[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 65688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32596]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP98-110-000]


Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application for 
Abandonment by Sale

December 9, 1997.
    Take notice that on December 2, 1997, Northern Natural Gas Company 
(Northern), 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1000, filed 
in Docket No. CP98-110-000, an application pursuant to Section 7(b) of 
the Natural Gas Act (NGA), as amended, and Sections 157.7 and 157.18 of 
the Commission's Regulations requesting permission and approval to 
abandon by sale to Samedan Oil Corporation (Samedan), certain non-
contiguous pipeline facilities, with appurtenances, which are known as 
the Grand Isle 83 and the Grand Isle 83 Compressor (GI 83 facilities) 
and located in the Grand Isle Area, Offshore Louisiana. Northern also 
requests approval to abandon certain services, all as more fully set 
forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open 
to public inspection.
    Northern states that its role in the marketplace has changed from a 
merchant of natural gas to a transporter of natural gas and that the GI 
83 facilities are non-contiguous to its traditional transmission 
pipeline system and are no longer needed by Northern. Northern further 
states that the GI 83 facilities, which are owned by Northern and 
operated by Trunkline Gas Company (Trunkline), were declared non-
jurisdictional gathering facilities pursuant to an order issued 
February 13, 1995 in Trunkline's Docket No. CP92-498-005. Northern 
proposes to transfer the GI 83 facilities to Samedan who will assume 
all current and future service obligations, and operational and 
economic responsibilities for these facilities.
    Northern states that it entered into a Transportation and Sales 
Agreement dated October 30, 1980, as amended, (X-99 Agreement), with 
Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company (Panhandle) and Trunkline, which 
provides for the transportation of Northern's Grand Isle Block 83 gas 
and, as partial consideration of such transport service, Panhandle had 
the option to purchase up to 20 percent of such gas. The Commission 
granted a certificate to Northern authorizing the sale of natural gas 
to Panhandle in a July 31, 1981 order in Docket No. CP81-256. Northern 
states that it filed the X-99 Agreement as Rate Schedule X-99 in its 
FERC Gas Tariff, Original Volume No. 2. Northern seeks abandonment, in 
this instant proceeding, for the X-99 Agreement which was authorized in 
Docket No. CP81-256. Northern states that it has entered into an 
Assignment and Bill of Sale Agreement (Agreement) with Samedan dated 
October 23, 1997 covering the sale of the GI 83 facilities, which will 
be transferred to Samedan pursuant to the Agreement.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before December 30, 1997, 
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 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the 
NGA (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 NGA 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 a 
grant of the certificate is required by the public convenience and 
necessity. If a motion for leave to intervene is timely filled, 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 to be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary
[FR Doc. 97-32596 Filed 12-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M