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DiscussThe U.S. natural gas pipeline network is a highly integrated transmission and distribution grid that can transport natural gas to and from nearly any location in the lower 48 States. The natural gas pipeline grid is comprised of more than 210 natural gas pipeline systems and around 300,000 miles of interstate and intrastate transmission pipelines.
More than 1,400 compressor stations that maintain pressure on the natural gas pipeline network and assure continuous forward movement of supplies are in the US gas network, with over 11,000 delivery points, 5,000 receipt points, and 1,400 interconnection points that provide for the transfer of natural gas throughout the United States.
In addition, in the US there are 29 hubs or market centers that provide additional interconnections, 394 underground natural gas storage facilities, 55 locations where natural gas can be imported/exported via pipelines and 5 LNG (liquefied natural gas) import facilities and 100 LNG peaking facilities.
Two-thirds of the lower 48 States are almost totally dependent upon the interstate pipeline system for their supplies of natural gas.
On the interstate pipeline grid, the long-distance, wide-diameter (20-42 inch), high capacity trunklines carry most of the natural gas that is transported on the national network. In 2005, 85 percent of the 48 trillion cubic feet of gas transported throughout the United States moved through facilities owned by the major interstate pipeline companies. The 30 largest companies own about 77 percent of all interstate natural gas pipeline mileage and about 83 percent of the total capacity (148 billion cubic feet) available within the interstate natural gas pipeline network.
Some of the largest levels of pipeline capacity exist on those natural gas pipeline systems that link the natural gas production areas of the U.S. Southwest with the other regions of the country. Sixteen of the thirty largest U.S. natural gas pipeline systems originate in the Southwest Region, with four additional ones depending heavily upon supplies from the region.
Today, almost every major metropolitan area in the United States is supplied by, or is the final destination of, one or more of the major interstate pipeline companies or their affiliates. For instance,
New York City is a major delivery point on several of the largest pipeline systems, including:
· Texas Eastern Transmission Company
· Transcontinental Gas Company
· Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, and
· Iroquois Gas Transmission Company.
In the Midwest, Chicago, Illinois, is served by:
· Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America,
· Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company,
· ANR Pipeline Company,
· Alliance Pipeline Company, and
· Northern Border Pipeline Company.
Intrastate Natural Gas Pipeline Segment
Overview
Intrastate natural gas pipelines operate within State borders and link natural gas producers to local markets and to the interstate pipeline network. Approximately 29 percent of the total miles of natural gas pipeline in the U.S. are intrastate pipelines.
Although an intrastate pipeline system is defined as one that operates totally within a State, an intrastate pipeline company may have operations in more than one State. As long as these operations are separate, that is, they do not physically interconnect, they are considered intrastate, and are not jurisdictional to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). More than 90 intrastate natural gas pipelines operate in the lower-48 States.
Selected State Highlights ---
Texas:
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