FERC yesterday dealt another blow to El Paso Natural Gas,finding that the pipeline had violated the Gas Industry StandardsBoard’s (GISB) standards pertaining to confirmation deadlines andconfirmation quantities.
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FERC Knocks Northeast Projects for A Loop
A very divided FERC last week dealt a potentially crippling blowto the controversial Independence Pipeline and associatedSupplyLink and MarketLink expansion projects, requiring them toshow documented proof of binding, long-term contracts for more thantwo-thirds of their project’s firm capacity before they can beginconstruction, as well as to satisfy more than 100 environmentalconditions. The Commission dismissed a major affiliate contract,casting doubt on the market support for the eastward-boundIndependence and SupplyLink projects.
Westcoast Abandons TriState Project for Vector
Westcoast Energy dealt the 650 MMcf/d TriState Pipeline project a potentially fatal blow last week by exiting the project partnership, which now includes only CMS Energy, and signing on with TriState’s main competitor, the 1 Bcf/d Vector Pipeline. Westcoast dropped its 33% stake in TriState and purchased a 30% equity stake in Vector from project operator Enbridge Inc. It also committed to take 240 MMcf/d of firm capacity in the $500 million Vector project.
Dynegy Control of El Paso Capacity Diluted
FERC last week dealt a partial blow to Dynegy Marketing andTrade’s control over a portion of its contracted-for capacity on ElPaso Natural Gas to California, resulting in a measured victory forthe state’s regulators and San Juan producers. Dynegy enjoyed atriumph of sorts as well, however. The Commission upheld the bulkof its prior decision approving the whopping El Paso-Dynegyarrangement, finding that while it posed some competitive concerns,it was not “unduly discriminatory” in nature.
Dynegy Control of El Paso Capacity Diluted
FERC has dealt a partial blow to Dynegy Marketing and Trade’scontrol over a portion of its contracted-for capacity on El PasoNatural Gas to California, resulting in a measured victory for thestate’s regulators and San Juan producers. Dynegy enjoyed a triumphof sorts as well, however. The Commission upheld the bulk of itsprior decision approving the whopping El Paso-Dynegy arrangement,finding that while it posed some competitive concerns, it was not”unduly discriminatory” in nature.
New Hurricane Season Could Blow Away Last
If government predictions are correct, Gulf of Mexico producerscould be shutting in more rigs and shuttling more workers to safetythis hurricane season than last.
FERC Sets Pony Express Cost Overrun for Hearing
FERC dealt KN Interstate Gas Transmission a serious blow lastweek in ordering the pipeline to explain a 41% overrun in the costof its Pony Express Pipeline Project and prove the project stillmeets the Commission’s test for rolled-in rate treatment.