Union Gas and Gaz Métro announce joint open season for Parkway Extension Project

Firm transportation capacity between Albion and Maple starting as early as Nov. 1, 2015

CHATHAM, ON and MONTREAL, July 31, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas and Gaz Métro Limited Partnership ("Gaz Métro") are holding a binding open season to solicit market support for firm transportation capacity originating from a new interconnect at Enbridge Gas Distribution's system at Albion, to a new interconnect with TransCanada PipeLines ("TransCanada") at or near Maple, Ontario (the "Parkway Extension Project").

The Parkway Extension Project will provide firm transportation capacity of up to 1,200,000 GJ/d from Albion to Maple with capacity as of November 1, 2016.  A portion of this capacity is expected to be available in 2015 at a new interconnect with TransCanada south of Maple at Vaughan, Ontario.  In addition, Union Gas will provide firm transportation capacity of up to 750,000 GJ/d from the Dawn Market Hub (Dawn) to Parkway with interconnects to both TransCanada and Enbridge Gas Distribution starting as early as November 1, 2016.

The Parkway Extension Project is connected to Enbridge Gas Distribution's proposed GTA Project, which involves construction of a pipeline from Union Gas Parkway to Albion in 2015.

"Changing North American supply dynamics have increased market demand for Dawn to Parkway system transportation capacity, and customers are seeking the security of supply and affordability offered by natural gas sourced at the Dawn Hub," said Mark Isherwood, vice president of business development, storage and transmission at Union Gas.

The combination of these offerings provides shippers with natural gas demands in central, northern and eastern Ontario, Québec and the U.S. a new transportation option through the constrained Parkway to Maple transportation corridor and access to the security, diversity and affordability of supply of natural gas from the Dawn Market Hub.  Shippers in Ontario, Québec and the U.S. may also access Marcellus supplies from Niagara and Chippawa through Union Gas' interconnection with TransCanada at Kirkwall.

"The Parkway Extension Project will enhance Ontario and Québec's ability to access secure, diverse and competitive supply sources which will continue to support growing economies in both provinces and the increasing demand for affordable and reliable energy," said Patrick Cabana, vice president of gas supply, procurement and regulatory affairs at Gaz Métro.

The Dawn Market Hub, one of the fastest growing market hubs in North America, is the largest integrated natural gas storage facility in Canada and one of the biggest in North America. Storage and transmission facilities at the Dawn Market Hub are fully integrated into the North American supply and transportation system providing shippers with price stability and diversity and security of supply.

The binding open season runs from July 31, 2013, through Sept 12, 2013. For more information visit www.uniongas.com/openseason.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the fastest growing liquid market hub in North America with the largest underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America.  The Dawn Hub offers customers an important link in the movement of natural gas from Western Canadian and U.S. supply basins to markets in central Canada and the northeast U.S. One of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2013, Union Gas is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com.

About Gaz Métro
With more than $5 billion in assets, Gaz Métro is a leading energy provider. It is the largest natural gas distribution company in Quebec, where its 10,000 km underground network of pipelines serves 300 municipalities and more than 185,000 customers. Gaz Métro is also present in Vermont, producing electricity and distributing electricity and natural gas to cater to the needs to some 300,000 customers. Gaz Métro is actively involved in the development of innovative, sustainability-oriented energy projects such as the production of wind power, the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and the development of biomethane as a renewable energy source. Gaz Métro is committed to ensuring the satisfaction of its customers, providing support to businesses, local organizations, families and communities, and meeting the needs of its partners (Gaz Métro inc. and Valener) and employees. www.gazmetro.com

SOURCE: Union Gas Limited

Union Gas     
Andrea Stass
Ph: 519 436-5490
Cell: 519 365-1010
[email protected]

Gaz Métro 
Marie-Christine Demers
Tél. [phone]
Cell: 514.212.7336 
[email protected]