Flexibility, reliability and storage are key to Northwest Pipeline’s success
Originally known as the “Scenic Inch” because of the beautiful country it traverses, Northwest Pipeline is a primary artery for the transmission of natural gas to the Pacific Northwest.
In fact, the system is the primary provider of affordable natural gas to the population centers of Seattle and Tacoma, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Boise, Idaho, serving local distribution companies, industrial users and power plants.
The 4,000-mile bi-directional system is uniquely positioned to meet daily and peak needs for clean, reliable energy with supply access to British Columbia, Alberta, Rocky Mountain and San Juan Basin gas.
Northwest Pipeline also connects to six natural gas storage facilities located along its system and can access 135 billion cubic feet of additional natural gas during periods of peak demand or supply disruptions.
For storage, natural gas is injected – or liquified in the case of LNG – during the warmer months, when demand is lower, and then withdrawn when usage peaks, usually in the winter. On-system gas and access to storage are critical to meet demand as was evident with Winter Storm Elliott in 2022.
“It’s like a savings account for a rainy day,” said Gary Venz, director of commercial services for Northwest Pipeline. “We are saving that natural gas to be used on those peak days to make sure the energy keeps moving. It gives us flexibility so we can be dependable and reliable partners to our customers.”
Each year, new peak day records are established in the region, with last winter’s peak day exceeding the previous year by 11%. Williams has introduced operational efficiencies on Northwest Pipeline to maintain energy reliability, backstop renewables like wind and solar, and keep prices stable during high-demand periods.
Northwest Pipeline has experienced a 32% growth in transported volumes since 2013 and has established a new annual throughput record for four of the past five years.
Venz said Williams expects peak demand to continue to increase as LNG markets expand, coal-fired plants are retired and new data centers are built.
Throughout its more than 65-year history, the pipeline has undergone multiple expansions, along with rigorous maintenance and inspection, to meet growing energy demand.
To support future energy reliability, Williams is pursuing a deliberate, phased and stakeholder-informed expansion strategy along Northwest Pipeline. We are also utilizing our robust storage solutions and pursuing projects to debottleneck supply to provide peak day solutions.
These strategies, supported by our legacy of going above and beyond to provide energy reliability, will continue to make Northwest Pipeline a catalyst for economic development in the Pacific Northwest.
Northwest Pipeline is a leading example of how our experience and operational excellence have enabled Williams to meet growing demand in the Pacific Northwest.
Local utilities served by Northwest Pipeline:
- Cascade Natural Gas
- Intermountain Gas
- Avista
- Northwest Natural
- Puget Sound Energy
- Enbridge Gas
- Northern Nevada LDCs via Great Basin Pipeline
Northwest Pipeline also serves:
- 19 industrial direct connects
- 7 power plants
- 9 municipalities
- 8 active interconnects for renewable natural gas and two more in expected by the end of 2024.