[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 160 (Friday, August 18, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43143-43146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20487]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP95-639-000, et al.]
Shell Offshore Inc., et al.; Natural Gas Certificate Filings
August 11, 1995.
Take notice that the following filings have been made with the
Commission:
1. Shell Offshore Inc.
[Docket No. CP95-639-000]
Take notice that on July 24, 1995, Shell Offshore Inc. (SOI), P.O.
Box 576, Houston, Texas 77079, filed in Docket No. CP95-639-000 a
petition pursuant to Section 16 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and Rule
207(a)(2) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR
385.207 (a)(2)), for a declaratory order disclaiming Commission
jurisdiction over a certain facility and the services provided through
it, all as more fully set forth in the petition which is on file with
the Commission and open to public inspection.1
\1\ SOI indicates that a related application was being filed
concurrently in Docket No. CP95-640-000 by Transco and FGT,
requesting authorization to abandon the facilities by sale to SOI.
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SOI requests a declaratory order from the Commission finding that
the acquisition, ownership and operation by SOI of a natural gas meter
facility presently owned by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company
(Transco) and Florida Gas Transmission Company (FGT) will not subject
SOI, or any portion of its facilities or services to the Commission's
jurisdiction under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) or the Commission's
Regulations thereunder. Restated, SOI seeks an order finding that (1)
the meter facility would be exempt from Commission jurisdiction
pursuant to the ``production and gathering exemption'' in Section 1(b)
of the NGA, and (2) SOI would not become a ``natural gas company''
pursuant to Section 2 of the NGA by virtue of the proposed acquisition,
ownership and operation of the facility. SOI states that it is a wholly
owned indirect subsidiary of Shell Oil Company, and is engaged
primarily in the business of exploring for and producing oil and
natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico.
SOI states that it has entered into an agreement with Transco and
FGT whereby it would purchase the natural gas meter facility located at
the tailgate of its Yellowhammer gas treatment plant near Coden in
Mobile County, Alabama. SOI states that the meter facility is currently
used to measure residue gas leaving the tailgate of the Yellowhammer
plant for delivery into the Mobile Bay area jurisdictional
transportation facilities of Transco and FGT (the Onshore Mobile Bay
Pipeline).
SOI advises that the meter facility is classified by Transco for
jurisdictional ratemaking purposes as a gathering facility, and
shippers moving gas through Transco's capacity in the meter facility
must pay Transco's separately stated gathering charge under its
transportation rate schedules. Further, SOI advises that FGT does not
have a separately stated gathering charge for services rendered through
the meter
[[Page 43144]]
facility. SOI states that, upon acquisition by SOI, the meter facility
would become part of SOI's Yellowhammer gas treatment plant facilities.
SOI advises that thereafter shippers on the Transco system would no
longer be required to pay Transco's separately stated gathering charge
for transportation service from the plant.
Comment date: September 1, 1995, in accordance with the first
paragraph of Standard Paragraph F at the end of this notice.
2. Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation and Florida Gas
Transmission Company
[Docket No. CP95-640-000]
Take notice that on July 25, 1995, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line
Corporation (Transco), P.O. Box 1396, Houston, Texas 77251, and Florida
Gas Transmission Company (Florida) (Transco and Florida are referred to
jointly as Applicants), 1400 Smith Street, P.O. Box 1188, Houston,
Texas 77251-1188, filed in Docket No. CP95-640-000 an application
pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for permission and
approval to abandon a jointly owned meter facility which was authorized
in Docket No. CP88-570, et al.,2 all as more fully set forth in
the application on file with the Commission and open to public
inspection.3
\2\ The meter facility was constructed by Transco as part of the
Mobile Bay Lateral pursuant to the certificate of public convenience
and necessity granted by order issued June 4, 1991, in Docket Nos.
CP88-570, et al., 55 FERC para.61,358 (1991). Florida acquired its
37.22% ownership interest in the Mobile Bay Lateral pursuant to the
authorizations granted in Docket Nos. CP92-182, et al. See Florida
Gas Transmission Co., et al., 62 FERC para.61,024 (1993); 63 FERC
para.61,093 (1993); and 66 FERC para.61,160 (1994).
\3\ It is indicated that SOI filed a related petition in Docket
No. CP95-639-000 for an order from the Commission declaring the
metering facilities non-jurisdictional upon their acquisition by
SOI.
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Applicants propose to abandon by sale to Shell Offshore Inc. (SOI)
the Yellowhammer Meter Station located just downstream (0.20 mile) of
SOI's gas treatment facility, located near Coden in Mobile County,
Alabama. It is indicated that the meter is used to measure natural gas
treated by SOI and delivered into the Mobile Bay Lateral (also known as
the Onshore Mobile Bay Pipeline). Applicants state that SOI has agreed
to pay the net book value of the facility as of the closing of the
purchase and sale. Applicants advise that the estimated net book value
of the meter facility is $318,612 as of August 31, 1995.
