Oracle has requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) accelerate the approval process for the Green Chile pipeline. The 17.8-mile pipeline is intended to supply natural gas to the Project Jupiter data center in New Mexico, which relies on Bloom Energy fuel cells to generate between 2.45 and 2.5 GW of power.
The project's timeline has been delayed, with the expected service date pushed from August 15, 2026, to February 1, 2027. The delay follows two rejections of the initial route by the New Mexico State Land Office, which resulted in a loss of approximately $249,000 in fees. The current route now primarily crosses federal land, subjecting it to additional regulatory review.
To mitigate potential further delays, Oracle is considering an interim strategy of transporting compressed natural gas by truck. While this method has been utilized at smaller company facilities in Utah and Texas, it is estimated to be four times more expensive than pipeline delivery.
Oracle emphasizes that the project is expected to generate significant economic benefits, including an annual output of up to $1.1 billion during the construction phase and a total economic impact exceeding $13 billion over the lifespan of Project Jupiter.
