[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 205 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 55230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28107]



[[Page 55230]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP98-20-000]


Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America; Notice of Application

October 17, 1997.
    Take notice that on October 10, 1997, Natural Gas Pipeline Company 
of America (Natural), 701 East 22nd Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148-
5072, filed an application pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas 
Act for an order permitting the abandonment of its Buffalo Wallow 
Residue Lateral (Residue Lateral) and the related gathering facilities 
known as Gageby Creek, Washita Creek and Buffalo Wallow laterals 
(Gathering Facilities),\1\ which consist of certificated and non-
certificated facilities located in Hemphill and Wheeler Counties, 
Texas, by sale to American Processing, L.P. (American), all as more 
fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission 
and open to public inspection.
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    \1\ The Residue Lateral is located downstream of a processing 
plant owned by American, while the Gathering Facilities are located 
upstream of the processing plant.
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    Natural is also requesting a determination that such facilities 
will be exempt from the Commission's jurisdiction following their 
transfer to American. Natural notes that American is not an affiliate. 
Natural states that the approximately 49 miles of pipe being sold 
varies in diameter from 3 to 16 inches. According to Natural, 
approximately 39 miles of this pipe has been certificated, while the 
remainder is not certificated. Natural notes that there is one non-
certificated field booster station also being sold. Natural contends 
that American purchased the processing plant form Natural pursuant to a 
Purchase and Sale Agreement dated December 30, 1996 (Agreement). 
According to Natural, the Agreement also provides for the sale and 
transfer of the Residue Lateral and the Gathering Facilities to 
American.
    Natural states that the Buffalo Wallow and Gageby Creek laterals 
operate at approximately 350 psig. Gas from these laterals is 
compressed by Booster Station 91 prior to being processed at 
Purification Plant No. 163 (PP163), which is the processing plant that 
Natural sold to American on December 30, 1996.\2\ Gas from the Washita 
Creek lateral enters PP163 downstream of Booster Station 91 and, 
therefore, must operate at approximately 680 psig. The Residue Lateral 
operates at approximately 650 psig and free-flows into Natural's 
Oklahoma Extension in Wheeler County, Texas, which is a part of 
Natural's Amarillo Mainline System.
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    \2\ Natural contends that such plants are non-jurisdictional, 
and this plant was never certificated.
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    Natural notes that pursuant to prior rate cases filings, the 
Residue Lateral and the Gathering Facilities have been classified for 
rate purposes as transmission facilities, and Natural charges no 
separate gathering rate for services provided by means of the 
facilities. Therefore, Natural claims that there is no requirement to 
make an NGA Section 4 filing for ``termination of services.'' Natural 
notes that the purchase price for all of the facilities is $4,000,000. 
American paid a total of $3,200,000 to Natural on December 30, 1996. 
The remaining $800,000 will be paid to Natural when ownership of the 
Residue Lateral and the Gathering Facilities is transferred to 
American. According to Natural, the net book value of the certificated 
facilities was approximately $362,574 as of September 1, 1997.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make a protest with reference 
to said application should, on or before November 7, 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 385.214 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 the jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission by Sections 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a hearing will be held 
without further notice before the Commission 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 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 Applicant to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-28107 Filed 10-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M