Northwest Pipeline GP Commences Open Season for Opal Market Link Project

TULSA, Okla., July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Williams Partners L.P.  (NYSE: WPZ) today announced that Northwest Pipeline GP is launching an open season to seek expressions of interest from shippers to participate in its new Opal Market Link project.  Shippers can contract for long-term firm transportation service to move unprocessed natural gas from the Uinta Basin in Utah to the Opal Hub.  Williams Partners owns the Opal gas processing plant in southwestern Wyoming, which provides shippers with access to over five billion cubic feet per day of interstate pipeline take-away capacity to markets across the U.S.  

The proposed Opal Market Link will include construction of up to 145 miles of 24-inch diameter pipeline originating near Vernal, Utah, and extending north to the Opal Hub in Lincoln County, Wyo.  

Williams is also offering gathering service in the Uinta Basin to interconnect with the Opal Market Link project, as well as gas processing services at the Opal plant.

The initial design capacity of the Opal Market Link is planned to be approximately 400,000 dekatherms per day, which can be easily increased through compression or larger diameter pipe.  

"Natural gas production in the Uinta Basin has significant growth potential," said Phil Wright, president of Williams' gas pipeline business.  "The project will provide producers with low-cost transportation service and access to a vast array of natural gas and natural gas liquids markets."

Alan Armstrong, president of Williams' midstream business added, "Our midstream business is well situated to provide producers what they need to maximize the value of their reserves: reliable and competitive services via our large-scale processing complex at Opal, direct access to a variety of major natural gas markets, and access to two natural gas liquids pipelines."  

Williams (NYSE: WMB) owns 84 percent of Williams Partners, including the general-partner interest.  Most of Williams' interstate gas pipeline and midstream assets are held through its ownership interest in Williams Partners.

Once expression of interest forms are received, Northwest will determine the design and cost for the project.  Subject to shipper requests and the necessary federal, state and local approvals, service on the Opal Market Link project could be available as early as November 2013.

For additional information, contact John Davis at 801-584-6852 or Hank Henrie at 801-584-6625.  Shippers desiring Opal Market Link capacity must fill out and return an expression of interest form by 3 p.m. MDT on August 11, 2010.  

About Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ)

Williams Partners L.P. is a leading diversified master limited partnership focused on natural gas transportation; gathering, treating, and processing; storage; natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionation; and oil transportation. The partnership owns interests in three major interstate natural gas pipelines that, combined, deliver 12 percent of the natural gas consumed in the United States. The partnership's gathering and processing assets include large-scale operations in the U.S. Rocky Mountains and both onshore and offshore along the Gulf of Mexico. Williams (NYSE: WMB) owns approximately 84 percent of Williams Partners, including the general-partner interest. More information is available at www.williamslp.com. Go to http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1296&to=ea&s=0 or http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1296&to=ea&s=0 to join our email list.

Portions of this document may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined by federal law. Although the company believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the "safe harbor" protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the company's annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Williams Partners L.P.