Kinder Morgan finds shipper partner on UTOPIA project

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP received a long-term transportation agreement from Nova Chemicals Corp. to transport ethane and ethane-propane mixtures from the Utica shale area through its Utica To Ontario Pipeline Access (UTOPIA) system. UTOPIA is currently in a binding open season that will close Oct. 6.

According to a press release, Kinder Morgan plans to develop, construct, own and operate a 240-mile, 12-inch-diameter pipeline from Harrison County, Ohio, to its Cochin Pipeline near Riga, Mich., as part of the UTOPIA project. Kinder Morgan would then move product eastward to Windsor, Ontario, Canada. UTOPIA would have an initial capacity of 50,000 barrels per day.