TULSA, Okla., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Williams (NYSE: WMB) announced today that Northwest Pipeline GP, Williams' majority-owned subsidiary, has received a certificate from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approving construction and operation of approximately 15.5 miles of 30-inch diameter mainline loop to bring additional gas supplies from the Piceance Basin to the Opal Hub in Wyo.

The project known as the Sundance Trail Expansion will provide 150,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation capacity from the Greasewood and Meeker/White River Hubs in Rio Blanco County, Colo. to the Opal Hub area in Lincoln County, Wyo. In addition, the project will replace and enhance Northwest's compression facilities at the Vernal Compressor Station in Uintah County, Utah.

Northwest's mainline is connected to the Piceance Basin at the Greasewood Hub through its Piceance Lateral and the Meeker/White River hubs through Northwest's new Colorado Hub Connection pipeline and related facilities.

"The Sundance Trail Project will meet the demand from producers to provide transportation capacity to move gas from one of the fastest-growing gas production fields in the Rockies to markets in the western U.S.," said Phil Wright, president of Williams' natural gas pipeline business. "At the Opal Hub, producers have access to six interstate pipelines, including Northwest, which provides significant supply options for transporting natural gas."

The project will cost up to $65 million and will be operational by November 2010.

In February 2008, Northwest conducted an open season for the project and filed an application for a FERC certificate in May 2009.

Williams Pipeline Partners L.P. (NYSE: WMZ) owns a 35-percent interest in Northwest Pipeline GP.

About Williams (NYSE:WMB)

Williams, through its subsidiaries, finds, produces, gathers, processes and transports natural gas. Williams' operations are concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Gulf Coast and the Eastern Seaboard. More information is available at www.williams.com. Go to http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=630&to=ea&s=0 to join our mailing list.



Contact:      Michele Swaner
              Williams (media relations)
              801-584-7048

              Richard George
              Williams (investor relations)
              918-573-3679

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