Transwestern Pipeline Co. (Transwestern) has filed an application with the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct a new compressor station in Chaves County, New Mexico (WT-0 CS). The purpose of the project is to provide additional firm transportation capacity up to 80,000 MMBtu/d of natural gas through Transwestern’s West Texas Lateral Central Zone flowing in the northern direction. This would increase the current capacity from 750,000 to 830,000 MMBtu/d. The expansion would be achieved by the installation of the proposed WT-0 CS on the West Texas Lateral. The incremental capacity would be delivered up Transwestern’s Panhandle Lateral utilizing existing open capacity. The project increases access to markets for production in the Permian Basin.
In order to ensure receipt and deliveries of the transportation quantities at the required pressures, Transwestern is proposing to construct, modify, install, own, and operate WT-0 CS. This new compressor station will include one new Solar Mars 90 gas turbine-driven compressor unit providing 13,220 hp (9862 kW); one natural-gas-driven micro turbine for on-site power generation; process gas cooling; one backup generator; oily water, condensate, and sump tanks; and associated buildings and appurtenances. The compressor station will be capable of remote starting, remote set point operation and alarm status monitoring, and remote stopping.
The project also includes the construction of metering facilities, including an inlet filter separator and fuel gas measurement skid. CT-0 CS will tie-in to Transwestern’s existing 24-inch (609-mm) dual lateral pipeline in its existing corridor.
