TransCanada to weigh interest in gas line

TransCanada and its partners involved in an Alaskan natural gas pipeline project said it will judge shipper interest for the proposal starting Aug. 31. The companies behind the Alaska Pipeline Project announced they\'d conduct a non-binding solicitation of interest from Aug. 31-Sept. 14. The proposed pipeline, led by a partnership involving TransCanada, Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips and BP, would transport natural gas from the North Slope of Alaska. \"Recognizing that the global market is evolving rapidly, the four companies are evaluating options for a large-scale liquefied natural gas export facility from south-central Alaska as an alternative to a natural gas pipeline through Alberta,\" the companies explained. TransCanada, under the terms of Alaskan law, is obligated to assess market interest in a pipeline every two years. \"APP has set a high priority on providing access opportunities for in-state natural gas to heat and power local homes, business and industry,\" the consortium announced.