Anticipates

With efforts by pipelines and state regulators, the Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Administration (PHMSA) said it anticipates a significant reduction in pipeline-related deaths or major injuries over the next four years.

Constitution Pipeline Co. LLC’s proposal to build and operate a 121-mile long, 30-inch diameter pipeline between Susquehanna County, PA and Schoharie County, NY, does not include plans to service liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities, the Houston-based company said in a filing with FERC.

North America’s strong natural gas supply outlook is thanks to what has taken place below ground: horizontal drilling with long laterals and hydraulic fracturing well stimulation. However, what is happening above ground will determine to what extent these efforts will benefit the country’s energy security.

Houston-based Goodrich Petroleum Corp. said Monday its preliminary 2011 capital expenditure budget is $225 million, a $30 million reduction from 2010 spending; however, production is expected to grow.

Xcel Energy anticipates having Colorado regulatory decisions later this year on its purchase of two natural gas-fired generation plants and its plans to retrofit or replace up to 900 MW of coal-fired generation in the Denver area. The Minneapolis-based utility holding company also expects to start commercial operations at its Comanche III coal-fired plant in Pueblo, CO, in May.

Due to engine maintenance at several compressor stations along its Southeast Mainline (SEML), ANR anticipates the following SEML capacity reductions (from a 1,399 MMcf/d base): 285 MMcf/d Dec. 2-7, 105 MMcf/d Dec. 8-18 and 70 MMcf/d Dec. 19-31. “Based on current nominations, it is anticipated that the above reductions may result in the curtailment of Firm Secondary and IT services,” ANR said.

Citing “insufficient supplies of gas,” CIG notified customers that it anticipates suspending operations at the Natural Buttes Processing Plant starting June 1. The plant “was designed to provide gas conditioning services for a volume of gas that greatly exceeds the current throughput of the facility,” the pipeline said. It also reported receiving notice that effective June 1 a large percentage of current throughput at Natural Buttes will be diverted to the new Chipeta cryogenic processing plant and redelivered to CIG at the Anabuttes receipt point. CIG said it will attempt to continue operating the Natural Buttes plant but expects to suspend that activity “until such time as additional volumes are available for conditioning.” A restart of the plant is estimated to take approximately 24 to 48 hours depending on ambient temperatures, CIG said. While Natural Buttes operations are interrupted, all gas tendered to CIG at that receipt point will be required to meet the pipeline’s mainline gas quality requirements.

Due in part to the energy infrastructure damage and disruptions along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes, FERC anticipates that applications seeking to build 14 new natural gas storage projects will be filed over the next five years, the agency told Congress and the Bush administration Friday.

Due in part to the energy infrastructure damage and disruptions along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes, FERC anticipates that applications seeking to build 14 new natural gas storage projects will be filed over the next five years, the agency told Congress and the Bush administration Friday.