Natural Gas in New England

Natural Gas Consumers

Energy Information Administration (EIA) statistics for the year 2010 reflect approximately 2.5 million natural gas customers in New England; 2.3 million residential customers and about 260,000 commercial and industrial customers (see table and charts below).

Source link: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/ng/ng_cons_num_dcu_nus_a.htm

Natural Gas Consumption

The Energy Information Administration’s 2011 Annual Energy Outlook projects New England natural gas consumption to grow at a 1.5% annual rate through 2035. In New England, New Hampshire ranked fourth in total natural gas consumption in 2011, behind Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Natural gas is the primary heating fuel for 35%* of residential homes in New England.

* Northeast Gas Association, 2011 Statistical Guide, p. 3

New England Natural Gas Consumption by State

EIA Statistics – Volumes in Millions of Cubic Feet [1 million cubic feet = 10,000 Therms]

Source link: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/ng/ng_cons_sum_dcu_nus_m.htm

The fastest growing gas consumption sector, nationally and regionally, has been gas for electric power generation. Gas-fired electric power generation accounted for approximately 38% of total natural gas consumption in New England in 2001; in 2010 it accounted for nearly 50% of New England’s natural gas consumption.

In New Hampshire, gas fired electric power generation facilities accounted for just 2% percent of total natural gas consumption in 2001; in 2010 it accounted for 65% of total natural gas consumption.

New Hampshire Natural Gas Consumption by Sector

EIA Statistics – Volumes in Millions of Cubic Feet

Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines

New England has 2,500 miles of gas transmission pipeline, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation/PHMSA.  Six interstate gas pipeline systems deliver gas from multiple supply points into New England.  These pipelines deliver gas from supply basins in the Gulf Coast, western Canada, eastern Canada (Sable Island, Deep Panuke) and from the liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Massachusetts.  The interstate natural gas pipelines serving New England are:

• Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP)
• http://www.tennesseeadvantage.com/default.asp
• Algonquin Gas Transmission (AGT)
• http://www.spectraenergy.com/businesses/us/facilities/algonquin/
• Maritimes & Northeast (M&NE)
• http://www.mnpp.com/USA/default.htm
• Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS)
• http://www.pngts.com/
• Iroquois Gas Transmission System (IGTS)
• http://www.iroquois.com/new-internet/igts/index.asp
• Granite State Gas Transmission (GSGT)
• http://www.latec.com/gsgt/

LNG Import Facilities

The Distrigas of Massachusetts LNG terminal in Massachusetts is one of the first major operating import terminals for LNG in the United States and imports gas from other parts of the world where local market needs are much less than the available supply.

• Distrigas of Massachusetts LLC (DOMAC) – owned by Suez Energy North America
• http://www.distrigas.com/

The primary source of LNG supply into New England in recent years comes from the rich gas supply region of Trinidad and Tobago, off the coast of Venezuela, and additional cargoes arrived in 2010 from Egypt and Yemen.  The LNG is transported to New England via large ocean-going tanker ships.

Additionally, there are three new LNG import facilities that directly impact the northeast natural gas markets. These new LNG import facilities are:

• Canaport LNG - Saint John, New Brunswick
• Initial sendout capability of 1 bcf/d, became operational in 2009
• http://www.canaportlng.com/
• Northeast Gateway Deepwater Port LNG – offshore Cape Ann, Massachusetts Bay
• Sendout capability of 800 mmcf/d, became operational in 2008
• http://www.excelerateenergy.com/northeast.html
• Neptune LNG, LLC – 10 miles off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts
• Sendout capability of up to 750 mmcf/d, became operational in 2010
• http://www.suezenergyna.com/ourcompanies/lngna-neptune.shtml

Last updated 8/1/2012