Who’s Affected by the Gulf South Pipeline — Willis Lateral?
In this video, Condemnation Rights Attorney Philip Hundl talks about the new Gulf South Pipeline project called the Willis Lateral. If you’re a landowner affected by the project or any other eminent domain action, please call 800-266-4870 for an appointment with Mr. Hundl. You can also ask for a free case evaluation by clicking this link and completing a form.
Summary of the Gulf South Pipeline – Willis Lateral Video
– Hi, I’m Philip Hundl, I’m an attorney with Land Rights Law, and my practice area primarily focuses on land litigation, specifically condemnation projects representing land owners.
Today, I’d like to talk to you briefly about a new project that’s come to my attention. It’s a Gulf South pipeline project called the Willis Lateral.
Gulf South is a subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipeline Partners. It’s an interstate pipeline company, and it’s regulated by FERC on most of its projects. Boardwalk Pipeline Partners has approximately 7,000 miles of pipeline throughout the Southern part of the United States. That area includes South Texas, East Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Southern Alabama, and Western Florida.
Planned Route of the Willis Lateral Project
This Willis Lateral Project is not a big project — it’s approximately 19 miles of 24-inch pipeline in Montgomery and San Jacinto Counties. The pipeline’s going to start just West of Willis, Texas, west of I-45, and it’s going to run into Southeastern San Jacinto County. It will connect with an existing line that Gulf South has in San Jacinto County.
The Willis Lateral is going to connect with a power plant in Montgomery County owned by Entergy Texas. They have an existing compressor station in Polk County. So this Willis Lateral pipeline is going to connect up with the current Gulf South pipeline to feed from an existing compressor station in Polk County. Then the new section of pipeline supplies an Entergy Texas power station in Montgomery County.
Planned Construction Schedule
So, what’s the timeframe on the Willis Lateral project? It looks like they’re hoping to begin construction near the end of 2019 and have everything completed and ready to go around May 2020.
Last June in 2018, Gulf South Pipeline filed their application certificate of public convenience and necessity with FERC — that’s something that’s required. I’ve visited the FERC website and I’ve seen where they’ve filed that application. They anticipate that in May 2019 they’ll receive an order granting their certificate of public convenience and necessity. Then they anticipate starting pipeline construction in October 2019 with completion of construction in May 2020.
This Gulf South pipeline is planned to run in or along an existing utility right of way, so there could be some land owners affected. There’s also some national forest property there that will also be affected. Gulf South anticipates this project will cost them approximately $100 million.
That’s just some information that they put out about this Gulf South pipeline project. If you’re a land owner in Montgomery County or San Jacinto County and you’ve heard about the Willis Lateral Project, hopefully this information is helpful. Good luck!
Is Your Property Affected by Eminent Domain
In our experience, most property owners accept the first offer given them by the right-of-way agent. The right-of-way agent does not represent your interests, and the agent’s goal is to obtain your consent to an agreement at the lowest possible cost to the pipeline company. Don’t sign an agreement without consulting with an experienced property condemnation attorney!
Philip Hundl is an experienced condemnation rights attorney. If you’re impacted by this or any other pipeline project, you should get the help of a knowledgeable lawyer to guide you through the condemnation process. Call Phil and his team at 800-266-4870 or text the office at 979-320-9320. Our offices are in Wharton County, and we help landowners all over Texas.
Call 800-266-4870 or text 979-320-9320 for an appointment. We can also arrange for online and telephone appointments all over Texas.