Expedited

Senate Republicans Friday blocked an attempt by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to win expedited approval of a bill that sought to wring out “excessive” speculation and possible manipulation in the energy futures markets that Democrats contend are responsible for record high crude oil prices, which eclipsed $143 a barrel early Monday.

A group of Columbia Transmission shippers has called on FERC to grant emergency relief on an expedited basis to prevent the pipeline from unilaterally modifying the primary delivery points under their contracts while a complaint proceeding is pending.

A group of Columbia Transmission shippers have called on FERC to grant emergency relief on an expedited basis to prevent the pipeline from unilaterally modifying the primary delivery points under their contracts while a complaint proceeding is pending.

South-central Alaska gas distribution utility ENSTAR Natural Gas Co. is seeking expedited state regulatory approval of two contracts that would allow it to avoid a gas supply shortfall as early as Jan. 1.

Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP) is seeking expedited rehearing of a July show cause order in which FERC accused it of manipulating the natural gas physical markets at the Houston Ship Channel and Waha trading hub. The Dallas-based energy company faces up to $167 million in total penalties and disgorgement of unjust profits if it is unable to successfully dispute the charges (see NGI, July 30).

Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP) is seeking expedited rehearing of a July show cause order in which FERC accused it of manipulating the natural gas physical markets at the Houston Ship Channel and Waha trading hub. The Dallas-based energy company faces up to $167 million in total penalties and disgorgement of unjust profits if it is unable to successfully dispute the charges (see Daily GPI, July 27).

The self-styled “Panhandle complainants” have called on FERC to grant their motion for interim rate relief and to take expedited action in an ongoing complaint case against Southwest Gas Storage. Missouri regulators also urged the agency to take swift action in the case.

Efforts by Sonora Pipeline LLC, a subsidiary of Tidelands Oil & Gas, to win expedited approval of its proposed Burgos Hub Export/Import facility in northeastern Mexico may be in trouble at FERC.

Expedited permitting to carry out repairs on natural gas pipelines is the biggest challenge facing pipe operators as they try to comply with the Office of Pipeline Safety’s (OPS) integrity management rule, an industry official representing gas distributors and municipal utilities told Senate lawmakers Tuesday.