Frequently Asked Questions

The proposed Project is designed to expand Equitrans’ Mainline System, and in particular expand the capacity and delivery capabilities of its previously installed Ohio Valley Connector assets. 

The scope of facilities currently includes the following proposed pipeline, associated aboveground facilities, access roads, cathodic protection, staging areas, and contractor/laydown yards:

• removal of the existing 3606 compressor and addition of two Taurus 70 turbines at the existing Cygrymus Compressor Station with additional mechanical and electrical equipment to support the horsepower (HP) increase in Greene County, PA;
• addition of one Mars 100 compressor unit to support the sole existing Mars 100 compressor unit, at the extant Corona Compressor Station, with supplementary mechanical and electrical equipment to support the HP increase in Wetzel County, WV;
• addition of one Titan 130 to the two existing Taurus 70 compressor units at the existing Plasma Compressor Station with additional mechanical and electrical equipment to support the HP increase in Monroe County, OH;
• approximately 0.5 mile of 16-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline (H-327) in Greene County, PA;
• approximately 0.5 mile of 12-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline (H-328) in Greene County, PA;
• approximately 3.7 miles of 24-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline (H-326) in Wetzel County, WV;
• approximately 129 feet (0.02‑mile) of eight-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline (H-329) in Wetzel County, WV;
• approximately 0.7 mile of 16-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline (H-330) in Wetzel County, WV;
• approximately 0.09 mile of 16-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline (H-330 Spur) in Wetzel County, WV;
• approximately 160 feet (0.03 mile) of 12-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline (Logansport Spur) in Wetzel County, WV;
• one deep anode groundbed and rectifier for cathodic protection in Greene County, PA;
• additional ancillary facilities, such as a valve yard, taps, and internal inspection device (e.g., pig) launchers and receivers in Greene County, PA;
• additional ancillary facilities, such as mainline valves (MLVs), valve yards, measuring equipment, and internal inspection device (e.g., pig) launchers and receivers in Wetzel County, WV;
• new and existing temporary and permanent access roads, staging/parking areas, and contractor yards in Greene County, PA and Wetzel County, WV; and
• existing permanent access road in Monroe County, OH.

Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equitrans Midstream Corporation, based in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Equitrans has significant experience in designing, building, and operating natural gas pipelines in the Appalachian region; including extensive natural gas gathering, storage, and transmission operations that service western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia.

Equitrans’ transmission and storage system includes approximately 950 miles of FERC-regulated interstate pipelines that have interconnect points to seven interstate pipelines and multiple local distribution companies. At year-end 2020, our transmission and storage system was supported by 42 compressor units, with total throughput capacity of approximately 4.4 Bcf per day and compression of approximately 136,000 horsepower; and 18 associated natural gas storage reservoirs, which had a peak withdrawal capacity of approximately 900 MMcf per day and a working gas capacity of approximately 41 Bcf. In 2020, Equitrans’ transmission operations transmitted a daily average of 2,948 BBtu.

The proposed Project is designed to expand Equitrans’ Mainline System, and in particular expand the capacity and delivery capabilities of its previously installed Ohio Valley Connector assets.  The proposed Project will increase Equitrans’ capability to deliver natural gas volumes to take-away transmission pipelines in the Clarington area (including deliveries to the Rockies Express and Rover pipeline systems) by approximately 350,000 dekatherms per day, which will ultimately serve the need for additional volumes of natural gas in expanding mid-continent and Gulf Coast markets.  The proposed Project facilities are also designed to enhance the Mainline System’s hydraulics to create new receipt and delivery transportation paths and provide long-term receipt and delivery reliability (including for deliveries to the Texas Eastern, TC Energy, and Eastern Gas Transmission pipeline systems).

Equitrans designed the proposed Project to meet the needs of its current and future customers to serve markets in a timely, cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally-sensitive manner that minimizes incremental temporary and permanent impacts.

The route selection process is conducted in a deliberate and thoughtful manner, utilizing experience and expertise of industry professionals.  The pipeline route is designed to minimize the project’s impact on the environment, landowners, and communities.  As Equitrans refines the route during the planning and permitting process, it will consider a number of factors including landowner concerns, environmental issues, cultural resources, and constructability.  Wherever possible, Equitrans will parallel existing utility easements. Equitrans will work closely with interested parties, including our neighbors and local, state, and federal agencies in selecting the preferred route.

Once all appropriate approvals and permits have been received, pipeline construction will occur in phases. Equitrans will begin by clearing and grading the land. Then crews will string, weld, and install the pipe. Typically, the pipe is laid into a trench and then covered with a minimum of three feet of soil. The disturbed area will then be returned to original contours as practical, limed, seeded, fertilized, and mulched. Before operations begin, welds are x-rayed; the pipe is carefully inspected and hydrostatically tested as required by U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. The entire construction and installation process will be monitored by inspectors and will proceed as quickly and with as little impact as possible to the environment, landowners, and the community.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the federal government agency that regulates both the construction of interstate natural gas pipelines and the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce. Other federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), and the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will review relevant parts of the Project. In addition, a number of local and state agencies are participating in planning and permitting the project.

An easement provides an operator with a limited use of property for defined, specific purposes. The acquisition of an easement does not transfer ownership of the land to Equitrans; it does, however, give Equitrans the right of access for construction and maintenance and the safe operation of the OVCX Project.

A Landman is a professional who represents Equitrans, and is the primary contact with the landowners along a proposed pipeline route. The Landman’s role is to make certain a landowner receives useful information about the OVCX Project. If you are a landowner that may be involved with the Project, the Landman will be your primary contact.

Landowners are entitled to receive fair compensation for having a pipeline on their property. The goal of Equitrans is to obtain from the landowner the necessary land rights for the Project. During negotiations, Equitrans will work with the landowner to address specific concerns they may have about their property.