[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 53406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26537]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP98-790-000]


Western Gas Interstate Company; Notice of Application

September 29, 1998.
    Take notice that on September 18, 1998, Western Gas Interstate 
Company (Western Gas) 211 North Colorado, Midland, Texas 79701, filed 
in Docket No. CP98-790-000 an application pursuant to Sections 7(b) and 
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act, for permission and approval to abandon a 
portion of its 4-inch and 6-inch main line, to operate certain pipeline 
facilities previously constructed under Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) 
Section 311 authority, and to abandon service to a customer located on 
the segment of the pipeline to be abandoned, all as more fully set 
forth in the application on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    Western Gas states that this application is prompted by a highway 
construction project that will require Western Gas to abandon 
approximately 7.5 miles of its 4- and 6-inch main line in Texas County, 
Oklahoma. Western Gas indicates that rather than constructing 
replacement facilities, Western Gas is requesting certificate authority 
to operate, as part of its main line, certain existing pipeline 
facilities previously constructed and used strictly for service under 
NGPA Section 311. Western Gas claims that these facilities consist of 
approximately 15.5 miles of 6-inch and 8-inch diameter pipeline and 
were built to provide service on behalf of the City of Guymon, 
Oklahoma. Western Gas asserts that to integrate the existing Section 
311 facilities with its main line, it will need to install three new 
proposed taps.
    Western Gas also requests authorization to abandon service at an 
existing tap located on the 4-inch line proposed to be abandoned. 
Western Gas states that it currently delivers very small volumes of gas 
(a total of approximately 425 Mcf per year) at this point to West Texas 
Gas, Inc., (WTG) an Oklahoma local distribution company regulated by 
the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Western Gas claims that WTG in 
turn delivers and sells the gas to four rural customers. Western Gas 
asserts that to mitigate the impact of this abandonment of service, it 
has offered to furnish and install, at its expense, the facilities 
needed to convert WTG's four customers to propane. Western Gas also 
states that, in the alternative, if requested by WTG, it has offered to 
install a side valve and tap for a new delivery point to WTG at the 
same point where it will be cutting the line to be abandoned. Western 
Gas further states that as part of this application, it requests the 
Commission to authorize this new delivery point, if the new point is 
requested by WTG.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before October 20, 1998, 
file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, 
NE, Washington, DC 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 jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy 
Regulation 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 a grant of the certificate, and 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 Western Gas to appear or be represented at 
the hearing.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-26537 Filed 10-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M