TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Williams (NYSE: WMB) announced today that it has acquired and placed into service the 16-inch Norphlet deepwater gathering pipeline system constructed by Shell Offshore Inc. (Shell), operator, and CNOOC Petroleum Offshore U.S.A. Inc. (CNOOC) extending 54 miles from the Shell-operated Appomattox Floating Production System in 7,400-feet of water to the Transco Main Pass 261A junction platform, located approximately 60 miles south of Mobile, Alabama. First gas delivery date occurred on June 22, 2019.
The acquisition extends the reach of the Williams pipeline network by connecting Williams’ existing Transco offshore pipeline lateral to the prolific Jurassic play developed by Shell and CNOOC in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
“We are excited to participate in this Jurassic development with Shell and CNOOC,” said Alan Armstrong, president and chief executive officer of Williams. “Shell has exhibited a tremendous history of successful large-scale developments across the Gulf of Mexico and early indications here are for that to continue in this Jurassic play with their additional discoveries.”
The Norphlet deepwater gas gathering pipeline system, which is capable of gathering an estimated 261 to 291 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of natural gas, connects more than 33,000 acres of dedicated leases, to Williams’ Mobile Bay processing facility via the Transco lateral at the Main Pass 261A junction platform. The completed project also included the installation of a spare subsea connector for additional floating production system volumes, as well as modifications to Williams’ Mobile Bay processing facility including a 118% expansion to the slug handling capacity and a 329% increase in stabilizing capacity.
The Norphlet deepwater gas gathering system is well-positioned for future growth with approximately 50% of the pipeline’s contractual capacity remaining available for future producer discoveries in the area.
About Williams
Williams (NYSE: WMB) is a premier provider of large-scale infrastructure connecting U.S. natural gas and natural gas products to growing demand for cleaner fuel and feedstocks. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Williams is an industry-leading, investment grade C-Corp with operations across the natural gas value chain including gathering, processing, interstate transportation and storage of natural gas and natural gas liquids. With major positions in top U.S. supply basins, Williams owns and operates more than 30,000 miles of pipelines system wide – including Transco, the nation’s largest volume and fastest growing pipeline – providing natural gas for clean-power generation, heating and industrial use. Williams’ operations handle approximately 30% of U.S. natural gas. www.williams.com
Portions of this document may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined by federal law. Although the company believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the “safe harbor” protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the company’s annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
