[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 36798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17841]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP97-598-000]
Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application
July 2, 1997.
Take notice that on June 20, 1997, as supplemented on June 30,
1997, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern), P.O. Box 3330, Omaha,
Nebraska 68103-0330, filed in Docket No. CP97-598-000 an application
pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Regulations for permission and
approval to abandon in place the Gaines Co. #3 compressor station
(Gaines Co. #3) located in Gaines County, Texas, consisting of one
single-staged 172 horsepower unit, all as more fully set forth in the
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public
inspection.
Northern states that the Gaines Co. #3 was authorized pursuant to
budget authorization in Docket No. CP81-33-001. The Gaines Co. #3 was
originally constructed to effectuate delivery of volumes to support
Northern's merchant function from gas fields connected upstream of the
compressor. According to Northern, on or about March 27, 1997, the
Gaines Co. #3 began experiencing mechanical problems which rendered the
unit inoperable. Northern states that it does not have any firm
contracts with the Gaines Co. #3 as a primary receipt point. Northern
contends that the revenues generated by interruptible transportation
service does not economically justify the cost to repair the unit.
Northern asserts that Highlands Gathering and Processing Company
(Highlands), the owner of the upstream gathering system connected to
the Gaines Co. #3 agrees that the proposed abandonment result in the
best economic solution, and has installed compression to enable the
natural gas volumes connected to its gathering system to enter
Northern's transmission system. Northern notes that the operating
conditions have changed since it initially installed its Gaines Co. #3
resulting in the need for two stages of compression versus Northern's
single staged unit to most efficiently produce the gas volumes.
Northern proposes to abandon the station in-place. However,
Northern states that it intends to utilize parts from this unit in the
future at other locations on its system as the need may arise.
Additionally, Northern notes in a footnote that the unit or parts of
the unit proposed to be abandoned may be salvaged rather than utilized
elsewhere on Northern's pipeline system. Northern contends that at the
time the unit is utilized it will seek any required Commission
authority in order to install and operate the compressor facilities at
a new location, as applicable. Northern states that all gas and service
piping to the unit will be disconnected and sealed off either by the
installation of blind flanges or weld caps. Northern states that it
will continue to utilize the dehydration equipment, tanks, and other
appurtenant valves and piping located in the plant yard for the
continued operation of its pipeline facilities located downstream of
the compressor station proposed for abandonment.
Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with
reference to said application should on or before July 23, 1997, file
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, D.C. 20426) a motion to intervene or a protest in
accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211) and the Regulations under the Natural
Gas Act (18 CFR 157.10). All protests filed with the Commission will be
considered by it in determining the appropriate action to be taken but
will not serve to make the protestants parties to the proceeding. Any
person wishing to become a party to a proceeding or to participate as a
party in any hearing therein must file a motion to intervene in
accordance with the Commission's Rules.
Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in
the subject to the jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission by Sections 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a hearing will be
held without further notice before the Commission or its designee on
this application if no motion to intervene is filed within the time
required herein, if the Commission on its on review of the matter finds
that permission and approval for the proposed abandonment are required
by the public convenience a necessity. If a motion for leave to
intervene is timely filed, or if the Commission on its own motion
believes that a formal hearing is required, further notice of such
hearing will be duly given.
Under the procedure herein provided for, unless otherwise advised,
it will be unnecessary for Northern to appear or be represented at the
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-17841 Filed 7-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
