Black Bear Transmission Places Ozark Supply Access Project In-Service
April 18 2024 - 10:48AM
Business Wire
Black Bear Transmission LLC (“Black Bear Transmission”) is
pleased to announce its subsidiary Ozark Gas Transmission (“Ozark
Transmission”) placed its Supply Access Project (the “Project”)
in-service on April 8, 2024.
The Project consists of: (i) 2 miles of natural gas loop
pipeline; (ii) a new compressor station and two new pipeline
interconnects. The Project was undertaken to enhance gas supply
reliability for Ozark shippers in response to disruptions
experienced during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021. These
additional facilities will create access to new supply
interconnections with major interstate pipelines from the east end
of the Ozark Transmission system.
Ozark Transmission’s three largest customers, Arkansas Oklahoma
Gas (AOG), Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC), and
Black Hills Energy signed long-term transportation agreements to
support the Project.
“AOG is excited to benefit from Black Bear Transmission’s Ozark
pipeline project,” said J.T. Toys, Senior Director of Gas Supply
& Transportation for AOG. “The completion of this project
supports AOG’s mission to provide safe and reliable natural gas
service to homes and businesses for our customers. AOG will now
have expanded access to natural gas infrastructure, elevating the
reliability of our service and helping to stabilize natural gas
prices. Projects like this only occur when industry stakeholders
collaborate and prioritize customer satisfaction with the goal of
achieving the best results for our consumers.”
“AECC appreciates the increased flexibility with supply options
and improved reliability the completion of the project is expected
to bring for delivering natural gas to two of its power plants,”
added Andrew Lachowsky, AECC’s VP of Market Operations.
Black Hills offered the following statement: “Black Hills Energy
is grateful for the business partnership with Ozark
Transmission/Black Bear in finding solutions to address our goals
of securing safe and reliable natural gas solutions for our
customers.”
“This is one of the many examples of how we work with our
customers to identify and implement solutions that ensure reliable
service to the communities and facilities they serve,” said Scott
Langston, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for
Black Bear. “We are proud to complete this effort.”
“This was a fantastic win for both our team and our Ozark
Transmission customers,” added Rene Casadaban, Chief Executive
Officer of Black Bear. “This project highlights Black Bear
Transmission’s ability to utilize its existing pipeline
infrastructure network to enhance services to customers while
minimizing environmental impact. I am pleased with the successful
execution of this project through the contracting, permitting,
regulatory, and construction phases and would like to thank
everyone involved for their contributions.”
About Black Bear
Black Bear Transmission, LLC is a Basalt portfolio company that
transports and delivers natural gas from various pipeline receipt
points to utility, power generation and industrial customers in the
Southeast United States. Black Bear owns and operates 12 regulated
natural gas pipelines stretching approximately 1,800 miles with
total delivery capacity of more than 2.6 Bcf per day. The pipelines
are connected to 18 major long-haul pipelines ensuring reliable gas
supply to customers across Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Black Bear
Transmission LLC is headquartered in Houston, TX.
For more information, please visit www.blackbearllc.com.
About Basalt
Basalt is the investment advisor to infrastructure equity
investment funds focusing on mid-market investments in utilities,
power, transport, and communications infrastructure in North
America and Europe. Current investments in North America by funds
advised by Basalt include Black Bear Transmission, Habitat Solar,
Xpress Natural Gas, Skyway Towers, Helios Power, Fatbeam, and
Fortbrand.
For more information, please visit www.basaltinfra.com
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Rene Casadaban 281.955.4800 media@blackbearllc.com