Applicants explain that the meter facility is currently classified
for rate purposes on Transco's system as a gathering facility, and,
therefore, shippers moving gas through Transco's capacity in the meter
facility must pay Transco's separately stated gathering charge under
its transportation rate schedules. (Florida does not have a separately
stated gathering charge for services rendered through the meter
facility.) It is stated that, by transferring ownership of the meter
facility to SOI, the meter facilities would be considered as part of
SOI's gas treatment operations and, as a result, Transco's shippers no
longer would incur Transco's separately stated gathering charge for
transportation service from the plant.
Comment date: September 1, 1995, in accordance with Standard
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.
3. K N Interstate Gas Transmission Company
[Docket No. CP95-671-000]
Take notice that on August 8, 1995, K N Interstate Gas Transmission
Co. (K N Interstate), P.O. Box 281304, Lakewood, Colorado 80228-8304,
filed in Docket No. CP95-671-000 a request pursuant to Sections 157.205
and 157.212 of the Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act
(18 CFR 157.205, 157.212) for authorization to install and operate a
new delivery tap under K N Interstate's blanket certificate issued in
Docket No. CP83-140-000, et al., pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural
Gas Act, all as more fully set forth in the request that is on file
with the Commission and open to public inspection.
K N Interstate proposes to install and operate a new delivery tap
in Dawes County, Nebraska. This tap will be added as a delivery point
under an existing transportation agreement between K N Interstate and K
N Energy Inc. (K N) and will be used by K N to facilitate the delivery
of natural gas to a direct retail customer.
Comment date: September 25, 1995, in accordance with Standard
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.
4. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
[Docket No. CP95-672-000]
Take notice that on August 8, 1995, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
(Tennessee), P.O. Box 2511, Houston, Texas 77252, filed in Docket No.
CP95-672-000 a request pursuant to Sections 157.205 and 157.212 of the
Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.205 and
157.212) and under its blanket authority issued in Docket No. CP82-413-
000 pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act, for authorization to
upgrade an existing delivery point for its customer, the Hardeman-
Fayette Utility District (Hardeman-Fayette), all as more fully set
forth in the request which is on file with the Commission and open to
public inspection.
Specifically, Tennessee proposes to upgrade the Hardeman-Fayette
delivery point located at Tennessee's M.P. 70-4+10.17 in Hardeman
County, Tennessee, by replacing an existing check valve and
approximately 165 feet of 1-inch interconnecting pipe with 2-inch pipe,
running from the 2-inch tap valve on Tennessee's 100-4 Line to the
Hardeman-Fayette Meter. Additionally, Tennessee will replace the pipe
within the meter station from 1-inch to 2-inch.
Tennessee states that the total quantities to be delivered to
Hardeman-Fayette will not exceed the total quantities authorized.
Finally, Tennessee asserts that the upgrade of this facility is not
prohibited by its tariff, and that it has sufficient capacity to
accomplish deliveries without detriment or disadvantage to any of
Tennessee's other customers.
Tennessee states that the estimated cost for installation of the
facilities is $29,800.
Comment date: September 25, 1995, in accordance with Standard
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.
5. Northwest Pipeline Corporation
[Docket No. CP95-674-000]
Take notice that on August 8, 1995, Northwest Pipeline Corporation
(Northwest), 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84158, filed in
Docket No. CP95-647-000 a request pursuant to Sections 157.205,
157.216, and 157.211 of the Commission's Regulations under the Natural
Gas Act (18 CFR 157.205, 157.216, and 157.211) for permission and
approval to abandon certain facilities and authorization to construct
and operate replacement facilities, under Northwest's blanket
certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-433-000 pursuant to Section 7 of
the Natural Gas Act, all as more fully set forth in the request that is
on file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
Specifically, Northwest proposes to modify the Redmond Meter
Station in King County, Washington, to more efficiently accommodate
existing firm maximum daily delivery obligations at this delivery point
to Washington Natural Gas Company. Northwest states that the proposed
facility replacement will increase the maximum design capacity of the
meter station from 43,333 Dth per day to approximately 50,331 Dth per
day. The total cost of the proposed facility modification at the
Redmond Station is estimated to be approximately $107,650.
[[Page 43145]]
Comment date: September 25, 1995, in accordance with Standard
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.
6. Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company
[Docket No. CP95-675-000]
Take notice that on August 8, 1995, Williston Basin Interstate
Pipeline Company (Williston Basin), Suite 300, 200 North Third Street,
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501, filed in Docket No. CP95-675-000 a
request pursuant to Sections 157.205 and 157.211 of the Commission's
Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.205, 157.211) for
authorization to install a meter and regulator at an existing tap site
to effectuate natural gas transportation deliveries to Montana-Dakota
Utilities Co. (Montana-Dakota), a local distribution company, under
Williston Basin's blanket certificate issued in Docket No. CP83-1-000
pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act, all as more fully set
forth in the request that is on file with the Commission and open to
public inspection.
Williston Basin proposes to install a meter and regulator at an
existing tap site located in Lawrence County, South Dakota to enable it
to provide natural gas deliveries to Montana-Dakota for ultimate
delivery to approximately twenty-six additional residential customers.
