Willbros Wins First Of Fayetteville Express Construction Contracts

Willbros Group Inc. has been awarded the construction contract for spreads three and four of the Fayetteville Express Pipeline (FEP). The approximately 185-mile natural gas pipeline will originate in Conway County, AR, continue eastward through White County, AR, and terminate at an interconnect with Trunkline Gas Company in Panola County, MS. FEP will parallel existing utility corridors where possible to minimize impact to the environment, communities and landowners. FEP is a joint venture between Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. The Willbros scope of work includes 120 miles of 42-inch pipeline, beginning near Bald Knob, AR and ending at the Trunkline interconnection. The project is expected to begin construction in April 2010 and be completed in October 2010.
  According to Energy Transfer Partners’ press office the remaining construction contracts have not yet been awarded.
  Randy Harl, President and Chief Executive Officer, remarked, “This is a significant project resulting from the continuing development of the Fayetteville region. The FEP award improves 2010 visibility for our U.S. pipeline construction business, and we remain convinced that current favorable economics, combined with the benefits natural gas provides to the environment, will drive build-out of take-away capacity in areas such as the Fayetteville, Haynesville and Marcellus shales. We anticipate additional U.S. pipeline construction opportunities for Willbros as new infrastructure will be required to transport hydrocarbons to regions with growing demand. We are pleased to have been selected and look forward to performing this project with FEP and its partners.”