Northern Natural Gas Company Requests Approval for Pipeline Expansion

Strategic Insights -

Northern Natural Gas Company has submitted a request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to place two pipeline extensions in service: the Farmington to Hugo C-line (Farmington extension) and the Lake Mills to Albert Lea E-line (Lake Mills extension). The request is part of the Northern Lights 2025 Expansion project, which aims to enhance the company's natural gas transportation infrastructure.

The Farmington extension spans approximately 10.1 miles, while the Lake Mills extension spans 3.2 miles. Both extensions have been mechanically completed and are ready to transport natural gas. However, certain restoration activities are still required, including topsoil seeding, mulching, and crimping, as well as the removal of environmental control devices (ECDs). The company has provided detailed project schedules, with completion dates ranging from November 1 to November 15, 2025.

Northern Natural Gas has attached construction photos to the submission, which show the progress of the restoration activities. The photos provide visual evidence of the work completed and the activities still pending.

The company respectfully requests that FERC issue written approval to place the two pipeline extensions in service no later than October 30, 2025, to ensure that the facilities are ready to meet Northern's contractual commitments to its customers effective November 1, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • Northern Natural Gas Company has submitted a request to FERC to place the Farmington to Hugo C-line and Lake Mills to Albert Lea E-line pipeline extensions in service as part of the Northern Lights 2025 Expansion project.
  • The Farmington extension spans approximately 10.1 miles, while the Lake Mills extension spans 3.2 miles.
  • Both extensions have been mechanically completed and are ready to transport natural gas.
  • Restoration activities still pending include topsoil seeding, mulching, and crimping, and the removal of ECDs.
  • The company has provided detailed project schedules, with completion dates ranging from November 1 to November 15, 2025.
  • Northern Natural Gas has attached construction photos to the submission, which show the progress of the restoration activities.
  • The company respectfully requests that FERC issue written approval to place the two pipeline extensions in service no later than October 30, 2025.

Statistics:

  • The Farmington extension spans approximately 10.1 miles.
  • The Lake Mills extension spans 3.2 miles.
  • The restoration activities still pending for the Farmington extension include:

+ Topsoil seeding: November 5, 2025.

+ Mulching and crimping: November 10, 2025.

+ Removal of ECDs: November 10, 2025.

  • The restoration activities still pending for the Lake Mills extension include:

+ Backfilling and decompacting subsoil: November 6, 2025.

+ Removing access points and restoring topsoil: November 15, 2025.

+ Backfilling and decompacting subsoil: November 15, 2025.

Sources:

  • Northern Natural Gas Company P.O. Box 3330 Omaha, NE 68103-0330
  • October 28, 2025 Via eFiling
  • Ms. Debbie-Anne Reese, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20426
  • Docket No. CP24-60-000