[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 41376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20273]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP97-640-000]
Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application
July 28, 1997.
Take notice that on July 15, 1997, Northern Natural Gas Company
(Northern), P.O. Box 3330, Omaha, Nebraska 68103-0330, filed in Docket
No. CP97-640-000 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 by sale of CNG
Producing Company (CNG) Northern's ownership interest certain non-
contiguous pipeline facilities, with appurtenances, located in
Matagorda Island, Offshore Texas (these facilities are known as the
High Island Block 571A Lateral), all as more fully set forth in the
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public
inspection.
According to Northern, the Commission found that High Island 571
facilities to be non-jurisdictional gathering facilities pursuant to an
Order issued June 17, 1994 in CNG Transmission Corporation.\1\ Northern
proposes to transfer the High Island 571 facilities to CNG which will
operate the facilities on a non-jurisdictional basis. According to
Northern, CNG will assume all future obligations, and operational and
economic responsibilities for these facilities. Northern contends that
it will not seek any Order No. 636 stranded facility costs associated
with its High Island 571 facilities. Northern states that the
facilities to be conveyed to CNG consist of Northern's ownership
interest of 15.625% of approximately 7.5 miles of 20-inch pipeline and
appurtenant facilities, such pipeline extends from the platform in High
Island Block A-571 and terminates at High Island Block A-546 where it
connects to the High Island Offshore System (HIOS).
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\1\ CNG Transmission Corporation, et al., 67 FERC para. 61,330
(1994) and 69 FERC para. 61,650 (1994).
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Northern states that it constructed these facilities pursuant to
its authority in Docket No. CP80-375-000. Northern states that in the
High Island 571 facilities were initially installed in order to connect
new gas supplies required for Northern's merchant sales obligation.
Northern contends that it is not currently providing transportation
service through its capacity on these facilities. Northern requests
that the abandonment authority include any facilities constructed
pursuant to its blanket authority during the processing of the proposed
application. Northern states that CNG will assume the entire economic
risk of the High Island 571 facilities, and any remaining service
obligations associated with the facilities it seeks to acquire from
Northern. Northern notes that the High Island 571 facilities are
located on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and are subject to
sections 5 (e) and (f) of the OCS Lands Acts (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1334
(e) and (f). Northern asserts that the proposed abandonment does not
involve a significant environmental impact and granting the requested
authorization will not constitute a major federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment.
Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with
reference to said application should on or before August 18, 1997, file
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 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
and 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 and 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. 97-20273 Filed 7-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
