Lodi Gas Storage LLC is holding a nonbinding open season for firm storage capacity beginning in September 2008 in anticipation of expansion of its northern California facilities.

The proposed expansion is anticipated to add an incremental 12 Bcf of capacity, with 100,000 MMBtu/d of firm injection and 200,000 MMBtu/d of firm withdrawal. LGS intends to file an application for the expansion with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in early May. All services will be performed under LGS’ current CPUC Tariff Schedule FSS, a copy of which is available at www.lodistorage.com.

The expansion service will be offered for approximately two cycles per year; however, it can be customized to allow bidders to request higher or lower rates of injection or withdrawal according to their individual requirements. The open season started Friday and runs until March 15. Responses to the offering are due in the Lodi Gas Storage Houston Office no later than 3 p.m. Central time March 15.

Lodi currently provides the California market with 22 Bcf of working capacity, with 450,000 MMBtu/d of firm injection, and 550,000 MMBtu/d of firm withdrawal through interconnections with the PG&E 400 and 401 lines

“Lodi continues to respond to market demand for independent storage service offerings and has been successful in meeting the needs of its customers in collaboration with the CPUC and other utilities in California,” said Lodi CEO Tim Collins.

Regulators in California have expressed a need for more gas storage capacity in the state (see Daily GPI, Jan. 30).

For more information on Lodi’s open season, contact Lisa Reichel or Masoud Kasraian at (713)600-4415 or (713)600-4408.

©Copyright 2007Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news reportmay not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in anyform, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.