FERC has approved AGL Resources subsidiary Golden Triangle Storage LLC’s (GTS) request to commence interim service Sept. 1 at its Golden Triangle Storage Project on the Spindletop salt dome in Jefferson and Orange counties, TX.

A dual 24-inch diameter pipeline header and dual 20-inch diameter pipelines between the central compressor station and Storage Cavern No. 1 were completed last month, and the construction of a central compressor station was “substantially complete,” according to GTS’s July 26 request. In addition, construction of Storage Cavern No. 1 was complete and dewatering was expected to commence as early as mid-August, barring construction or weather interruptions, GTS said in its filing. The dewatering process is expected to be completed by December, when GTS anticipates full commercial operation.

“As each day of the dewatering process progresses — i.e., as natural gas is injected and brine solution is removed — Storage Cavern No. 1’s ability to render storage service increases,” GTS said in its request. “As a result of commencing interim commercial service as early as Sept. 1, the cavern will be capable of rendering firm and interruptible storage services at quantities below the full certificated amounts (for the first stage of Storage Cavern No. 1 development) until the cavern is fully dewatered in December.”

Storage Cavern No. 1 is the first of two previously authorized salt dome storage caverns at the Golden Triangle Storage facility (see Daily GPI, Jan. 3, 2008). Each of the caverns will offer 6 Bcf of working capacity, expandable to 8 Bcf later.

Golden Triangle will increase storage capacity in Jefferson County and is expected to enhance the area’s position as a national energy hub and increase the functionality of both its existing and planned energy infrastructure, the company said.

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