Kinder Morgan’s FTC settlement requires sale of three Rocky Mountain gas pipelines

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a proposed settlement order to resolve antitrust concerns with Kinder Morgan’s $38 billion acquisition of El Paso Corporation. Kinder Morgan is one of the country’s largest gas and energy transporters; El Paso stores, processes, and transports natural gas. Under the terms of the settlement, Kinder Morgan will have to divest three natural gas pipelines (Rockies Express, Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission, Trailblazer), two gas processing plants, and associated storage capacity. The assets are to be divested within 180 days, along with transitional support to be provided by Kinder Morgan.

The sales will protect the natural gas pipeline transportation and processing markets in the Rocky Mountain area, which are highly concentrated. The settlement will protect natural gas shippers from higher transportation costs that would otherwise result from the acquisition.

Full content: FTC Press Release

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