Chesapeake Energy Corporation says its wholly-owned subsidiary, Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., has entered into a ten-year agreement for firm transportation of 375 million cubic feet (mmcf) per day of natural gas and an option to transport an additional 125 mmcf per day on the Fayetteville Express Pipeline, a new 42-inch, 187-mile pipeline system to be constructed by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.

The pipeline system that will transport natural gas from Chesapeake's rapidly growing Fayetteville Shale play in Arkansas will originate in Conway County, Arkansas, continue eastward through White County, Arkansas and terminate at an interconnect with Trunkline Gas Company in Quitman County, Mississippi. The system will connect to Chesapeake's natural gas gathering system in the Fayetteville Shale and will include multiple receipt and delivery points. Pending necessary regulatory approvals, the pipeline project is expected to be in service by late 2010 or early 2011.

Aubrey K. McClendon, Chesapeake's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to announce that we have secured substantial new takeaway capacity for our Fayetteville Shale production that will provide Chesapeake and our 25% partner, BP America (NYSE:BP), with improved access to more favorable natural gas markets at an attractive transportation rate. This agreement helps to reduce both basis risk and pricing volatility and will accommodate the substantial growth we anticipate from the Fayetteville Shale play in the years ahead."

Tags: Chesapeake Energy Corporation