Tallgrass Energy declared a binding open season on its Trailblazer project, taking another step toward converting the 400-mile natural gas pipeline into a CO2 transport line.
Tallgrass, an energy infrastructure company based in Denver, will operate the Trailblazer CO2 Pipeline. The open season seeks commitments for transporting customers’ captured CO2 in Nebraska in exchange for incentive tariff rates. The season started May 3 and will run for 21 days.
The line runs across Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado. According to the proposal, the CO2 would be stored in geologic formations in Wyoming.
Trailblazer has garnered attention as the energy industry considers CO2 transport and storage as one possible solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Tallgrass’ proposed pipeline conversion in October 2023. FERC noted in its approval that some property owners along the pipeline’s path opposed the project because of safety concerns. Some groups also complained about potential environmental concerns.
FERC could not rule on the environmental concerns of transporting CO2. The commission stated it did not have jurisdiction over CO2 transport and could only rule on Tallgrass’ request to convert the pipeline from carrying natural gas to CO2.
On April 9, Tallgrass and Bold Alliance announced a “community benefits agreement” that created several community initiatives and landowner protection rights for the Trailblazer pipeline’s life cycle.
Bold Alliance is a network of rural state environmental groups concerned with land and water issues, according to the group’s website. The agreement included $500,000 in funding for non-profit groups in counties along the path. Another $600,000 was set aside for the training and equipping of first responders in the area and $100,000 will go toward a public safety notification system.
Prospective shippers may review details of the open season after executing a confidentiality agreement obtained by contacting Tallgrass Senior Director of Origination Jeff Schaefer at Jeff.Schaefer@Tallgrass.com.
Recommended Reading
US Drillers Cut Most Oil Rigs in a Week Since November
2024-04-26 - The number of oil rigs fell by five to 506 this week, while gas rigs fell by one to 105, their lowest since December 2021.
TPH: Lower 48 to Shed Rigs Through 3Q Before Gas Plays Rebound
2024-03-13 - TPH&Co. analysis shows the Permian Basin will lose rigs near term, but as activity in gassy plays ticks up later this year, the Permian may be headed towards muted activity into 2025.
US Drillers Add Most Oil, Gas Rigs in a Week Since September
2024-03-15 - The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose by seven to 629 in the week to March 15.
US Drillers Add Oil, Gas Rigs for First Time in Four Weeks: Baker Hughes
2024-05-17 - The oil and gas rig count rose by one to 604 in the week to May 17.
US Oil, Gas Rig Count Rises to Highest Since September: Baker Hughes
2024-03-01 - The U.S. oil and natural gas rig count is at its highest since September 2023.