[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 44914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21406]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP99-597-000]
Northeren Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application
August 12, 1999.
Take notice that on August 4, 1999, Northern Natural Gas Company
(Northern), 111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, filed in
Docket No. CP99-597-000 an application pursuant to Section 7(b) of the
Natural Gas Act (NGA), for permission and approval to abandon, by
transfer to Sonat Exploration GOM, Inc. (Sonat), certain non-contiguous
pipeline facilities, with appurtenances, located in the Grand Isle
Area, Offshore Louisiana. The subject facility is known as the Grand
Isle Block 80 Lateral (GI 80 Lateral). Northern also requests approval,
concurrent with the conveyance of the facilities, to abandon, certain
services rendered through the subject facilities, all as more fully set
forth in the application on file with the Commission and open to public
inspection. This filing may be viewed on the web at http://
www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-208-2222 for assistance).
Communications concerning this filing should be addressed to:
Michele Winckowsk, Senior Regulatory Analyst @ 402-398-7082 or Keith L.
Petersen, Director of Certificates and Reporting, Northern Natural Gas
Company, Post Office Box 3330, Omaha, Nebraska 68103-0330, Telephone:
402-398-7421, Fax: 402-398-7592.
The GI 80 Lateral consists of approximately 5.4 miles of 8-inch
pipeline, with appurtenances, and extends from Grand Isle Block 80 to
an underwater tap valve on Trunkline Gas Company's facilities located
in Grand Isle Block 82. The subject facilities are located on the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) and are subject to Sections 5(e) and 5(f) of
the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA).
It is stated that the GI 80 Lateral was initially installed to
connect new gas supplies required for Northern's merchant sales
obligation, but that the subject facilities are no longer needed by
Northern as its role in the marketplace has changed from a merchant to
a transponder of natural gas. Northern further states that the subject
facilities are non-contiguous to it's traditional transmission pipeline
system, and that the Grand Isle 80 facilities were declared non-
jurisdictional gathering pursuant to the Commission's Order issued
February 13, 1995 in Docket No. CP92-498-005.
Northern avers that on or about November 4, 1998, a gas leak was
discovered in the vicinity of the GI 80 Lateral. It was subsequently
determined that damage to the GI 80 Lateral had caused the gas leak.
After considering the repair cost for the GI 80 Lateral, Northern
negotiated to convey the subject facilities to Sonat. It is stated that
Sonat intends to repair the lateral when it completes the drilling of
its new production wells which will ultimately be connected to the GI
80 Lateral.
Northern indicates that it currently provides interruptible
transportation service on the subject facilities, on a month-to-month
basis.
Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with
reference to said application should on or before September 2, 1999,
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
any 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 own 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.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-21406 Filed 8-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
