Nov. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Spectra Energy Corp., the third- biggest U.S. pipeline operator by market value, may ship as much as 300 million cubic feet a day of Marcellus Shale natural gas to the U.S. Northeast as part of an expansion plan with Range Resources Corp.

Range Resources, based in Fort Worth, Texas, committed to at least 150 million cubic feet a day of gas, Houston-based Spectra said in a statement today. Spectra plans to announce a binding open season for an additional 150 million cubic feet a day of capacity to be available in 2012.

The open season may start this week or next, Bill Yardley, vice president of Northeast transmission, said in a phone interview.

Spectra is also considering a second phase of pipeline expansion to link the Marcellus Shale, located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and New York, with Northeast markets, according to the statement. This expansion may be completed in 2013. It’s expected to have 100 to 300 million cubic feet a day of capacity, Yardley said.

“The Marcellus producers, which are the main customers of this program, they’re coming online with their production over time,” Yardley said. “It’s a prolific area, so we expect to get good interest.”

Spectra rose 21 cents, or 1 percent, to $19.38 in composite trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Range Resources gained 88 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $48.96.

Enterprise Products Partners LP is the largest U.S. pipeline operator, followed by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP. Both partnerships are based in Houston.

To contact the reporter on this story: Katarzyna Klimasinska in Houston at kklimasinska@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 16, 2009 16:27 EST