TULSA, Okla., April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Williams (NYSE: WMB) announced today that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued to Northwest Pipeline GP, Williams' majority-owned subsidiary, a certificate approving construction and operation of a 24-inch diameter natural gas transmission pipeline in Colorado that will bring additional gas supplies from the Piceance Basin to Northwest's on-system and off-system markets.

The new 27.4-mile pipeline and related facilities, known as the Colorado Hub Connection, will connect the Meeker/White River hub, a regional production area hub, with Northwest's existing mainline system south of Rangely, Colo. The project will provide approximately 360,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation service on Northwest's mainline to delivery points as far south as Ignacio, Colo. At Ignacio, Northwest interconnects with El Paso Natural Gas and Transwestern Pipeline Company.

"The Colorado Hub is a strategic project that will allow Northwest to connect the Piceance Basin supplies with markets in the western U.S. and to subscribe existing mainline capacity on a long-term basis," said Phil Wright, president of Williams' gas pipeline business. "We appreciate the efforts of the FERC and other state and federal agencies in reviewing the application for this important natural gas infrastructure on a timely basis."

Williams anticipates starting construction on the project in May 2009 and the pipeline is expected to be in-service by Nov. 1, 2009. The estimated cost of the project is $60 million.

In August 2007, Northwest conducted an open season for the project and filed an application for a FERC certificate in Sept. 2008.

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 http://www.williams.com. Go to http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=630&to=ea&s=0 to join our e-mail 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