The Rockies Express Pipeline: A Comprehensive Overview of Its Operations and Services
The Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) is a natural gas pipeline that spans approximately 1,713 miles from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to eastern Ohio. It is one of the largest natural gas pipelines in the United States and plays a critical role in transporting natural gas from production areas in the Rockies to markets in the Midwest and Northeast.
Introduction
In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the REX pipeline, including its operations and services. We will discuss the history of the pipeline, its infrastructure, the benefits it provides to customers, and the impact it has on the natural gas industry.
History of the REX Pipeline
The REX pipeline was initially proposed in 2005 as a joint venture between Kinder Morgan, Sempra Pipelines and Storage, and ConocoPhillips. The project was designed to meet the growing demand for natural gas in the Midwest and Northeast, while also providing producers in the Rockies with access to new markets.
Construction on the REX pipeline started in 2008, and the pipeline became operational in 2009. The initial capacity of the pipeline was 1.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), but it has since been expanded to 2.6 Bcf/d through the addition of compression facilities.
Infrastructure of the REX Pipeline
The REX pipeline has a diameter of 42 inches and is capable of transporting natural gas at pressures of up to 1,480 pounds per square inch (psi). It has six compressor stations located along the route, which enable it to transport natural gas over long distances.
The pipeline is divided into three segments: the Rockies segment, the Midcontinent segment, and the Northeast segment. The Rockies segment spans from Colorado to Missouri and has a capacity of 1.5 Bcf/d. The Midcontinent segment spans from Missouri to Illinois and has a capacity of 1.2 Bcf/d. The Northeast segment spans from Ohio to Clarington, Pennsylvania, and has a capacity of 1.1 Bcf/d.
Benefits to Customers
The REX pipeline provides several benefits to its customers, including:
● Access to new markets: Producers in the Rockies now have access to markets in the Midwest and Northeast, which were previously difficult to reach.
● Increased supply: The pipeline has enabled producers in the Rockies to increase their natural gas production, which has helped to meet the growing demand for natural gas in the Midwest and Northeast.
● Lower prices: The REX pipeline has helped to reduce natural gas prices in the Midwest and Northeast by increasing supply and competition.
Impact on the Natural Gas Industry
The REX pipeline has had a significant impact on the natural gas industry, particularly in the Rockies region. The pipeline has enabled producers in the Rockies to access new markets, which has led to increased production and investment in the region.
The pipeline has also helped to reduce transportation costs for natural gas producers in the Rockies, as they no longer have to rely solely on expensive trucks or rail transportation to reach markets in the Midwest and Northeast.
Conclusion
The Rockies Express Pipeline is a critical piece of infrastructure that plays a key role in transporting natural gas from production areas in the Rockies to markets in the Midwest and Northeast. Its six compressor stations, three segments, and overall diameter of 42 inches make it an essential component of the natural gas industry.
Moreover, the REX pipeline has enabled producers in the Rockies to access new markets, increased supply, and lowered prices for consumers in the Midwest and Northeast. All in all, the REX pipeline is an excellent example of how modern infrastructure such as pipelines can have a massive impact on entire sectors of the economy.
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