[Federal Register: February 2, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 21)]
[Notices]               
[Page 5043]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02fe99-43]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP99-161-000]

 
Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America; Notice of Application

January 28, 1999.
    Take notice that on January 19, 1999, Natural Gas Pipeline Company 
of America (Natural), 747 East 22nd Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148, 
filed in Docket No. CP99-161-000 an application pursuant to Section 
7(b) of the Natural Gas Act, for permission and approval to abandon by 
sale to MidCon Gas Products Corp. (MGP), a non-jurisdictional gathering 
affiliate, certain certificated facilities located in Carson, Gray, 
Hutchinson, Moore and Roberts Counties, Texas, all as more fully set 
forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open 
to public inspection.
    Natural states that the facilities for which it is seeking 
abandonment authority are located in two separate gathering areas--the 
Panhandle Gathering Area and the Quinduno Gathering Area. Natural 
states that it requests permission to abandon from the Panhandle 
Gathering Area, nine compressor units located at Compressor Station 112 
in Moore County, Texas, totaling 11,250 horsepower; and Booster 
Stations 52 and 53, both located in Carson County, Texas, each housing 
one 660 horsepower compressor unit, for a total of 1,320 horsepower. 
Also, Natural states that it requests permission to abandon from the 
Quinduno Gathering Area, 37 miles of pipe ranging from 6-inches to 16-
inches in diameter, six compressor units at Booster Station 149 and 
twelve wellhead meters.
    Natural states that all of the facilities, included certificated 
and non-certificated facilities, in the Panhandle Gathering Area and 
the Quinduno Gathering Area comprise Natural's West Panhandle Gathering 
System (WPGS). Natural states that the WPGS consists of 527 miles of 
pipe (main trunklines and laterals) ranging in diameter from 2 inches 
to 24 inches, compression, field booster stations, meters, taps and 
appurtenant facilities. It is stated that due to the fact that Natural 
no longer provides a bundled sales service, there is no need for 
Natural to purchase gas along the WPGS for its system supply. 
Therefore, Natural is seeking in the subject filing, to abandon by sale 
to MGP, the certificated laterals, compression, field booster stations 
and associated meters and equipment that are located in the WPGS.
    Natural states that it intends to transfer the entire WPGS to MGP. 
In addition, Natural states that it will sell the WPGS to MGP at its 
net book value. Natural states that as of September 30, 1998, the net 
book value of the certificated facilities was $0 and the net book value 
of the non-certificated facilities was $7.6 million.
    Natural states that there is one firm transportation agreement 
under Rate Schedule FTS with a primary receipt point in the WPGS that 
will need to be terminated in connected with the proposed sale to MGP. 
Natural states that the shipper is KN Marketing, Inc. (KNM), an 
affiliate of Natural. Natural further states that it has been 
transporting up to 70,000 MMBtu per day for KNM under the agreement and 
will continue to provide such service until the facilities are 
transferred to MGP, at which time, MGP has agreed to provide the 
service for KNM.
    Natural requests that the order state that the facilities in the 
WPGS that are being abandoned will be exempt from the Commission's 
jurisdiction after such facilities are transferred to MGP and operated 
by MGP as a non-jurisdictional gathering system.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before February 18, 1999, 
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 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 filed within 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 Natural to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-2392 Filed 2-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M