Natural gas pipeline company Spectra Energy Corp. said Wednesday it will expand its capacity so ConocoPhillips can send Rocky Mountain natural gas to the northeastern U.S.
Under terms of an agreement between the two companies, Spectra will expand its Texas Eastern Transmission pipeline so ConocoPhillips can ship up to 395 million cubic feet per day of Rocky Mountain natural gas that has reached Clarington, Ohio, to the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Corp. pipeline system in York County, Pa. From there it will be transported to northeastern markets.

Spectra said the expansion, which includes 33 miles of new pipeline from Marietta, Pa., to a point near Delta, Pa., will cost more than $500 million.

Shipments of natural gas are expected to begin in November 2010.

The plan requires the agreement of landowners and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.