According to a company release, Iroquois Gas Transmission System’s 1.6-mile pipeline loop through parts of Newtown began flowing natural gas on November 14. The activation completes Phase I of its 08/09 Expansion Project placing that new  loop in-service.

Iroquois Gas Transmission System is the owner of an interstate pipeline extending 411 miles from the US-Canadian border at Waddington, N.Y., through the state of Connecticut to South Commack, Long Island, N.Y., and Hunts Point, Bronx, N.Y. The company is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Since going into operation in December 1991, Iroquois has more than doubled its design day throughput capacity, which will increase to 1.45 Bcf/d following the completion of the 08/09 Expansion Project. The pipeline is operated by the Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Iroquois.

The 08/09 Expansion Project, planned in three phases, will allow Iroquois to receive an additional 200 million cubic feet per day of natural gas at its interconnect with Algonquin Pipeline in Brookfield and deliver the volumes to National Grid’s KeySpan system at South Commack, Long Island.

Phase II, construction of two new 10,300 horsepower compressor units in Milford, is currently underway with a targeted in-service date of January 1, 2009. The third phase, construction of a second 10,300 horsepower compressor unit at Iroquois’ existing Brookfield Compressor Station in Brookfield, is expected to begin by year’s end.