Applications, hearings, determinations, etc.: El Paso Natural Gas Co.,

[Federal Register: April 14, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 71)]

[Notices]

[Page 18188-18189]

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

[DOCID:fr14ap98-50]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP98-317-000]

El Paso Natural Gas Company and ANR Pipeline Company; Notice of Application

April 8, 1998.

Take notice that on March 31, 1998, El Paso Natural Gas Company (El Paso), Post Office Box 1492, El Paso, Texas 79978, and ANR Pipeline Company (ANR), 500 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48243, collectively referred to as Applicants, fileda joint application in Docket No. CP98-317-000 pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act, for permission and approval to abandon four certificated exchange services, all as more fully set forth in the application on file with the Commission and open to public inspection.

Specifically, the Applicants propose to abandon:

1. Gas Exchange Agreement dated January 27, 1978, as amended. By order issued August 14, 1978, the Commission authorized the requests of El Paso in Docket No. CP78-223, and the request of ANR in Docket No. CP78-190, to exchange natural gas. The Applicants state the gas was exchanged under El Paso's special Rate Schedule X-41 and ANR's special Rate Schedule X-67. It is stated, that the agreement provided for the gathering, delivery and exchange of natural gas produced from properties located in Hemphill and Wheeler Counties, Texas and Roger Mills, Beckham and Dewey Counties, Oklahoma.

2. Two Gas Exchange Agreements dated December 20, 1978. By order issued July 18, 1979, the Commission authorized the request of El Paso in Docket Nos. CP79-165 and CP79-166, et al. Applicants state the agreements involve the exchange of certain offshore gas reserves obtained by El Paso and certain gas supplies obtained by ANR in the Creston Nose and Lincoln Road areas of Wyoming. It is stated the gas was exchanged under El Paso's special Rate Schedules X-53 (Creston Nose Exchange Agreement) and X-54 (Lincoln Road Exchange Agreement). It is averred that while El Paso obtained the authorization under the July 18, 1979 order for the exchange service with ANR, that ANR received authorization for the transportation of certain gas for El Paso to make the gas available for the exchange service. Applicants state the transportation arrangement was performed under ANR's special Rate Schedule X-79.

   [[Page 18189]]

3. Gas Exchange Agreement dated October 11, 1984. By order issued August 30, 1985, the Commission authorized the request of El Paso in Docket No. CP85-658-000, and the request of ANR in Docket No. CP85-538- 000, to construct and operate certain facilities and the transportation and delivery of natural gas on an exchange basis between the Applicants. The exchange was performed under El Paso's special Rate Schedule X-64 and ANR's special Rate Schedule X-158. It is stated that, under that exchange agreement, El Paso agreed to accept from NWPL, for the account of ANR, quantities of natural gas from the Overthrust Belt area of Wyoming. It is averred that those supplies were then delivered to El Paso through NWPL at the Ignacio Receipt Point located in La Plata County, Colorado. Applicants state that in exchange, El Paso agreed to concurrently deliver equivalent volumes of natural gas, on a dekatherm basis, to ANR at the interconnection of the two pipeline systems in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma.

   When certificated, the exchange services represented an economical way for the Applicants to receive dedicated gas supplies for their general system supply requirements. However, by letter dated November 26, 1997, the Applicants agreed the four exchange agreements described above are no longer needed and can be terminated. It is further stated that no imbalances exist.

   Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with reference to said application should on or before April 29, 1998, 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 and 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 El Paso and ANR to appear or be represented at the hearing. David P. Boergers, Acting Secretary.

   [FR Doc. 98-9735Filed4-13-98; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 6717-01-M