Gulf South Pipeline seeks federal approval to expand Petal natural gas storage facility

PETAL, Miss. (WDAM) - A new development is underway in the City of Petal.

Gulf South Pipeline has requested a new natural gas storage cavern underneath the Petal Salt Dome.

The company is a subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipelines, which purchased Hattiesburg and Petal’s gas storage facilities in 2011 and is currently one of the country’s leaders in natural gas.

On Feb. 27, the company officially filed a Public Convenience and Necessity Application to the Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission (FERC).

In the application, Gulf South shared that the new cavern will “meet rising demand for natural gas storage services” and “help enhance the affordability and reliability of gas supplies.”

The new cavern would join eight existing ones at the Petal Storage Complex located atop the salt dome, which dates back to the 1950s.

Construction would take place primarily along U.S. Highway 11, including around Chappell Hill and Leeville roads.

In the application, Gulf South said the project will use 35 acres of land within the existing location, including five access roads.

The company said any impact on wildlife and vegetation will be “temporary and short-term,” and that they are following FERC guidelines to minimize emissions and noise.

Gulf South is asking that the commission approve the project by Dec. 17.

If approved, the company said construction could begin as early as the first quarter of 2027 and wrap by late 2030.

However, the project would still need to meet certain local and state requirements.

WDAM 7 reached out to Petal Mayor Tony Ducker, who said the city is still waiting for certain paperwork to make it to their building department.

The project’s full application is available for the public to view online.

For more information on the FERC’s review of the project, you can visit the commission’s website or call 866-208-3372.

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