El Paso Natural Gas
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Natural gas pipeline |
| Founded | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Colorado Springs , United States |
Area served | West Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Arizona, Mexico |
| Parent | Kinder Morgan, Inc. |
El Paso Natural Gas (EPNG) manages an extensive natural gas pipeline network spanning approximately 10,140 miles. This system transports gas originating from the Permian Basin in Texas and the San Juan Basin located across New Mexico and Colorado, delivering to consumers in West Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, California, and Arizona, with certain volumes exported into Mexico. The company’s headquarters are situated in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it operates as a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas.
History
California has traditionally represented EPNG’s core market. Nevertheless, since 2001, increased competition coupled with flat demand has diminished its footprint there, particularly within Southern California. In contrast, shipments directed to Arizona have grown, as EPNG was the exclusive pipeline provider to the rapidly expanding Phoenix region until early 2009, when the TransWestern Phoenix Lateral commenced service.
Key clients encompass:
- Southern California Gas Company (a division of Sempra Energy);
- Southwest Gas Corporation;
- Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
The company’s identification code with the FERC is 33.
In October 1945, in response to California’s declining reserves and projected demand growth, EPNG put forward a $25.4 million initiative to construct a 720-mile pipeline with a 26-inch diameter. This line would extend from the Permian Basin in Lea County, New Mexico, connecting to the Southern California Gas Company network at the Colorado River. The project also incorporated gathering lines, compressor stations, and gas purification plants. This pipeline officially began operations on November 13, 1947.
During the 1970s, EPNG underwent rebranding as the El Paso Company. In 1983, Burlington Northern, Inc. acquired it and later spun it off as a publicly traded entity in 1992. The company further expanded its market presence by acquiring Tenneco Energy in 1996 and Sonat, Inc. in 1999, solidifying its role within the natural gas pipeline sector.
Innovations
EPNG has been at the forefront of several technological advancements including:
- Deployment of high-pressure pipelines capable of long-distance transport
- Development of advanced pipeline welding techniques
- Implementation of large-scale gas-turbine-driven centrifugal compressors
- Processing natural gas to eliminate impurities
Historically, its gas treatment capacity surpassed that of all other interstate pipelines combined.
In 1967, El Paso collaborated with federal entities—the United States Atomic Energy Commission and the Bureau of Mines—on testing nuclear fracturing methods for gas reservoirs under Project Gasbuggy. While technically successful, this approach did not prove economically feasible.
Pipelines
- Tennessee Gas Pipeline: Integrated into EPNG’s operations through acquisition in 1996.
- Ruby Pipeline: Founded in 2010 as a joint venture subsidiary alongside Global Infrastructure Partners and Pacific Gas & Electric. The Ruby Pipeline entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2022.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Natural gas companies of the United States
- Kinder Morgan
- Natural gas pipelines in the United States
- Natural gas pipelines in Mexico
- Companies based in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Energy in Colorado
- Energy in New Mexico
- Petroleum in California
- Petroleum in Texas
- American companies established in 1928
- Non-renewable resource companies established in 1928
- 1928 establishments in Colorado
- Natural gas pipelines in Texas
- Natural gas pipelines in New Mexico
- Natural gas pipelines in Colorado
- Natural gas pipelines in Nevada
- Natural gas pipelines in California
- Natural gas pipelines in Arizona