[Federal Register: August 20, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 161)]
[Notices]               
[Page 44611-44612]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20au98-39]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. SA98-101-000]

 
Continental Energy; Notice of Petition for Adjustment

August 14, 1998.
    Take notice that on August 6, 1998, Russell Freeman (Freeman), d/b/
a Continental Energy (Continental), filed a petition pursuant to 
section 502(c) of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, for relief from 
making Kansas ad valorem tax refunds to Northern Natural Gas Company 
(Northern), Williams Gas Pipelines Central, Inc., formerly: Williams 
Natural Gas Company (Williams), and Colorado Interstate Gas Company 
(CIG). Freeman adds that Amoco Production Company (Amoco) shows Freeman 
and his working interest partners as owing an additional but 
unspecified refund amount. Absent such relief, the refunds are required 
by the Commission's September 10, 1997 order, in Docket No. RP97-369-
000 et al,\1\ on remand from the D.C. Circuit

[[Page 44612]]

Court of Appeals.\2\ The September 10 order directed First Sellers to 
make Kansas ad valorem tax refunds, with interest, for the period from 
1983 to 1988. Continental's petition is on file with the Commission and 
open to public inspection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See 80 FERC para. 61,264 (1997); Order Denying Rehearing 
issued January 28, 1998, 82 FERC para. 61,058 (1998).
    \2\ Public Service Company of Colorado v. FERC, 91 F.3d 1478 
(D.C. 1996), cert. denied, Nos. 96-954 and 96-1230 (65 U.S.L.W. 3751 
and 3754, May 12, 1997).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Freeman states that he is 64 years old, that his company 
[Continental] was a small sole proprietorship, and that he understands 
that he is not responsible for the refunds owed by other working 
interest owners. Freeman states, however, that the principal he owes on 
his own working interest share of the refunds claimed by Northern, 
Williams and CIG is significant, amounting to nearly $100,000 
($98,299.36 to Northern, $147.21 to Williams, and $522.93 to CIG).
    Freeman also states that he only has a few wells left, and that 
they are either losing money or barely breaking even. According to 
Freeman, for the years 1995, 1996, and 1997, these wells generated a 
total profit of just $9,269.36. Freeman adds that he hopes to draw 
approximately $1,100 per month in Social Security in just over a year, 
and he contends that paying the subject refunds would wipe-out his 
retirement. Accordingly, Freeman requests to be relieved from making 
the subject refunds on the grounds that to do so would cause him to 
endure a special hardship.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said petition should on or before 15 days after the date 
of publication in the Federal Register of this notice, 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, 385.211, 385.1105, and 385.1106). 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.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-22382 Filed 8-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M