[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 184 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57179-57180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24273]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP00-454-000]


Koch Gateway Pipeline Company; Notice of Application for 
Abandonment Authorization

September 15, 2000.
    Take notice that on September 6, 2000, Koch Gateway Pipeline 
Company (Koch), 20 East Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas 77046-2002, 
filed an abbreviated application pursuant to Section 7(b) of the 
Natural Gas Act (NGA) requesting the issuance of an Order granting 
permission and approval to abandon the middle river crossing tube 
across the Sabine River, specifically approximately 890 feet of 10-inch 
pipe and 13 feet of 14-inch pipe located in Newton County, Texas or 
Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, all as more fully set forth in the 
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection. The application may be viewed on the web at 
www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm. Call (202) 208-2222 for assistance. 
Any questions regarding the application should be directed to: Kyle 
Stephens, Director of Certificates, Koch Gateway Pipeline Company, P.O. 
Box 1478, Houston, Texas, 77251-1478 at (713) 544-7309.
    According to Koch, in 1931 it installed approximately 62 miles of 
mainline known as Call Junction Line (Index 201). These facilities were 
originally constructed to provide service to the southeast Louisiana 
market area and were certificated pursuant to Koch's grandfather 
certificate issued in FPC Docket No. G-232. The Sabine River crossing 
when originally constructed, consisted of three parallel 10-inch tubes 
and two 14-inch header lines that connect to Index 201 on the west and 
east side of the river. Koch states that the Sabine River crossing was 
only used in emergency situations such as in the case of gas supply 
interruptions. Currently, no gas is flowing on Index 201 from its 
western terminus to the intersection of Index 201-6. Further, Koch 
states that it has no firm commitments on this section of Index 201 
which includes the Sabine River crossing. Koch proposes to abandon 
approximately 890 feet of 10-inch pipe and 13 feet of 14-inch pipe, 
which constitutes the middle tube assembly of the Sabine River crossing 
on Koch's Index 201.\1\ Of the total 890 feet of 10-inch, Koch proposes 
to cut, cap, fill with water and abandon in place approximately 713 
feet of 10-inch and to abandon by removal approximately 177 feet of the 
10-inch. Additionally, Koch proposes to cut, cap, and abandon in place 
approximately 13 feet of 14-inch pipe.
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    \1\ The northernmost tube was removed in October 1998 as 
authorized in Docket No. CP97-257-000.
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    Recently, Koch asserts that the natural erosion of the east bank of 
the Sabine River removed the cover from the middle tube of the 
crossing, and rendered the pipeline unsupported by soil. Specifically, 
a 177-foot segment of the middle tube is unsupported and, at certain 
times of the year, may pose a navigational hazard. As a precautionary 
measure, Koch states that it has removed the middle tube from service 
and idled this portion of the crossing assembly pending replacement or 
abandonment. Koch does not believe that the replacement of the middle 
tube is economically justified. Koch states that the abandonment of the 
proposed facilities will not result in a reduction of service to any of 
its customers, no gas is flowing on Index 201 from its western terminus 
to the intersection of Index 201-6, which includes the river crossing. 
The remaining southernmost tube, located approximately 148 feet 
downstream of the middle tube, is intact and not experiencing any 
erosion at this time and is capable of flowing approximately 14.58 
MMCF/d across the river if necessary.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to protest this application 
should file a motion to intervene or protest with the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in 
accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice 
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the

[[Page 57180]]

Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.10). All 
such motions or protests must be filed on or before October 6, 2000. 
Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the 
appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants 
parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party to a 
proceeding must file a motion to intervene in accordance with the 
Commission's Rules and Regulations. Copies of this application are on 
file with the Commission and are available for public inspection in the 
Public Reference Room.
    Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in 
and subject to the jurisdiction conferred upon the 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 if no intervention or protests is filed within 
the time frame 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 and 
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.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-24273 Filed 9-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M