[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 154 (Thursday, August 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41396-41399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20221]


[Docket No. CP96-583-000, et al.]


MidCon Texas Pipeline Corp., et al; Natural Gas Certificate 
Filings

July 29, 1996.
    Take notice that the following filings have been made with the 
Commission:

1. MidCon Texas Pipeline Corp.

[Docket No. CP96-583-000]

    Take notice that on June 19, 1996, MidCon Texas Pipeline Corp. 
(MidCon Texas), located at 3200 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027-
7523, filed in Docket No. CP96-583-000, an application pursuant to 
Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act, Part 153 of the Commission's 
Regulations, Executive Order Nos. 10485 and 12038, and the Secretary of 
Energy's Delegation Order No. 0204-112. MidCon Texas seeks a 
Presidential Permit and Section 3 authority to site, construct, 
connect, operate, and maintain certain pipeline and metering facilities 
(the border crossing facilities) near Roma, Starr County, Texas, at a 
point on the International Boundary between the United States and the 
Republic of Mexico. MidCon Texas' proposal is more fully set forth in 
the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    MidCon Texas states that the border crossing facilities would 
consist of a dual-12-inch meter on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande 
River and approximately 800 feet of 24-inch pipe extending to the 
international Boundary in the middle of the river. The border crossing 
facilities are said to have a design capacity of 270 Mmcfd and are 
estimated to cost $520,000.
    The border crossing facilities will connect to a new 24-inch 
pipeline to be constructed in Mexico by MidCon Gas Natural de Mexico, 
S.A. de C.V., an affiliate of MidCon Texas. MidCon Texas states that it 
will extend its existing intrastate pipeline system in southwest Texas 
by constructing 15.6 miles of 24-inch pipeline to connect to the 
proposed border crossing facilities.
    Comment date: August 19, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

2. Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America

[Docket No. CP96-640-000]

    Take notice that on July 15, 1996, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of 
America (Natural), 701 East 22nd Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148, filed 
in Docket No. CP96-640-000 an application

[[Page 41397]]

pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for permission and 
approval to abandon certain certificated and uncertificated facilities 
to Mitchell Gas Services, Inc. (Mitchell), all as more fully set forth 
in the application on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    Natural proposes to abandon the facilities which make up its Wise 
County Gathering system in Wise County, Texas. It is also requested 
that the Commission determine the future jurisdiction of the entire 
Wise Gathering System. It is stated that if this abandonment is granted 
a request under NGA Section 4 would be made to terminate the services 
performed by these facilities.
    It is also stated that services would continue to be performed 
until the closing date of the sale.
    Comment date: August 19, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

3. Destin Pipeline Company Inc.

[Docket Nos. CP96-655-000, CP96-656-000 and CP96-657-000]

