Surplus pipe from the 500-mile Midcontinent Express natural gas transmission pipeline has been donated to welding students at Louisiana Technical College in Tallulah.

The extra pipe represents an $8,000 giveaway to LTC’s Region 8, said a release Thursday from Kinder Morgan. The Houston-based company’s energy division and Energy Transfer Partners LP oversaw construction of the line, which runs from southeast Oklahoma to Butler, Ala., just across the Mississippi line.

“In these difficult economic times, MEP wanted to provide surplus pipe for use by student welders,” said Allen Fore, director of community relations for Kinder Morgan. “This donation allows these students to work on quality pipe as they continue their education and prepare to enter the work place. We are happy to make this significant donation to Louisiana Technical College and continue our good relationship with the college, Madison Parish and the State of Louisiana.”

A similar donation was made in January to LTC’s Delta Ouachita branch in West Monroe.

“This donation of pipe helps us to continue to offer high quality welding training,” said Frank Lloyd, head of the welding department. “With over 100 welding students enrolled in our welding program, strong industry partners enable us to produce highly skilled welders and fitters.”

The pipeline crosses the Mississippi River south of the river bridges at Vicksburg, turning sharply eastward through south Vicksburg and Warren County.