The Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) is one of the biggest pipelines ever constructed in the U.S. Becoming fully operational on Nov. 12, 2009, the 1,300-mile pipeline stretches from northwestern Colorado to eastern Ohio. It has a system capacity of 1.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) and 11 compressor stations (see statistics charts).

The pipeline is a joint venture of Kinder Morgan (51%), Sempra Pipelines and Storage (25%), and ConocoPhillips (24%). Kinder Morgan is the operator, according to Hart Energy Mapping and Data Services.

Divided into three sections, REX handles the transportation of gas from the Rocky Mountains eastward, helping meet the growing demand for natural gas in the Midwest and eastern parts of the country. REX West is a 713-mile pipeline from Weld County, Colorado, to Audrain County, Missouri, and has a capacity of 1.5 Bcf/d. REX East runs 638 miles from Audrain County to Monroe County, Ohio (see map).

The third section, Entrega, was formerly known as the Entrega Pipeline. It is a FERC-certificated 328-mile pipeline that was purchased by Rockies Express Pipeline LLC in February 2006. Now part of the REX system, it runs from the Meeker Hub in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, to the Cheyenne Hub in Weld County, Colorado.

According to Hart Energy Mapping and Data Services, Encana Marketing (USA) Inc. is its highest transport customer with just over 1 million Dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of capacity; followed by ConocoPhillips with 400,000 Dth/d. Rounding out the Top 10 are BP Energy Co. with 300,000 Dth/d; Wyoming Interstate Co., Ultra Resources Inc., and Sempra Rockies Marketing LLC with 200,000 Dth/d; followed by Williams Gas Marketing Inc. with 165,000 Dth/d; EDF Trading North America LLC with 89,000 Dth/d; EOG Resources with 50,000 Dth/d; and Yates Petroleum Corp. with 43,000 Dth/d (see Ranked Averages chart).

Throughout the year REX’s interconnection at Enterprise’s Meeker Hub was the most active receipt point. The most active delivery point was the TENN/REX interconnection in Guernsey, Wyoming.

Contact the author, Rebecca Torrellas, at rtorrellas@hartenergy.com.