[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65203-65205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31452]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP96-492-002, et al.]


CNG Transmission Corporation, et al.; Natural Gas Certificate 
Filings

December 4, 1996.
    Take notice that the following filings have been made with the 
Commission:

1. CNG Transmission Corporation

[Docket No. CP96-492-002]

    Take notice that on November 26, 1996, CNG Transmission Corporation 
(CNG), 445 West Main Street, Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301, filed in 
Docket No. CP96-492-001, an amendment to its pending application in 
Docket No. CP96-492-000 for a certificate of public convenience and 
necessity, pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act, to 
construct and operate facilities for the transportation and storage of 
natural gas on a firm basis. Take notice also that on October 30, 1996, 
CNG filed a supplement to its pending application in Docket No. CP96-
492-000 requesting authorization for the conversion and operation of 
existing salt caverns and the construction and operation of new salt 
caverns for the storage of natural gas in interstate commerce at the 
Bath Petroleum Storage Inc. (Bath Petroleum) site in Steuben County, 
New York. CNG's proposals are more fully set forth in the amendment and 
supplement which are on file with the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (Commission) and open to public inspection.
    In its supplement, CNG requests authorization for Bath Petroleum to 
convert and operate existing salt caverns (well numbers 1, 3, 5, 6, and 
7) at the Bath Petroleum site and lease storage capacity to CNG for 
natural gas storage in 1997. CNG also seeks authorization for Bath 
Petroleum to construct and operate well Numbers 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, 
and to lease storage capacity in these caverns to CNG for natural gas 
storage after 1998.
    CNG's amendment reflects a change in the pipe diameter of the TL-
504 pipeline, changes in the rates associated with this project, a 
change in the well numbers to be designated for natural gas storage, 
and requests appropriate authorization for additional brine disposal 
wells associated with the development of salt covers for natural gas 
storage.
    Comment date: December 26, 1996, in accordance with the first 
paragraph of Standard Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

2. Northern Natural Gas Company

[Docket No. CP97-121-000]

    Take notice that on November 25, 1996, Northern Natural Gas Company 
(Northern), 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, filed in 
Docket No. CP97-121-000, an abbreviated application pursuant to Section 
7(b) of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Commission's 
Regulations, for permission and approval to abandon the Big Lake 
Compressor Station located in Regan County, Texas, all as more fully 
set forth in the request which is on file with the Commission and open 
to public inspection.
    Northern states that due to changes in operating conditions on the 
Northern system, the proposed abandonment of natural gas compression 
facilities at the Big Lake Compressor Station will not adversely affect 
Northern's ability to meet current service obligations. Moreover, 
Northern says the proposed abandonment of facilities will not result in 
the abandonment of service to any of Northern's existing shippers.
    Comment date: December 26, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

3. NorAm Gas Transmission Company

[Docket No. CP97-122-000]

    Take notice that on November 25, 1996, NorAm Gas Transmission 
Company (NGT), 525 Milam, Shreveport, Louisiana 71151 filed in Docket 
No. CP97-122-000 a request pursuant to Sections 157.205, and 157.211 of 
the Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.205 
and 157.211) for approval and permission to construct and operate a 
delivery tap for ARKLA, a distribution division of NorAm Energy 
Corporation (ARKLA), under the blanket certificate issued in Docket No. 
CP82-384-000, as amended in Docket No. CP82-384-001, pursuant to 
Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), all as more fully set forth 
in the request which is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    NGT states that it proposes to construct and operate a new two-inch 
delivery tap on NGT's Line JM-23 in Crittenden County, Arkansas to 
provide service to ARKLA. NGT further states that ARKLA will construct 
the four-inch meter station and convey it to NGT. NGT indicates that it 
will own and operate the tap, first-cut regulator and meter. NGT 
asserts that the estimated volumes to be delivered through the above 
facilities are 5,760 MMBtu annually and 10 MMBtu on a peak day. NGT 
also asserts that these facilities will be constructed at a cost of 
$2,435 of which ARKLA will reimburse NGT $1,538.
    Comment date: January 21, 1997, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.

4. Northern Natural Gas Company

[Docket No. CP97-125-000]

    Take notice that on November 26, 1996, Northern Natural Gas Company 
(Northern), 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1000, filed 
in Docket No. CP97-125-000 a request pursuant Sections 157.205(b) and 
157.212 of the Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 
CFR 157.205(b) and 157.212) to install and operate a new delivery 
point, located in Ochiltree County, Texas to accommodate interruptible 
natural gas deliveries to Midgard Energy Company (Midgard) under 
Northern's blanket certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-401-000 
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.
    Northern states that it requests authority to install and operate 
the proposed delivery point to accommodate interruptible natural gas 
deliveries to Midgard for commercial use under Northern's currently 
effective throughput service agreement(s). Northern asserts that 
Midgard has requested the proposed delivery point to provide compressor 
fuel and starting gas located in Ochiltree County, Texas.
    Northern states that the proposed volumes that would be delivered 
to Midgard at the proposed delivery point are 2,000 MMBtu on a peak day 
and 500,000 MMBtu on an annual basis. Northern estimates a cost of 
$11,600 for installing the proposed delivery point. It is stated that 
Midgard would reimburse Northern for the total cost of installing the 
delivery point.
    Comment date: January 21, 1997, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.

5. Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation

[Docket No. CP97-127-000]

    Take notice that on November 22, 1996, Columbia Gas Transmission

[[Page 65204]]

Corporation (Columbia), 1700 MacCorkle Avenue, S.E., Charleston, West 
Virginia 25325-1273, filed in Docket No. CP97-127-000 an application 
pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for permission and 
approval to abandon certain certificated facilities by sale. In 
addition, Columbia requests an order declaring that upon and after 
approval for the abandonment, the subject facilities are and will be 
exempt from Commission jurisdiction under the Natural Gas Act as 
gathering facilities, all as more fully set forth in the application on 
file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
    Columbia states that the sale of these certificated facilities is 
an integral part of Columbia's plan to sell the majority of its 
gathering facilities in order to expedite Columbia's full unbundling of 
rates and services as required under Order No. 636. Columbia states 
that the sale of its gathering facilities, including the certificated 
facilities, will allow Columbia to cease providing gathering services 
and to mitigate costs. Columbia further states that it intends to sell 
the gathering facilities (divided into eighteen designated geographic 
groups for descriptive purposes), located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West 
Virginia and Maryland. In addition, Columbia states that of the 
eighteen designated systems, all facilities, with the exception of a 
portion of the system committed for sale at net book value to 
Mountaineer Gas Company (Mountaineer), will be offered for sale by 
public auction. Specifically, Columbia states that it proposes to 
abandon by sale the certificated facilities consisting of approximately 
189.7 miles of various sized pipeline and the 225 horsepower 
McClellandtown compressor station. In addition, Columbia proposes to 
abandon the points of delivery as identified in Exhibit T to the 
application which consists of 139 town border stations and 4,081 
mainline consumers. Also requested is the authorization needed to 
abandon five points of exchange with CNG Transmission Corporation under 
Columbia's Rate Schedules X-35 and
X-84, all of which are served from the certificated facilities and 
noncertificated gathering facilities to be sold.
    It is stated that the subject Docket No. CP97-127-000 is related to 
and is being filed concurrently with a partial settlement in Columbia's 
pending Section 4 rate proceeding in Docket No. RP95-408, et al. 
(Settlement), which resolves all issues related to the unbundling of 
gathering costs and services.
    Columbia states that the certificated facilities proposed to be 
abandoned by public auction and sale are currently functioning as 
gathering facilities and are an integral part of the geographic 
gathering groups to be auctioned and sold. Columbia states that the 
purchasing parties are generally unknown at this time. Columbia further 
states that Mountaineer is purchasing certain of the facilities in West 
Virginia, and a bid has been accepted (subject to certain 
contingencies) whereby Somerset Exploration Corporation will purchase 
certain of the facilities located in Pennsylvania. Columbia states that 
as a condition of the sale, Columbia will require the purchasers of the 
gathering facilities to continue to provide Columbia's gathering 
customers with gathering service on an open access, non-jurisdictional 
basis and to charge, during a period of up to two years, no more than 
the rates specified in the Settlement.
    Columbia maintains that approval of this proposal will allow 
Columbia to focus on its primary businesses of interstate gas 
transportation and storage. Columbia further maintains that the auction 
and sale of these gathering facilities will further result, ultimately, 
in reduced costs for Columbia's customers through reduction in 
operation and maintenance costs. In addition, Columbia states that it 
will credit the net proceeds from the sale of the gathering facilities 
to reduce its customers' cost responsibility in accordance with the 
Settlement. Finally, as reflected in the Settlement, Columbia states 
that the respective purchasers of Columbia's gathering facilities will 
be obligated to continue to provide service to Columbia's gathering 
customers on an open-access basis and to charge rates not to exceed the 
gathering rates established by the Settlement for a period of up to two 
years from the date of purchase, but not beyond January 31, 2000.
    Columbia advises that it has provided notice of the sale via press 
releases to newspapers and trade journals and has posted notice of the 
sale, including maps of the affected facilities, on its electronic 
bulletin board which is accessible through the Internet (World Wide 
Web) at http://www.Columbiaenergy.com/sale, and Columbia is now in the 
process of accepting and evaluating bids for the gathering systems by 
geographic area.
    In addition, Columbia states that of the approximately 3,332 miles 
of pipeline being auctioned, many of the facilities were not 
certificated because of their location and function. Only 189.7 miles 
of pipeline and one of the eight compressor stations (the 225 
horsepower McClellandtown compressor station), totaling 1,317 
horsepower, in the eighteen gathering groups have ever been 
certificated. The certificated lines and the compressor station 
proposed for sale are primarily functionalized on Columbia's books of 
account as transmission and storage facilities except for 8.3 miles of 
pipeline currently functionalized as gathering. However, Columbia 
states, that once these facilities have been sold, these lines and 
stations will perform a non-jurisdictional gathering function.
    Comment date: December 26, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

6. Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America

[Docket No. CP97-132-000]

    Take notice that on November 27, 1996, Natural Gas Pipeline Company 
of America (Natural), 701 East 2nd Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148, 
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 a firm transportation service for 
Chevron Chemical Company (Chevron Chemical) performed under Natural's 
Rate Schedule X-139, authorized in Docket No. CP85-347, as amended. The 
application is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    Natural states that said transportation service was effected by 
Chevron U.S.A., Inc. (Chevron U.S.A.), a producer, tendering gas it 
produced in West Cameron Blocks 532, 533 and 534, offshore Louisiana 
for Chevron Chemical's account at existing interconnections between 
Chevron U.S.A. and Stingray Pipeline Company (Stingray). Pursuant to a 
gas transportation agreement between Natural and Chevron Chemical dated 
September 26, 1977 (Agreement), as amended on January 11, 1985, Natural 
transported through its capacity in Stingray up to 3,750 Mcf of natural 
gas per day for Chevron Chemical to an onshore interconnection between 
Natural and Stingray located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana (Holly 
Beach). From Holly Beach, Natural further transported the gas to an 
interconnection with Koch Gateway Pipeline Company at the Texaco Henry 
Plant in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana for ultimate delivery to Chevron 
Chemical.
    Natural states that by a letter agreement dated November 12, 1996, 
Natural and Chevron Chemical agreed to terminate the Agreement, as 
amended, as of December 1, 1996.

[[Page 65205]]

    Comment date: December 26, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

7. Questar Pipeline Company

[Docket No. CP97-133-000]

    Take notice that on November 29, 1996, Questar Pipeline Company 
(Questar), 79 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111, filed in 
Docket No. CP97-133-000 a request pursuant to Sections 157.205, 157.212 
and 157.216 of the Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act 
(18 CFR 157.205, 157.212 and 157.216) for authorization to abandon 
existing metering and regulating (M&R) facilities and to install 
replacement M&R facilities for the purpose of increasing delivery 
capacity to Mountain Fuel Supply Company (MFS), Questar's local 
distribution company affiliate, at the existing Gookin Tap delivery 
point located in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, under Questar's blanket 
certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-491-000 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.
    Questar explains that the city of Rock Springs, Wyoming is 
experiencing substantial growth in the vicinity of the Gookin Tap 
delivery point. Questar states that as a result of the continuing 
growth in residential hook-ups, the existing M&R facilities are too 
small to service the capacity demands required by the MFS distribution 
system. Questar explains that to continue providing reliable customer 
service to MFS, Questar must install replacement M&R facilities of 
greater capacity at the Gookin Tap delivery point to satisfy the 
increasing MFS customer demand.
    It is stated that the existing M&R facilities, proposed to be 
replaced, comprise a 4-inch meter, two 1-inch regulator banks and 
appurtenant facilities contained in a 4-foot by 6-foot skid-mounted 
meter building. The replacement M&R facilities would include a 6-inch 
turbine meter, two 2-inch regulator banks, a filter and related valves, 
telemetry and station piping housed in a 6-foot by 6-foot skid-mounted 
meter building. In addition, Questar proposes to replace approximately 
35 feet of 1-inch diameter pipeline with 2-inch diameter pipeline 
extending from a block valve on Questar's Jurisdictional Lateral (J.L.) 
No. 4 to the Gookin Tap delivery point site. Questar states that the 35 
feet of replacement pipeline will be installed within Questar's 
existing, previously-disturbed J.L. No. 4 right-of-way. Questar states 
that the estimated cost to install the replacement M&R facilities is 
$35,200 and that the replacement of the Gookin Tap M&R facilities will 
have no effect on the existing environment.
    Questar further states that the current Gookin Tap delivery point 
meter can deliver up to 9,000 standard cubic feet (Scf) per hour, or 
approximately 229 Dekatherms (Dth) per day, while the proposed 
replacement delivery point facilities, described above, will be capable 
of delivering up to 100,000 Scf per hour or approximately 2,549 Dth per 
day. Questar states that it has sufficient pipeline capacity to 
increase firm deliveries at the Gookin Tap delivery point without 
detriment or disadvantage to Questar's other customers.
    Comment date: January 21, 1997, 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 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. 96-31452 Filed 12-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P