ScottishPower subsidiary ENSTOR has laid out big plans in the gas storage business, announcing open seasons last week for a proposed field near the Waha Hub in West Texas and for existing capacity at the Katy Hub in East Texas and the Alberta Hub in western Canada.

In total, the company has plans for six new or recommissioned gas storage fields with about 35 Bcf of working gas capacity. Four new storage fields are planned in Texas, including one near the Waha Hub. One is planned in Utah and another is planned in Washington. All the fields have proposed in-service dates in 2005 or 2006.

The Waha Storage Hub, formerly called Chapperal, will provide about 6 Bcf of working gas capacity and up to 300 MMcf/d of deliverability. The bedded salt project is expected to go into service in phases with the first phase, with 1.5 Bcf of working capacity, 175 MMcf/d of injection capacity and 225 MMcf/d of deliverability, in service by April 2005 given adequate market support.

ENSTOR said it expects the field to be connected to three interstate pipelines and four intrastate lines giving customers access to the Texas intrastate market and markets in California and east of California. The facility is expected to provide firm storage services for between four and 12 annual cycles. The company views the field as a potential header system in which shippers capture the value between various pipeline systems in the Waha area.

ENSTOR also is offering potential customers capacity that will be come available at the Katy Hub in East Texas starting in April 2004. Katy has 21 Bcf of working storage capacity with 700 MMcf/d of deliverability and 600 MMcf/d of injection capacity. ENSTOR is offering three to five-cycle annual firm storage capacity.

Capacity also is being offered at the 50 Bcf Alberta Hub near Calgary. The Alberta Hub provides 500 MMcf/d of deliverability. Bids for each of the projects are due Oct. 31. For more information contact Patrick DeVille at (281) 374-3053.

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