The pre-filing allows the backers of the projects to coordinate and communicate better with FERC staff as they arrange for a formal application to have their projects sanctioned.
The two pipeline proposals are in initial stages of development as the companies involved study the strengths and weaknesses of different routes, conduct initial engineering, estimate costs and do other work.
The Anchorage Daily News reports that a decision on whether to proceed with building could be a couple of years from now.
Federal regulators have said it is unlikely both projects will be concluded.
