TAMPA, Fla. — Williams (NYSE: WMB) today announced that it has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to construct and operate the Central New Jersey Expansion Project on its Transco natural gas pipeline system.
The expansion will provide an additional 105,000 dekatherms per day of firm natural gas transportation service in Transco's Northeastern market area.
“The need for natural gas continues to increase in this region of the United States. As a result, we are seeing more demand placed on the region’s existing pipeline infrastructure,” said Doug Whisenant, senior vice president of Williams’ natural gas pipeline business. “Smaller-scale projects like this one play a pivotal role in helping maintain firm access to supply.”
Approximately 3.5 miles of new 36-inch pipeline will be added along Transco’s existing pipeline system in Burlington County, N.J. Pending FERC approval, construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2005 and is expected to go into service in November 2005.
Williams’ Transco pipeline is a 10,500-mile natural gas pipeline system that extends from the Gulf Coast of Texas to the New York City metropolitan area. Pipeline deliveries from Transco account for more than half of the natural gas consumed in major metropolitan areas in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
About Williams (NYSE:WMB)
Williams, through its subsidiaries, primarily finds, produces, gathers, processes and transports natural gas. Williams’ gas wells, pipelines and midstream facilities are concentrated in the Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard. More information is available at http://www.williams.com.
Contact Information:
| Travis Campbell | Williams Investor Relations | 918-573-2944 | |
| Richard George | Williams Investor Relations | 918-573-3679 | |
| Gina Johnson | Williams Media Relations | 713-215-4243 |
