| The Rockies Express pipelines represent one | | | | Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent, Canada and imports |
| of the most challenging long-term projects | | | | of liquefied natural gas (LNG). But these |
| that have been put into practice in North | | | | supplies are diminishing significantly and |
| America. Summing up 1,678 miles, the project | | | | steadily because of several factors. One |
| involves the necessary infrastructure for | | | | example would be hurricanes which have |
| producers in the Rocky Mountains to evaluate | | | | permanently been affecting America lately. |
| their assets at their true value. To state it | | | | This situation rose the necessity of an extra |
| clear, this means the great possibility to | | | | source of natural gas for the country. |
| deliver natural gas to businesses in key | | | | |
| regions of the country: East and Midwest. The | | | | The second reason for Kinder Morgan pipelines |
| project is also referred to as Kinder Morgan | | | | to be built is constituted by Wyoming that is |
| pipelines owing to the main associate in the | | | | claimed to be the first region as far as the |
| project who provides most of the finances.. | | | | growth of natural gas supplies is concerned. |
| | | | It currently occupies the third place among |
| The pipelines start their way at Meeker Hub | | | | the natural gas producers whose supplies are |
| in Rio Blanco County, Colorado and they go as | | | | mostly exported. Actually, only 5% of the |
| far as the Clarington Hub in eastern Ohio. A | | | | total amount of production is provided to |
| great characteristic is that the Rockies | | | | American consumers. Moreover, constant |
| Express pipelines try to go in parallel with | | | | production of natural gas is developing in |
| already existing service passages as much as | | | | Utah and Colorado. For all this quantity of |
| possible. The immediate consequence is the | | | | natural gas up-to-date pipelines are a must. |
| significant abridgement in costs that are | | | | |
| normally necessary to acquire additional | | | | Another reason for which the infrastructure |
| right-of-way. But they are also important | | | | should be enlarged is represented by the |
| insofar as avoiding disruptions is concerned. | | | | estimated figures of natural gas demand. |
| | | | Experts claim it to rise up to 50% by 2020. |
| The Kinder Morgan pipelines have already | | | | Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for the |
| accomplished part of the project, meaning 136 | | | | American consumers to have a stable and |
| miles, which have been approved in February | | | | secure supply or natural gas. And this can be |
| 2006, completed recently and it is already | | | | attained by means of the Rockies Express |
| being used. This specific sector starts from | | | | pipelines. As a matter of fact, it is |
| the Meeker Hub in Rio Blanco County, Colorado | | | | projected to transport 1.8 billion cubic feet |
| and finishes in the Wamsutter Hub in | | | | of natural gas per day from Wyoming and Rocky |
| Sweetwater County Wyo. Another portion of the | | | | Mountain surroundings to consumers in the |
| Rockies Express pipelines has been approved | | | | Midwest and East. |
| and it is estimated to be finishes in January | | | | |
| 2008. The rest of the project is expected to | | | | Last, but not least, supplementary |
| end in 2009. | | | | infrastructure of the Kinder Morgan pipelines |
| | | | system it will enable other projects to be |
| At the beginning, most people asked | | | | developed later on. A significantly larger |
| themselves why t was necessary to build the | | | | gas market will lead to steady gas prices and |
| Rockies Express pipelines. A first answer is | | | | revenue stream in the States. Consequently, a |
| to serve the needs of the nation. In a | | | | steady market of the industry will soon |
| nutshell, consumers from Midwest and East are | | | | establish without the present fluctuations. |
| provided with natural gas coming from the | | | | |