Strong interest in Nova Scotia gas capacity

Potential customers have indicated strong interest in added natural gas transmission capacity for the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline in 2007 and 2008, the company said April 26.

An open season for the pipeline connecting Nova Scotia to the Boston area brought an interest in deliveries of 1.5 billion cubic feet daily for that period, the company said. The open season was conducted from Feb. 15 through March 31.

Maritimes plans to increase its capacity in both Canada and the United States to meet the market demand, working to finalize transportation agreements by June 1, and then make regulatory filings later this year for expansion of the 850 mile (1,365 kilometer) line, which currently can carry 530 million cubic feet daily.

The pipeline carries gas from the Sable field off Nova Scotia. It could also carry natural gas from LNG terminals planned for St. Johns, New Brunswick, Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, and Goldboro, Nova Scotia.

Duke Energy is the lead owner of the pipeline with 77.53 percent. Emera Inc. has 12.93 percent and Exxon Mobil Corp. the remaining 9.55 percent.

—Petroleum News