Williston Basin states that it would provide up to 5 Mcf per day
additional service to Montana-Dakota under its Rate Schedules FT-1 and/
or IT-1 and that such volume is within the certificated entitlements of
the customer. Williston Basin further states that the proposed service
will have no significant effect on its peak day or annual requirements.
Williston Basin states that the total cost to install the meter and
regulator is approximately $2,250 and that the actual cost of the
facilities is 100% reimbursable by Montana-Dakota.
Comment date: September 25, 1995, in accordance with Standard
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.
7. Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation
[Docket No. CP95-681-000]
Take notice that on August 10, 1995, Texas Eastern Transmission
Corporation (Texas Eastern), P.O. Box 1642, Houston, Texas 77251-1642,
filed in Docket No. CP95-681-000 an application, pursuant to Section
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act, for a certificate of public convenience
and necessity for authorization to construct, install, own, operate and
maintain an additional 700 horsepower of compression facilities at its
existing Gas City Compressor Station on the Lebanon Lateral, and to
revise, restate and reduce its currently effective Part 284 rates for
Rate Schedules LLFT and LLIT services, all as more fully set forth in
the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public
inspection.
Texas Eastern proposes to upgrade by 700 horsepower its existing
reciprocating compressor unit at Gas City, Grant County, Indiana from
the current 2,700 horsepower up to a total of 3,400 horsepower to
increase natural gas transportation capacity on the Lebanon Lateral by
approximately 29,944 dt equivalent on natural gas per day. To
accomplish this increase, Texas Eastern states that it would construct
and install two additional power cylinders and modify the turbocharger
at the existing 2,700 horsepower Gas City unit. After installation of
the facilities proposed herein, Texas Eastern states that the maximum
operational capacity of the Lebanon Lateral would be 359,220 dt
equivalent per day. Texas Eastern states that the estimated total
capital cost of the proposed facilities is approximately $224,000, to
be financed initially with funds on hand. Texas Eastern also states
that the proposed facilities would be located entirely within the
existing Gas City compressor station building.
Texas Eastern also requests authorization herein to file a limited
rate proceeding under Section 4 of the Natural Gas Act after receipt of
the certificate authorization requested herein and prior to the in-
service date of the proposed facilities to revise and restate the rates
applicable to Texas Eastern's Part 284, open-access Rate Schedules LLFT
and LLIT.
Texas Eastern submits that the revised and restated rates for Rate
Schedules LLFT and LLIT result in a 15 percent reduction of the maximum
rates. It is indicated that Texas Eastern's pro forma tariff sheet for
Rate Schedules LLFT and LLIT illustrates the revised and restated rates
resulting in a Reservation Charge of $4.552 per dt equivalent on
natural gas per day. It is stated that on a 100 percent load factor
basis, the revised and restated rate is equivalent to $0.1504 per dt
equivalent of natural gas. Texas Eastern also states that the revised
and restated rates are based on the cost of service and allocation
methodology filed and approved in Texas Eastern's compliance filing in
Docket Nos. CP92-459, et al., as adjusted to include the cost of
service associated with the additional facilities proposed in this
application. It is stated that the cost of service underlying Texas
Eastern's current Rate Schedules LLFT and LLIT rates and revised cost
of service reflected in Exhibit P of the filing are based on Texas
Eastern's cost of service factors approved in Docket Nos. RP90-119, et
al.
Texas Eastern states that the additional facilities would enable it
to make additional firm and interruptible transportation on the Lebanon
Lateral. Texas Eastern also states that this service would benefit
natural gas transportation customers who desire to access additional
Gulf Coast gas supplies by transporting such gas quantities through
Trunkline Gas Company and other interstate pipelines to
interconnections with Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company for further
downstream transportation on Texas Eastern and other interstate
pipelines to Mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets. In addition, it is
indicated that, after Texas Eastern's revised and restated rates are
placed into effect, all Rate Schedule LLFT and LLIT customers would
enjoy maximum rates for such services that would be 15 percent lower
than current maximum rates.
It is also indicated that Texas Eastern had previously received
authorization to construct and operate the 700 horsepower of
compression but, because of postponements of the Liberty Pipeline
Project, Texas Eastern allowed the authorization to lapse.
Comment date: August 25, 1995, in accordance with Standard
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.
Standard Paragraphs:
F. Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with
reference to said application should on or before the comment date,
file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 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 385.214 or 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
[[Page 43146]]
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 own review of the matter finds that a grant of the
certificate and/or 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 applicant to appear or be represented at the
hearing.
G. Any person or the Commission's staff may, within 45 days after
issuance of the instant notice by the Commission, file pursuant to Rule
214 of the Commission's Procedural Rules (18 CFR 385.214) a motion to
intervene or notice of intervention and pursuant to Section 157.205 of
the Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.205) a protest to
the request. If no protest is filed within the time allowed therefor,
the proposed activity shall be deemed to be authorized effective the
day after the time allowed for filing a protest. If a protest is filed
and not withdrawn within 30 days after the time allowed for filing a
protest, the instant request shall be treated as an application for
authorization pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-20487 Filed 8-17-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
