Applications, hearings, determinations, etc.: Northern Natural Gas Co.,

[Federal Register: August 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 159)]

[Notices]

[Page 44914]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr18au99-49]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP99-597-000]

Northeren Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application

August 12, 1999.

Take notice that on August 4, 1999, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern), 111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, filedin Docket No. CP99-597-000 an application pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), for permission and approval to abandon, by transfer to Sonat Exploration GOM, Inc. (Sonat), certain non-contiguous pipeline facilities, with appurtenances, located in the Grand Isle Area, Offshore Louisiana. The subject facility is known as the Grand Isle Block 80 Lateral (GI 80 Lateral). Northern also requests approval, concurrent with the conveyance of the facilities, to abandon, certain services rendered through the subject facilities, all as more fully set forth in the application on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. This filing may be viewed on the web at http:// www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-208-2222 for assistance).

Communications concerning this filing should be addressed to: Michele Winckowsk, Senior Regulatory Analyst @ 402-398-7082 or Keith L. Petersen, Director of Certificates and Reporting, Northern Natural Gas Company, Post Office Box 3330, Omaha, Nebraska 68103-0330, Telephone: 402-398-7421, Fax: 402-398-7592.

The GI 80 Lateral consists of approximately 5.4 miles of 8-inch pipeline, with appurtenances, and extends from Grand Isle Block 80 to an underwater tap valve on Trunkline Gas Company's facilities located in Grand Isle Block 82. The subject facilities are located on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and are subject to Sections 5(e) and 5(f) of the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA).

It is stated that the GI 80 Lateral was initially installed to connect new gas supplies required for Northern's merchant sales obligation, but that the subject facilities are no longer needed by Northern as its role in the marketplace has changed from a merchant to a transponder of natural gas. Northern further states that the subject facilities are non-contiguous to it's traditional transmission pipeline system, and that the Grand Isle 80 facilities were declared non- jurisdictional gathering pursuant to the Commission's Order issued February 13, 1995 in Docket No. CP92-498-005.

Northern avers that on or about November 4, 1998, a gas leak was discovered in the vicinity of the GI 80 Lateral. It was subsequently determined that damage to the GI 80 Lateral had caused the gas leak. After considering the repair cost for the GI 80 Lateral, Northern negotiated to convey the subject facilities to Sonat. It is stated that Sonat intends to repair the lateral when it completes the drilling of its new production wells which will ultimately be connected to the GI 80 Lateral.

Northern indicates that it currently provides interruptible transportation service on the subject facilities, on a month-to-month basis.

Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with reference to said application should on or before September 2, 1999, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 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 filedwith 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 any 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 filedwithin 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 Northern to appear or be represented at the hearing. Linwood A. Watson, Jr., Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-21406Filed8-17-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-M