VIDALIA — The owners of a major pipeline — the area’s only source for natural gas — will host an open house in Vidalia this month to explain coming significant upgrades to the line.

American Midstream Partners announced in October plans to replace the 8-inch pipeline from Winnsboro to Natchez with a 12-inch pipeline.

American Midstream Partners Investor Relations Manager Allysa Howell said Tuesday the company will be contacting landowners and community members this week about the open house.

The open house will be 5 to 7 p.m. April 13 in the Bowie Room at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center.

“This is basically an opportunity for landowners and community members to engage with the American Midstream project manager and chief operating officer,” Howell said.

“It will have a map and an overview of the Natchez line project, and they will be there to answer any questions. This is not a formal presentation, but a kind of walk around display sort of scenario.”

The company will also host an open house in Sicily Island, Howell said.

American Midstream had originally announced an intention to abandon its Midla pipeline, a 1920s-vintage installment that ran from Baton Rouge to Monroe. The company contended the existing pipeline infrastructure presents significant safety concerns because of its age.

Municipalities around the state expressed concern at the time because losing the pipeline would cut off natural gas access, including to Clayton, Ferriday, Vidalia and Natchez. The state legislature even passed a law changing how pipelines can be abandoned in response to the announcement

After six months of back-and-forth negotiations, however, the company and other stakeholders — including state legislators, the area’s congressional delegation, municipalities and the Louisiana Municipal Gas Association — reached what Howell described as “a mutually beneficial resolution.”

Areas not served by the replacement line will be connected to other pipeline or gas distribution systems.

At the time of the announcement, Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said the larger line providing increased capacity will serve as a major industrial recruiting tool.

Howell said the company will file for permits to construct the new pipeline with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission this summer.