Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline Inc. (Southern Star) has filed an application with the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct, install, modify, operate, and maintain a new compressor station in Osage County, Oklahoma. Known as the Cedar Vale Compression Station Project, Southern Star will install a new compressor station consisting of a 6091 hp (4543 kW) Solar Turbines Centaur 50 turbine and a C40 centrifugal compressor. The compressor station will be connected to Southern Star’s Line VN. This added compression will assist shippers in moving gas to the growing markets in and around Springfield, Joplin, Kansas City, and Topeka in Missouri and Kansas.
The Cedar Vale Compressor Station will be located between Southern Star’s existing Blackwell Station, to the west, and the Grabham Station, to the east. Southern Star’s existing pipeline segments, Lines VN and VU, transport gas between the two stations. The certificated horsepower at both of these existing facilities is close to fully utilized, limiting the amount of additional natural gas that can flow through the stations. Additionally, without added compression, an increase in demand on Lines VN and VU would cause the suction pressure at the Grabham Station to decrease, limiting the discharge pressure, and negatively affecting Southern Star’s overall ability to meet both current commitments and these future customer needs. Therefore, mere upgrades to these stations are insufficient to provide the additional capacity required to meet Southern Star’s new contract demands, the company said. The Cedar Vale Compressor Station will result in the creation of approximately 98,000 Dth/d of market area capacity and approximately 35,000 Dth/d of production area capacity.
Southern Star estimates the total cost of the project, including associated auxiliary and appurtenant facilities, to be approximately US$48.4 million. Assuming timely receipt of all necessary authorizations and permits, mobilization and construction of the project could begin as early as April 1, 2026, in order to meet a proposed December 1, 2026, in-service date.