    Take notice that on July 24, 1996, Destin Pipeline Company Inc. 
(Destin), P.O. Box 2563, Birmingham, Alabama 35202-2563, filed in 
Docket Nos. CP96-655-000, CP96-656-000 and CP96-657-000 an application 
pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act and Parts 284 and 157 
of the Commission's Regulations for a certificate of public convenience 
and necessity to construct, own and operate natural gas pipeline 
facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, to provide 
open-access firm and interruptible transportation service through such 
facilities and to engage in certain routine activities, all as more 
fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission 
and open to public inspection.
    Destin states that it is a new company which seeks authorization to 
construct and operate a new large diameter interstate pipeline to 
transport gas from the Gulf of Mexico to interconnections with five 
interstate pipelines in the State of Mississippi. Destin states that 
the development of deepwater and corridor prospects in the Mississippi 
Canyon, DeSoto Canyon, Viosca Knoll, Main Pass, Destin Dome and Mobile 
areas in the Gulf of Mexico (Destin Corridor) is expected to make large 
volumes of gas supply available for downstream markets beginning in 
1999; however, there are capacity constraints in much of the existing 
pipeline infrastructure in southeastern Louisiana. Destin states that 
the proposed new pipeline, which will interconnect with pipelines at 
points well downstream of significant existing pipeline capacity 
constraints, will enable these deepwater gas supplies to flow directly 
into downstream markets.
    In Docket No. CP96-655-000, Destin requests authorization to 
construct and operate one gathering platform in Main Pass Block 248, 
Gulf of Mexico; one junction platform in Viosca Knoll Block 119, Gulf 
of Mexico; one 14,100 horsepower compressor station in Jackson County, 
Mississippi; one 11,600 horsepower compressor station in Greene County, 
Mississippi; 207 miles of 36-inch and 30-inch pipeline, and two miles 
of 16-inch pipeline extending from the proposed gathering platform 
northward to shore near Pascagoula, Mississippi and further to 
interconnections with Southern Natural Gas Company, Florida Gas 
Transmission Corporation, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation 
and Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company in Mississippi; and related pipeline 
interconnection, measurement and appurtenant facilities. Destin states 
that these pipelines serve a large portion of the natural gas markets 
and provide access to numerous other interstate pipelines through which 
the Destin Corridor reserves can be delivered to practically any area 
of the eastern United States through separate transportation 
arrangements. Destin states that an additional delivery point to Texas 
Eastern Transmission Corporation in Mississippi is planned through one 
such separate transportation arrangement with Southern and an 
application for approval of this arrangement will be filed shortly. In 
addition, Destin states that a third-party, non-jurisdictional 
processing plant, near Pascagoula, Mississippi, is contemplated as a 
separate component of the proposed project.
    Destin maintains that the proposed pipeline project will 
accommodate the transportation of approximately 1 Bcf of natural gas 
per day for delivery to downstream pipeline interconnections in 
Mississippi. Destin estimates the cost of the facilities to be $294 
million which will financed by equity and long-term debt.
    Destin requests a Preliminary Determination on non-environmental 
issues by January 15, 1997, with final approval on all issues by August 
1, 1997, so that the proposed facilities can be placed in service by 
February 1, 1999. Destin states that it does not have executed firm 
transportation contracts at this time and anticipates that it will 
require executed 10-year firm transportation agreements for at least 
700 Mmcf per day, the approximate level which Destin states is required 
in order to go forward with this project. Destin states that it will 
hold an open season from August 1, 1996 to December 15, 1996 and 
expects to file with the Commission executed firm transportation 
agreements within 60 days after issuance of the requested Preliminary 
Determination.
    In Docket No. CP96-656-000, Destin requests a blanket 
transportation certificate of public convenience and necessity under 
Part 284 of the Commission's Regulations in which to provide open-
access, self-implementing firm and interruptible transportation service 
on behalf of interstate pipelines and other shippers. Destin states 
that it will offer two firm transportation services. It is stated that 
service under Rate Schedule FT-1 will apply to any shipper that 
contracts for firm transportation service for a term of 10 years or 
more. Destin states that it proposes to charge for this service a 
traditional cost of service rate methodology that is levelized over a 
10-year period matching the 10-year commitment term of the initial 
service agreements. In addition, Destin states that the billing 
determinants for the Rate Schedule FT-1 service reflect a build-up 
matching the expected development profile of the Destin Corridor 
deliverability in the first three years of operation and an assumed 100 
percent subscription in the next seven years. Destin states that it 
expects the vast majority of its throughput will be under Rate Schedule 
FT-1, or a negotiated 10-year rate. It is stated that service under 
Rate Schedule FT-2 will apply to shippers contracting for firm 
transportation service for a term of less than 10 years. In addition, 
it is stated that service under Rate Schedule IT will be applicable to 
any shipper contracting for interruptible transportation regardless of 
contract term. Destin states that in order to tailor its commercial 
negotiations to the needs of its customers, its pro forma tariff 
provides that Destin may file negotiated rates consistent with 
Commission policy. Destin states that the recourse rate for negotiated 
rate transactions of 10 years or longer will be the FT-1 rate, and for 
shorter transactions, the recourse rate will be the FT-2 rate.
    Destin states that it will provide certain special features of 
transportation service which includes a transportation banking 
provision and, for an interim period prior to commercial operation of 
the pipeline, the allocation of delivery point capacity on a pro rata 
basis.
    In Docket No. CP96-657-000, Destin requests a blanket certificate 
of public convenience and necessity under Part 157 of the Commission's 
Regulations

[[Page 41398]]

authorizing the various activities stated in Subpart F of Part 157 of 
the Commission's Regulations.
    Comment date: Augyst 19, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

4. CNG Transmission Corporation Columbia Gulf Transmission Company 
Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line 
Corporation, Texas Gas Transmission Corporation

[Docket No. CP96-658-000]

