Sabal Trail Gas Transmission Pipeline

This article is part of the Global Fossil Infrastructure Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.

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Sabal Trail Gas Transmission Pipeline is an operating natural gas pipeline in the southern United States.

Location

The pipeline runs from Alexander City, Alabama, to Reunion, Florida.

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Project Details

• Operator: Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC (100%)
• Owner: Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC (100%)
• Parent: Enbridge (50%), Nextera Energy (42.5%), Duke Energy (7.5%)
• Capacity: 830 million cubic feet per day
• Length: 516 miles / 830 km
• Diameter: 24-inches, 36-inches
• Cost: US$3.2 billion
• Status: Operating
• Start Year: 2017

Background

The project was developed in three phases. Sabal Trail Project Phase I included approximately 516 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline (86 miles in Alabama, 162 miles in Georgia, 268 miles in Florida) and, initially, at least two compressor stations at the beginning and end of the pipeline system. A total of five stations along the pipeline was constructed by 2021. The entire pipeline will be capable of transporting one billion cubic feet per day or more of natural gas to serve local distribution companies, industrial users and natural gas-fired power generators in the Southeast markets.

Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC (“Sabal Trail” is a joint venture of Enbridge, NextEra Energy, Inc. and Duke Energy and Duke Energy of Florida ("DEF").

The Phase I of the pipeline entered commercial operation in June 2017.

Environmental Concerns and Protests

In October 2014, a group of residents demonstrated protest against the pipeline. In July 2015, around 40 protesters gathered at the Sabal Gas Transmission office citing concerns regarding the proximity of the pipelines with residential areas. In November 2016, protesters gathered at the pipeline construction site raising awareness regarding pollution problems and possible threats to Georgia's water, residents, downstream aquatic life and animals. The demonstration was sponsored by WWALS Watershed Coalition. Environmental concerns were raised against the project stating that the project threatened habitats of endangered species including crocodiles, manatees and sea turtles along its route.

FERC ruling on GHG emissions

In August 2017 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that FERC failed to adequately consider climate impacts before approving the project. In February 2018 FERC completed a supplementary review of the pipeline's impact and found that it would cause a 3.6 to 9.9 percent increase over Florida's 2015 emissions. FERC has declined to set a standard for what constitutes "significant" impact on climate change, and in March 2018 FERC by a 3-2 vote reauthorized the pipeline.

Financing

In April 2018, refinancing of the project's debt took place with the issuing of US$1.5 billion in bonds arranged by MUFG, Mizuho, Barclays and Citi. The amount of initial financing and its sources for the US$3.2 billion project are not known.

Expansion Projects

Sabal Trail Project, Phase II

The expansion project will effect Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, USA. It will deliver natural gas to Florida Power and Light (FPL) and Duke Energy of Florida (DEF). It does not include adding any additional miles of pipeline.

• Operator: Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC (100%)
• Owner: Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC (100%)
• Parent: Enbridge (50%), Nextera Energy (42.5%), Duke Energy (7.5%)
• Capacity: 170 million cubic feet per day
• Length:
• Status: Operating
• Start Year: 2020

Florida Power and Light Expansion Project/Phase III

According to the U.S.'s Energy Information Administration (EIA), the expansion will deliver natural gas to Florida Power and Light (FPL) and Duke Energy of Florida (DEF). The expansion project has been approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and will add 75 million cubic feet per day. The expansion will pass through Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

This phase of the project was scheduled to begin service on May 01, 2021. On April 7, 2021, Sabal Trail filed a request for an extension of time, until May 1, 2023, to complete construction of the project and place Phase III of the remaining facilities—two compressor units—into service. FERC granted that requested extension of time . On March 10, 2023, Sabal Trail Transmission LLC again requested the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to grant an extension of time, until May 1, 2025, to complete Phase III of their Sabal Trail Project.

• Operator: Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC (100%)
• Owner: Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC (100%)
• Parent: Enbridge (50%), Nextera Energy (42.5%), Duke Energy (7.5%)
• Capacity: 75 million cubic feet per day
• Length:
• Status: Proposed/Delayed
• Start Year: 2025