Bluestone Gathering announced the signing of a long term agreement with Southwestern Energy Services Company to build and operate a natural gas gathering system in Susquehanna County, PA and Broome County, NY.

Bluestone a wholly owned subsidiary of DTE Energy, will deliver natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation to the Millennium Pipeline in Broome County, NY and to Tennessee Pipeline in Susquehanna, PA. Houston based Southwestern Energy Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Company is the primary customer for Bluestone.

The project is comprised of approximately 37 miles of 16"/20" diameter pipeline and will include many miles of high and low pressure smaller diameter pipeline for the in field gathering system. Bluestone's initial capacity will be over 250,000 dth/day to both the Millennium and Tennessee pipelines and is projected to be in-service in the second quarter of 2012. DTE Energy plans to spend more than USD 250 million over the next five years on both the Bluestone gathering lateral and in-field gathering system.

Mr Peter Cianci president of DTE Energy's Gas Storage and Pipeline Company said that "We are excited about the opportunity to work closely with Southwestern Energy Services Company on this Project. Southwestern has demonstrated its capabilities through its world-class operations in the Fayetteville Shale. They are now leveraging this expertise to develop a substantial position in the Marcellus Shale."

Additionally, Millennium Pipeline has approved its first two expansions slated to be in-service in late 2012 and late 2013. These two expansions are expected to increase Millennium's capacity from 525,000 dth/day to approximately 825,000 dth/day by adding two compressor stations. DTE Energy owns 26.25% of Millennium Pipeline.

Mr Cianci added that "Susquehanna County contains some of the most prolific gas wells in the Marcellus Shale. Bluestone is part of our strategy to grow our natural gas business in the Northeast and provide a significant supply feed to the Millennium Pipeline.”