[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 213 (Friday, November 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56530-56531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28028]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP97-52-000]


Florida Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Application for 
Abandonment

October 28, 1996.
    Take notice that on October 22, 1996, Florida Gas Transmission 
Company (FGT), 1400 Smith Street, Houston, Texas 77002, filed, in 
Docket No. CP97-52-000, an abbreviated application pursuant to Section 
7(b) of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Commission's 
Regulations for an order authorizing FGT to abandon by sale to Copano 
Field Services/Copano Bay, L.P. (Copano), the Blind Pass Facilities, 
consisting of 36 miles of various diameter pipeline (ranging from 3 
inches to 6 inches in diameter) and measurement facilities, with 
appurtenances, located in San Patricio, Aransas, and Nueces Counties, 
Texas, all as more fully set forth in the application.
    FGT relates that the Blind Pass Facilities have not been fully 
utilized for several years. FGT states they were designed to move 
approximately 10,000 Mcf per day of natural gas to the Florida market, 
but the most recent twelve-month period ending May 1996, shows an 
average daily volume of 500 Mcf/d, less than 5% of the design capacity. 
FGT asserts that because it is an interstate pipeline, subject to the 
Commission's regulatory authority, it cannot compete effectively with 
the non-jurisdictional entities providing gathering services. FGT 
maintains that it has been unsuccessful in connecting any significant 
additional supplies, even though this is a production area where new 
reserves and production are being added each year.
    FGT, therefore, proposes to sell the Blind Pass Facilities to 
Copano, which will operate the facilities on a non-jurisdictional 
basis. Copano anticipates attaching additional supplies to the Blind 
Pass Facilities, which will increase the throughput through FGT's 
Station No. 3. FGT states that inasmuch as the facilities are to be 
sold to Copano, the capital and operating costs of the facilities will 
be removed from FGT's rate base and cost-of-service, and there will be 
no stranded facility costs associated with the proposed abandonment. 
FGT believes that Copano, as a non-jurisdictional entity, will have 
competitive flexibility, which FGT does not, which will allow Copano to 
compete on a level playing field with other unregulated gathering 
service providers. FGT asserts that approval of the abandonment should 
increase the supply options available to FGT's customers, increase 
competition in the

[[Page 56531]]

gas supply market and enhance the value of firm capacity on FGT's 
system.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before November 18, 1996, 
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 385.211 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 in any proceeding herein 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 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 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 FGT to appear or to be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-28028 Filed 10-31-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M