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Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Delivers Major New Natural Gas Supply for Atlantic Canada and New England

Enhanced Diversity of Supply and Reduced Transportation Rates in Tenth Year of Operations

July 15, 2009

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia and WALTHAM, Mass. - In its tenth year of operations, Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline (Maritimes) announced today it has commenced receipt and redelivery of natural gas from another major new source of natural gas supply, the CanaportTM liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Saint John, New Brunswick. 

The arrival of this LNG is a historic event for the North American natural gas industry and the Maritimes pipeline system.  Since first gas flow from offshore Nova Scotia in 1999, Maritimes has made major advancements in supply diversity, adding onshore natural gas and now imported LNG. 

In January, Maritimes placed into service its latest phase of development, the Phase IV Expansion project, to facilitate delivery of natural gas from the CanaportTM LNG terminal to markets in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Atlantic Canada.  The project, built under a long-term firm service contract with Repsol Energy North America (Repsol), doubles Maritimes' U.S. year-round firm mainline capacity from approximately 400 million cubic feet per day to approximately 800 million cubic feet per day.  

"We welcome Repsol as a major new supplier and shipper of natural gas on the Maritimes system," said Tina Faraca, president of Maritimes.  "The addition of imported LNG realizes another milestone in the history of Maritimes and our efforts to add incremental supplies from diverse sources to ensure our markets have access to ample natural gas."

While Maritimes' 25-year firm service contract with Repsol is under a negotiated rate, completion of the Phase IV Expansion has also allowed Maritimes to reduce its mainline recourse rates.  Maritimes has filed a rate application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requesting an effective date of August 1, 2009 for the reduction to its recourse rate.

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline is owned by affiliates of Spectra Energy (77.53 percent), Emera Inc. (12.92 percent) and Exxon Mobil Corporation (9.55 percent). Maritimes maintains offices in Halifax, Nova Scotia and in Waltham, Massachusetts, with operations centers located in Fredericton, New Brunswick; New Glasgow, Nova Scotia; and Richmond, Brewer and Baileyville, Maine.

Media Contacts: 

Marylee Hanley
617-560-1573
713-627-4747  (24-hour media line)

Stephen Rankin
902-425-4293
713-627-4747  (24-hour media line)

Analyst Contact:

John Arensdorf
(713) 627-4600