Constraint

El Paso returned its Blanco “D” turbine (see Daily GPI, June 1) to service Tuesdaymorning, removing a 270 MMcf/d constraint on San Juan Basincapacity. A problem with turbine vibration at Lincoln Station appearsto be under control, El Paso said, and it restored San Juan Crossovercapacity to 580 MMcf/d.

El Paso’s Bondad System in the San Juan Basin is constrained tothe point that some gas traders mockingly refer to it as “Bondage.”Anything to ease the constriction ought to be welcomed with openarms by those who deal with that point, right? Yet the pipeline’sBondad Expansion project, aimed at adding 116.5 MMcf/d to thesystem’s current capacity of about 567.7 MMcf/d, is in danger offailing because FERC feels the three shippers paying all of theproject’s costs should share their expansion space withnonparticipants.

Due to excess supply levels threatening system integrity and aconstraint on storage injections, Sonat implemented an OperationalFlow Order Type 6 effective Saturday. The OFO carries tieredpenalties ranging up to $15/dth for shippers with positive dailyimbalances exceeding allocated volumes by 3% or 200 dekatherms. Forthe same reasons as above, Sonat began a production areapoint-specific OFO Type 5 for nine points on its 26-inch Main PassArea Line. A penalty of $15/dth is involved for affected shippersor poolers exceeding scheduled quantities by 4%. Finally, an OFOType 1 (force majeure notice) began Saturday in connection withSonat’s retirement of facilities at the Main Pass 127 platform,which involved shutting in the Main Pass 129 and Main Pass 129Redelivery points. The work, which originally had been scheduled tostart on Friday, was expected to last 24-48 hours.