Having completed an initial economic feasibility study, Prairieland Energy commissioned the Bypass Pipeline Preliminary Design Study to assess the technical, regulatory, logistic, and political feasibility of constructing a pipeline approximately seven miles in length in the City of Chicago. This pipeline would extend through the city to allow the acquisition of bulk natural gas purchases for the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) from alternative providers.

The project developed, proposed, and evaluated multiple conceptual pipeline routes to best serve the UIC campus, with consideration for all rules and regulations involving pipeline installation. Technical, regulatory and financial data was developed for the three most effective conceptual routes, with eventual identification of the most cost-effective feasible pipeline route. Primera performed initial route identifications for the project, and all regulatory assessments for each of the routes analyzed.