The Tioga Pathway Venture will Redefine Natural Gas in Pennsylvania

For locals, the project promises jobs and energy reliability.

Mar 02, 2025

The Tioga Pathway Project, proposed by National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation, is a significant natural gas transportation initiative aimed at enhancing energy distribution in Pennsylvania. This project, detailed in a recent environmental assessment by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), involves a combination of pipeline replacements, new installations, and facility upgrades designed to modernize infrastructure and meet growing energy demands.

Here’s everything you need to know about what it entails, where it’s happening, and the specifics of its pipelines and compressor stations.

What is the Tioga Pathway Project?

The Tioga Pathway Project is all about moving natural gas efficiently and safely. Its primary goal is to provide 190,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation service, sourcing gas from the Tioga County production area in Pennsylvania and delivering it to downstream points connected to other interstate pipelines. These pipelines serve various end-use markets and demand centers. Beyond transportation, the project also seeks to modernize an aging portion of National Fuel’s existing pipeline system, improving safety and reliability.

This is a strategic response to the growing need for natural gas, a key energy source for heating, electricity, and industry. The project falls under FERC’s oversight, and the environmental assessment concludes that, with proper mitigation, it won’t significantly harm the environment--a critical green light for moving forward.

Where is the Project Happening?

The Tioga Pathway Project spans two counties in Pennsylvania: Potter County and Tioga County. These rural regions are rich in natural gas production, making them ideal starting points for this transportation network. The project’s footprint includes both existing infrastructure being upgraded and new facilities being built across these counties, connecting production areas to broader distribution systems. In Potter County, the project encompasses the Line Z20 replacement, the McCutcheon Hill Over-Pressure Protection (OPP) Station, and modifications at the Ellisburg Compressor Station. Meanwhile, Tioga County hosts the bulk of the new Line YM59 pipeline, the Lee Hill Interconnect measurement equipment, and additional facilities such as valve settings and cathodic protection beds. This geographic focus ties into Pennsylvania’s role as a natural gas powerhouse, leveraging its Marcellus Shale reserves to feed national and international markets.

Project Specifics: Pipelines, Compressor Stations, and More…

The Tioga Pathway Project isn’t a single pipeline but a suite of interconnected components, with a special focus on pipelines and compressor stations. One key element is the replacement of 3.8 miles of an old 12-inch-diameter pipeline from 1936 with a new 20-inch-diameter coated steel pipeline in Potter County, known as the Line Z20 Replacement. This upgrade enhances durability and safety by swapping out bare steel for coated steel and includes modifying an existing valve setting to improve control. The replacement adheres to the current footprint, minimizing new land disturbance.

Another major component is the installation of 19.5 miles of new 20-inch-diameter coated steel pipeline, referred to as Line YM59. This pipeline begins at the eastern end of the Line Z20 replacement in Potter County, stretches through Tioga County, and terminates at the NFG Midstream Covington, LLC Lee Hill Interconnect. It significantly expands the capacity to transport natural gas, with about 91% of its length (17.8 miles) cutting through new right-of-way and 9% (1.7 miles) paralleling an existing pipeline corridor. The pipeline is designed for longevity, featuring a corrosion-resistant coating.

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The project also involves constructing a new over-pressure protection station, called the McCutcheon Hill OPP Station, at the junction of the Line Z20 replacement and Line YM59 in Potter County. This facility plays a critical role in regulating pipeline pressure to ensure safe operation. At the end of Line YM59 in Tioga County, new measurement equipment will be installed at the Lee Hill Interconnect to monitor gas flow and quality. Owned and operated by National Fuel (though the interconnect itself belongs to Midstream), this equipment tracks the volume of gas entering the system before it heads downstream.

Modifications are also planned for the existing Ellisburg Compressor Station in Potter County. These updates include adding new measurement devices, over-pressure protection equipment, flow controls, and related gear, all within the station’s existing footprint. Notably, no changes are proposed to the compressor units or the station’s capacity; instead, the focus is on fine-tuning efficiency and safety by replacing outdated equipment with modern equivalents.

Finally, the project includes installing a new remote-control valve setting and a cathodic protection ground bed along Line YM59 in Tioga County. The valve enables remote adjustments to gas flow, while the cathodic protection bed helps prevent pipeline corrosion… both essential features for ensuring long-term reliability.

Why Compressor Stations Matter--and Why This One Doesn’t Change Much

Compressor stations often steal the spotlight in pipeline projects because they’re loud, complex, and can expand a system’s capacity. In the Tioga Pathway Project, the Ellisburg Compressor Station garners attention, but not for the usual reasons. Unlike projects that add horsepower or new units, this one keeps the station’s core unchanged. The focus is on ancillary upgrades (such as new gauges and valves) rather than bigger engines. This approach maintains the status quo on noise and emissions while supporting the increased throughput from the new pipelines. It’s a subtle but smart strategy, leveraging existing infrastructure without a major overhaul.

Environmental and Community Considerations

The FERC assessment mentions the project will span 356.2 acres during construction and 126.3 acres for operations, and the project touches forests, farmland, and wetlands. FERC’s conclusion is that, with mitigation measures like avoiding wetlands where possible and restoring temporary workspaces, it’s not a “major” environmental “disruptor”.

For locals, the project promises jobs and energy reliability. National Fuel is sticking to existing corridors where feasible, such as with Line Z20, to keep the footprint minimal.

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What’s Next?

The Tioga Pathway Project is a piece of the energy puzzle, modernizing how natural gas moves from Pennsylvania’s fields to your home or factory. It’s not flashy--no massive new compressor stations or huge expansions--but it’s practical, upgrading old pipes and adding just enough new ones to meet demand. As FERC reviews comments (due by March 17, 2025) and decides on authorization, keep an eye on how this balances energy needs with environmental stewardship.

For energy buffs and Pennsylvanians alike, this project serves as a reminder: infrastructure isn’t static. It evolves--quietly, steadily--to keep the lights on and the heat flowing.

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