[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 36798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17841]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP97-598-000]


Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application

July 2, 1997.
    Take notice that on June 20, 1997, as supplemented on June 30, 
1997, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern), P.O. Box 3330, Omaha, 
Nebraska 68103-0330, filed in Docket No. CP97-598-000 an application 
pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Regulations for permission and 
approval to abandon in place the Gaines Co. #3 compressor station 
(Gaines Co. #3) located in Gaines County, Texas, consisting of one 
single-staged 172 horsepower unit, all as more fully set forth in the 
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    Northern states that the Gaines Co. #3 was authorized pursuant to 
budget authorization in Docket No. CP81-33-001. The Gaines Co. #3 was 
originally constructed to effectuate delivery of volumes to support 
Northern's merchant function from gas fields connected upstream of the 
compressor. According to Northern, on or about March 27, 1997, the 
Gaines Co. #3 began experiencing mechanical problems which rendered the 
unit inoperable. Northern states that it does not have any firm 
contracts with the Gaines Co. #3 as a primary receipt point. Northern 
contends that the revenues generated by interruptible transportation 
service does not economically justify the cost to repair the unit. 
Northern asserts that Highlands Gathering and Processing Company 
(Highlands), the owner of the upstream gathering system connected to 
the Gaines Co. #3 agrees that the proposed abandonment result in the 
best economic solution, and has installed compression to enable the 
natural gas volumes connected to its gathering system to enter 
Northern's transmission system. Northern notes that the operating 
conditions have changed since it initially installed its Gaines Co. #3 
resulting in the need for two stages of compression versus Northern's 
single staged unit to most efficiently produce the gas volumes.
    Northern proposes to abandon the station in-place. However, 
Northern states that it intends to utilize parts from this unit in the 
future at other locations on its system as the need may arise. 
Additionally, Northern notes in a footnote that the unit or parts of 
the unit proposed to be abandoned may be salvaged rather than utilized 
elsewhere on Northern's pipeline system. Northern contends that at the 
time the unit is utilized it will seek any required Commission 
authority in order to install and operate the compressor facilities at 
a new location, as applicable. Northern states that all gas and service 
piping to the unit will be disconnected and sealed off either by the 
installation of blind flanges or weld caps. Northern states that it 
will continue to utilize the dehydration equipment, tanks, and other 
appurtenant valves and piping located in the plant yard for the 
continued operation of its pipeline facilities located downstream of 
the compressor station proposed for abandonment.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before July 23, 1997, file 
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (888 First Street, NE., 
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 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 
the 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 on review of the matter finds 
that permission and approval for the proposed abandonment are required 
by the public convenience a 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.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-17841 Filed 7-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M