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FERC allows Rover Pipeline to finish drilling in 8 places on $4.2B line

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FERC allows Rover Pipeline to finish drilling in 8 places on $4.2B line

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission allowed Energy Transfer Partners LP's Rover Pipeline LLC to move forward with remaining horizontal drilling activities at eight locations on the route of its 3.25-Bcf natural gas pipeline project out of the Marcellus and Utica shales.

FERC issued the authorization in a Dec. 14 letter. The $4.2 billion pipeline is designed to move gas west from the Marcellus and Utica shales to Midwest and Canadian markets.

FERC said the authorization does not affect the investigation of the commission's Office of Enforcement into drilling fluid contamination at the Tuscarawas River in Ohio. In May, FERC stopped horizontal drilling, a pipeline-installation technique often used to cross under streams and rivers, in different locations after Rover spilled drilling fluids into Ohio wetlands. The following investigations and regulatory requirements from FERC and Ohio have delayed construction. FERC has since allowed Rover to resume drilling in certain locations.

In late November, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency asked Rover to pause drilling operations and asked FERC for help in enforcing this, after the agency cited the company for new environmental violations related to the release of drilling fluids into state waters. Rover said its activities complied with FERC and Ohio plans.

The pieces of the Rover pipeline project are dropping into place. On Dec. 8, FERC authorized Rover to begin service on remaining units at the Mainline Compressor Station 1 in Carroll County, Ohio. Rover has estimated full commercial service on the entire 511-mile pipeline will start at the end of the first quarter of 2018. (FERC docket CP15-93)