Williams to resume Louisiana gas line construction

US natural gas pipeline company Williams on Friday told federal energy regulators it will proceed with construction of its delayed 1.8 Bcf/d (51mn m³/d) Louisiana Energy Gateway (LEG) gas gathering line in Louisiana.

Williams' letter of intent to the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the culmination of a series of lawsuits across multiple Louisiana parishes brought by US midstream rival Energy Transfer, which seeks to stop Williams and two other pipeline companies from crossing its own gas line in the Haynesville shale.

While Williams is still waiting on a final ruling over two crossings in Vernon Parish, its recent legal victories over Energy Transfer and acquisition of necessary federal permits and easements from landowners have made it possible to commence construction of LEG, Williams said. The final ruling out of Vernon Parish will be decided "soon," Williams said.

Williams said it intends to release its contractor to resume pre-construction activities along its right-of-way as early as 25 July, then proceed with construction.

"But for the crossing litigation with Energy Transfer, construction of [LEG] would be well underway," Williams said.

The litigation has pushed Williams' expected in-service date for LEG from late 2024 to the second half of 2025.

Williams prevailed over Energy Transfer earlier this month in DeSoto Parish and in early June in Beauregard Parish.

By Julian Hast