Growth Projects: Appalachian Expansion Project

A new natural gas compressor station proposed by Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation will increase the opportunities for natural gas producers in southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky to get their gas to market and increase tax revenues for Lincoln County, West Virginia.

  • With its Appalachian Expansion Project, Columbia Gas Transmission (TCO) plans to build a new 9,470 horsepower compressor station on property it owns about 11 miles outside of Hamlin, W.Va.
  • If approved by federal regulators, the facility will connect to TCO’s existing 16-inch diameter transmission line in the area. The station, a $40 million investment in West Virginia’s energy infrastructure, will benefit the area by significantly reducing current restraints to bring locally produced gas to market, incrementally increasing supplies to market by 100,000 dekatherms per day.
  • Approximately 70 people are expected to be employed during the construction phase of the project, bringing in substantial revenue to boost the local economy.  The new facility is estimated to provide in excess of $500,000 in initial property tax benefits to the county.
  • The location for the proposed compressor station is a 26-acre site owned by Columbia on McComas Ridge. Though not used due to a change in the scope of a previous project, the property was the site for a proposed compressor station in Columbia's application filed with and approved by the Commission in Docket No. CP96-213, et al.
  • Columbia Transmission plans to make improvements to the rural county road leading to the site in order to bring in the equipment. Customers have requested a November 1, 2009, in service. 
  • Natural gas compressor stations are placed at intervals along natural gas pipelines to boost pressure and enable more volumes of gas to flow through the pipeline. The station footprint itself will encompass about a half-acre on the site amidst the existing pasture and woodlands. It will consist of a Compressor Building, which will house two 4,735 hp natural gas-fueled reciprocating compressor units, an Auxiliary Building to house controls and associated equipment, and other equipment in the yard.
  • The station will be automated and will be maintained by TCO employees who work out the company’s St. Albans and other southern West Virginia locations.
  • Columbia submitted its application for the proposed project to the Commission on February 29, 2008. The project has been assigned Docket CP08-85.
  • More information about Columbia Gas Transmission’s Appalachian Expansion Project is available by calling 1-866-701-9582.