    Take notice that on July 23, 1996, CNG Transmission Corporation 
(CNG), 445 West Main Street, Clarksburg, West Virginia 26302-2450; 
Columbia Gulf Transmission Company (Columbia Gulf), P.O. Box 1273, 
Charleston, West Virginia 25325-1273; Texas Eastern Transmission 
Corporation (Texas Eastern), P.O. Box 1642, Houston, Texas 77521-1642; 
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco), P.O. Box 1396, 
2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77251-1396; and Texas Gas 
Transmission Corporation (Texas Gas), 3800 Frederica Street, Owensboro, 
Kentucky 42301 filed an application pursuant to Section 7(b) of the 
Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Commission's Regulations for an 
order granting permission and approval to abandon certain X-Rate 
Schedules in Volumes 2 and 2A of the above-named companies' respective 
FERC Gas Tariffs for transportation and/or exchanges of natural gas in 
the Gulf of Mexico area, on and offshore Louisiana, and offshore Texas, 
all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with 
the Commission and open to public inspection.
    The X-Rate Schedules for which abandonment authority is requested 
are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Company                           Rate schedule         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CNG....................................  X-13, X-16, X-17, X-18, X-19, X-
                                          22, X-27                      
Columbia Gulf..........................  X-18, X-19, X-52               
Texas Eastern..........................  X-70, X-74                     
Transco................................  X-72                           
Texas Gas..............................  X-54, X-78                     
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CNG states that these X-Rate Schedule transportation and exchange 
agreements utilized capacity in the ``Southern State'' facilities for 
which CNG received abandonment authority from the Commission in Docket 
Nos. CP93-340, CP93-596, and CP94-148. Therefore, the companies named 
above seek to abandon the subject X-Rate Schedules since they are no 
longer necessary.
    Comment date: August 19, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

5. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company

[Docket No. CP96-664-000]

    Take notice that on July 24, 1996, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company 
(Tennessee), P.O. Box 2511, Houston, Texas 77252 filed an abbreviated 
application for an Order Approving Abandonment in the above-referenced 
docket.
    By its application, Tennessee seeks approval to abandon a 1,000 
horsepower turbine compressor unit and related facilities at 
Tennessee's Compressor Station 230B in East Aurora, New York. Tennessee 
states that the unit is not currently being utilized and that the 
abandonment will not affect service to any customer.
    Comment date: August 19, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

6. Williams Natural Gas Company

[Docket No. CP96-665-000]

    Take notice that on July 25, 1996, Williams Natural Gas Company 
(Williams), P.O. Box 3288, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101, filed in Docket No. 
CP96-665-000 a request pursuant to Section 157.205 of the Commission's 
Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.205) for 
authorization to abandon in place approximately 700 feet of 12-inch 
lateral pipeline and to construct approximately 900 feet of 4-inch 
replacement pipeline in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, under Williams' 
blanket certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-479-000 pursuant to 
Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act, all as more fully set forth in the 
request which is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    Williams states that the projected volume of delivery will remain 
unchanged.
    Williams states further that construction cost is estimated to be 
$30,936 which will be fully reimbursed.
    Comment date: September 12, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.

7. Ozark Gas Transmission System

[Docket No. CP96-666-000]

    Take notice that on July 25, 1996, Ozark Gas Transmission System 
(Ozark), 13430 Northwest Freeway, Suite 1200, Houston, Texas 77040, 
filed in Docket No. CP96-666-000 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 operate in interstate 
commerce certain facilities previously constructed or operated to 
effectuate transportation services pursuant to Section 311 of the 
Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) under Ozark's blanket certificate issued 
in Docket No. CP85-134 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.
    Ozark seeks authorization to operate in interstate commerce certain 
existing delivery points which were initially installed under Section 
311 of the NGPA. The points at issues are the ONG 6'' Delivery Point 
located in Haskell County, Oklahoma, the AOG/Stevens McBride Delivery 
Point located in Sebastian County, Arkansas, and the AECC Delivery 
Point located in Franklin County, Arkansas.
    Ozark states that its request is being filed to improve its 
operational flexibility and attendant market responsiveness to the 
increasingly competitive natural gas industry. Ozark further states 
that granting its request would make the subject facilities available 
to any shipper desiring the transportation of natural gas in interstate 
commerce.
    Comment date: September 12, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.

Standard Paragraphs

    F. Any person desiring to be heard or make any protest with 
reference to said filing should on or before the comment date file with 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., 
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 385.214) 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 filing 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

[[Page 41399]]

certificate 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 the applicant to appear or be represented at 
the hearing.
    G. Any person or the Commission's staff may, within 45 days after 
the 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 
therefore, 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.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-20221 Filed 8-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P