Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Co. (Transco) is gauging interest in increasing firm storage service for up to 8.7 Bcf/d of withdrawal, 7.3 Bcf/d of injection and 73.1 Bcf of capacity at the Eminence Storage Field in Covington County, MS. The salt cavern storage facility in Transco’s Zone 4 has current capacity of almost 12 Bcf. The open season runs to July 16, with capacity available Aug. 1. For information, contact Mike Ledford at (713) 215-4929 or Rose Prevott at (713) 215-4396.

The western oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) industry supports more than 268,000 jobs across the U.S. and provides $84.3 billion in economic activity, according tothe Denver-based Western Energy Alliance (WEA). This compared to impact from the 13 western states’ E&P activity in 2012 of $51 billion. Overall economic impact grew by 65% in two years, according to WEA. The oil/gas efforts add up to $20.7 billion in wages and another $17 billion in tax revenues annually, WEA said. The industry producer-backed group retained an outside economics firm, John Dunham & Associates, to develop and maintain the economic model used to determine the theoretical national impacts from western E&P activity, breaking the numbers down to the state, congressional district and county levels.

Unknowns remained Tuesday even as repairs were done and local natural gas utility service restored in the far northwest corner of Minnesota on Oneok Partners LP’s 24-inch diameter Viking Gas Transmission Pipeline following a rupture and explosion a week earlier (see Daily GPI, May 29). The cause of the incident is still under investigation and the total costs of the repairs are unknown, an Oklahoma-based Oneok spokesperson told NGI. The early morning incident during the Memorial Day weekend knocked out gas distribution service to three small communities in the immediate area in Marshall County, MN. No injuries resulted from the incident that shot flames more than 100 feet into the air.

Questar Corp.subsidiary, Questar Gas Co., has reached an agreement with Eagle Mountain, UT, to purchase the municipality’s natural gas system, which consists of six miles of steel high-pressure pipeline and 120 miles of intermediate high-pressure main lines and service lines. “We’re pleased to have this agreement with Eagle Mountain,” said Craig Wagstaff, Questar Gas COO. “Located southwest of Salt Lake City, this municipal natural gas system serves more than 6,000 homes in one of Utah’s fastest-growing areas. The purchase will provide Questar Gas with operational advantages and a good return on our investment.” Questar Gas said it expects to complete the purchase by the end of the year.