Oklahoma-based Williams Partners is seeking regulatory nod to undertake the Rivervale South to Market project to deliver 190,000 dekatherms per day natural gas through its Transco pipeline to the northeastern US markets.

In this regard, its subsidiary Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company (Transco) has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the approval of its $127m Rivervale South to Market project.

Upon completion, the project is expected to cater to the increasing demand for heating and power generation for northeastern consumers located mainly in New Jersey and New York.

Williams Partners Atlantic – Gulf operating area senior vice president Frank Ferazzi said: “The demand for clean-burning, affordable natural gas continues to climb, particularly in markets like New Jersey and New York City.

“The Rivervale South to Market project is especially attractive because it leverages existing Transco pipeline infrastructure, helping meet our customers’ energy needs by upgrading existing facilities, resulting in a very limited project footprint.”

Subject to the FERC approval, Williams Partners aims to make the Rivervale South to Market project ready for the 2019/2020 winter heating season.

The Rivervale South to Market project will see Williams Partners upgrading 16.6km of the existing Transco pipeline. It will also have an additional pipeline loop of nearly 1km along with upgrades and modifications to the available pipeline facilities, all located in New Jersey.

Williams Partners says that Transco had reached precedent agreements with Direct Energy Business Marketing and UGI Energy Services for firm transportation service of the natural gas from the Rivervale South to Market project.

Direct Energy Business Natural Gas Operations Group vice president Steve Haugenes said: “New York City and northern New Jersey continue to be important growing markets for our vibrant commercial, industrial and wholesale businesses.

“Firming up volumes that have been flowing on a secondary basis will enable us to better meet the reliability standards that our customers demand.”

According to Williams Partners, the Transco pipeline is the largest interstate natural gas transmission pipeline system. Through its 16,415km long pipeline network, Transco delivers natural gas to a dozen Southeast and Atlantic Seaboard states in the US.