WB XPress Project, Virginia

The WB XPress project is a 28.9 mile (46.5km) long pipeline being built by Columbia Gas Transmission, a part of Columbia Pipeline Group.

The pipeline aims to support the transportation of natural gas from the Appalachian supply base to the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast markets by enhancing the capacity of the interstate pipeline system.

Columbia Gas Transmission received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the construction of the WB XPress Project in November 2017.

WB Xpress pipeline is being constructed in two segments, one in western Virginia and another in the eastern part of the state. The western segment of the pipeline was commissioned in October 2018, while the completion of the eastern segment is scheduled for the end of the year.

WB XPress project route

The pipeline sections that were laid in West Virginia pass alongside the existing pipeline corridors through the Kanawha, Randolph, Pendleton, Braxton, Hardy and Upshur counties.

The East Virginia pipeline passes through the Fairfax, Loudoun and Shenandoah counties.

WB XPress project details

The project is designed to transport approximately 1.3 billion cubic feet a day (bcf/d) of natural gas and provide bi-directional transportation along Columbia’s existing WB natural gas pipeline to meet the increasing demand in northern Virginia and West Virginia.

The project includes the replacement of 26 miles (41.8km) of pipeline along the existing corridors and construction of 2.9 miles (4.6km) of new pipeline in Virginia and West Virginia.

It also involves the construction of two compressor stations and modifications to the existing compressor stations.

The development of the WB XPress project will disturb approximately 257.6 acres of existing corridor and 36.3 acres of newly proposed permanent right-of-way, 97.1 acres of existing above-ground facilities and 16.7 acres of above-ground facilities.

Approximately 311.6 acres of access roads, temporary workspaces and staging areas are used during the construction phase and will be turned back to pre-construction condition after completion of the project.

WB XPress project construction in West Virginia region

The project involved the replacement of 26 miles (41.84km) of 26in diameter pipeline in Randolph and Pendleton Counties in West Virginia.

A new compressor station in the Kanawha County was installed with two natural gas-driven units for increasing the horsepower of the compressors.

The four existing compressor stations in the West Virginia region, namely Cleveland compressor station in Upshur County, Files Creek compressor station in Randolph County, Seneca compressor station in Pendleton County and Lost River compressor station in Hardy County were installed with new piping and appurtenances to increase horsepower.

New valves and launcher/receiver facilities were also installed at the Frametown compressor station in Braxton County.

Other works included modifications to Glady valve site in Randolph County, Dink valve site in Clay County, Whitmer and Smokehole valve sites in Pendleton County and Panther Mountain regulator station in Kanawha County.

The project also involved the installation of a 0.3 mile (500m)-long, 36in diameter pipeline from the new compressor station to the Panther Mountain Regulator Station in Kanawha County, and 0.6 mile (900m)-long, 36in diameter pipeline from the new compressor station to the receiver site in Kanawha County.

Construction in Virginia region

In Eastern Virginia, the project involves the installation of approximately 2 miles (3.2km) of 12in diameter pipeline incorporated with appurtenances and a new electric-driven compressor station in Fairfax County.

Strasburg compressor station in Shenandoah County and existing natural gas pipeline appurtenances at the Loudoun compressor station in Loudoun County are being modified under the project.

The project also includes modifications to the existing Dysart Valve Site in Shenandoah County and Nineveh Meter Station in Warren County.