[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 8607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5076]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP96-206-000]


Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation; Notice of Application

February 28, 1996.
    Take notice that on February 12, 1996, Transcontinental Gas Pipe 
Line Corporation (Transco), P.O. Box 1396, Houston, Texas 77251, filed 
an application pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act, for 
authority (1) To abandon by transfer to Williams Gas Processing-Gulf 
Coast (WPG), its affiliate, certain onshore and offshore certificated, 
all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with 
the Commission and open to public inspection.
    Transco states that as part of an ongoing corporate-wide 
restructuring of the Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) with the 
objective of separating all gathering facilities from the 
jurisdictional transmission companies, Transco seeks to spin down to 
WPG all its onshore and offshore facilities which are used primarily 
for the purpose of gathering. It is indicated that WPG is organized as 
a separate, stand-alone company independent of the interstate pipeline 
affiliates and that the focus of its business is providing competitive 
unbundled gathering services.
    Transco proposes to abandon two onshore systems, five offshore 
systems, and other miscellaneous onshore and offshore stub facilities. 
The onshore systems are The Tilden/McMullen Gathering System, which 
includes facilities in Frio, La Salle, McMullen, Atascosa, Live Oak, 
Bee, San Patricio, Goliad, Victoria, De Witt, Jackson, and Wharton 
Counties, Texas and the Kings Ranch Plant Gas Gathering System, which 
includes facilities in Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, Brooks, Duval, Jim 
Wells, and Kleberg Counties, Texas. The offshore systems are the North 
Padre Island Gathering System, the Central Texas Gathering System, and 
the North High Island/West Cameron Gathering System in offshore Texas 
and the Central Louisiana and Southeast Louisiana Gathering Systems in 
offshore Louisiana. In addition, Transco proposes to abandon certain 
miscellaneous offshore and onshore facilities, most of which are non-
contiguous to Transco's system and connect instead with third-party 
pipelines. Transco proposes to abandon the facilities at net book 
value, which as of December 31, 1995, was approximately $230,423,155.
    Transco states that WPG has made a related filing in Docket No. 
CP96-207-000, requesting a declaratory order finding that the 
facilities which it will acquire will not be subject to the 
Commission's jurisdiction.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before March 20, 1996, file 
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 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 385.214 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 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 approval for the proposed abandonment is 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 Transco to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-5076 Filed 3-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M