BC Gas extends open season deadline

BC Gas Inc. is allowing companies wanting to purchase capacity on its proposed Inland Pacific Connector Pipeline an extra week to submit their bids.
The deadline for the open season on the proposed new pipeline has been extended to June 14.

An "open season" is a process where interested parties can review the costs, terms and conditions for transportation service on the pipeline and decide if they want to make a commitment to purchase capacity on the line.

"Interest in our open season has been very high but several shippers have told us more time was needed to prepare a proper submission. We want to be flexible and responsive to customer needs so we are extending the deadline until June 14," said Rich Ballantyne, BC Gas director of transmission and project development.

The proposed Inland Pacific Connector Pipeline will link the recently- built Southern Crossing Pipeline in Oliver to the regional marketing hub in Huntingdon. This new pipeline would increase the supply of natural gas to the Lower Mainland and help prevent dramatic price increases like those experienced last winter.

The 246-kilometre Inland Pacific Connector Pipeline and related facilities will cost approximately $495 million. Once regulatory approvals are obtained, BC Gas hopes to have the pipeline in service by late 2003.

Companies can e-mail BC Gas at ipc_info(at)bcgas.com to obtain an information package about capacity on the Inland Pacific Connector Pipeline.

BC Gas Inc. is a leading provider of energy and utility services in western Canada through its two principal operating subsidiaries, BC Gas Utility Ltd. and Trans Mountain Pipe Line Company Ltd., and through a number of non-regulated related businesses. BC Gas Utility is the largest distributor of natural gas in British Columbia, serving 764,000 customers.