Penn Virginia Resource (PVR) has commenced commercial operations of the first section of its new natural gas gathering system in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, US.

The Lycoming pipeline system provides more than 850 million cubic feet per day of capacity and connects natural gas producers’ operating wells to the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company (Transco) interstate pipeline system.

The large-diameter gathering pipeline, which is operational in north-central Pennsylvania, is PVR’s second gathering system in the Marcellus region.

As part of an agreement made with Range Resources, PVR is setting up an area of mutual interest in Pennsylvania, constructing additional pipelines and related facilities to extend and expand the service area of the new system.

The firm also plans to extend the system into southern Tioga County to provide producers with better access to premium north-east markets through the Transco pipeline.