OREANDA-NEWS.  Bluegrass Pipeline LLC, a joint venture between Williams (NYSE:WMB) and Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (NYSE: BWP) (Boardwalk), today announced that it is extending its binding Open Season until Jan. 17, 2014 at 5 p.m. CST. The extension is in response to requests of interested shippers who would like additional time to evaluate the pipeline project and the project's market outlet options.

The open season is being held to secure industry commitments to the Bluegrass project which would provide timely natural gas liquids (NGLs) transportation capacity from the Marcellus and Utica shale plays to the petrochemical and export complex on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The Open Season began on Oct. 29, 2013 at 8 a.m. CDT and will conclude on Jan. 17, 2014 at 5 p.m. CST.

"We are pleased with the quality of interest shown thus far by producers that are active in the Utica and Marcellus shale plays. Extending our open season provides potential shippers with more time to evaluate how our proposed project fits their growing needs for NGL transport, fractionation, export and other end-use market options," stated John Haynes, senior vice president and chief commercial officer for Boardwalk Pipeline Partners.