Express

Enterprise Products Partners LP overcame the effect of lower natural gas processing margins in its pipelines and services segment to deliver record gross operating margin during the first quarter, as well as a 16% increase in profits. Oil-related infrastructure put in a strong showing, particularly in the Eagle Ford Shale

FERC has approved the request of Southern LNG Co. LLC and Elba Express Co. LLC (EEC) to use the agency’s pre-filing process for their planned Elba export liquefaction and related expansion projects.

FERC has approved the request of Southern LNG Co. LLC and Elba Express Co. LLC (EEC) to use the agency’s pre-filing process for their planned Elba export liquefaction and related expansion projects.

Moody’s Investor Service on Wednesday said it was changing its outlook for Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (REX) from “stable” to “negative,” citing concerns over a possible decline in the natural gas pipeline company’s earnings in late 2014 and its long-term competitiveness.

Seeking to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint, the freight unit of Federal Express Corp. (FedEx) is beta testing an advanced liquefied natural gas (LNG)-only Class 8 truck engine in two new tractors used in the company’s Dallas, TX, service center.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the requests of Wyoming Interstate Co. (WIC) Questar Overthrust Pipeline and Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) for temporary waivers of capacity-release regulations, clearing the way for the permanent release of off-system capacity held on WIC’s pipeline to certain shippers. The capacity-release transactions are a one-time basis only and have to be done within 90 days. WIC currently holds 200,000 Dth/d of off-system capacity on REX and has three transportation agreements for capacity on Questar Overthrust to provide shippers on its system seamless transportation service. A breakdown of the agreements held by WIC on Overthrust includes 365,000 Dth/d through 2017; 190,00 Dth/d from November 2018 to September 2020; and two contracts for 120,000 Dth/d and 40,000 Dth/d, both of which run through 2020, according to Overthrust’s waiver request. WIC is proposing to release permanently all or a portion of the reserve capacity that it holds on Overthrust. With respect to the capacity on Overthrust, WIC told FERC it has encountered unexpected nominations and scheduling issues that have affected the quality and reliability of service received by WIC shippers. After “actively collaborating” to resolve the issues, “WIC states both pipelines [it and Overthrust] have agreed that the ideal solution is to permanently release WIC’s Overthrust capacity to the respective shippers on whose behalf WIC acquired the off-system capacity.” Three shippers have expressed an interest in a permanent release of the Overthrust capacity: Occidental Energy Marketing Inc., Marathon Oil Co. and WPX Energy Inc, according to WIC [RP12-1018].”Two of these shippers, Occidental and Marathon, also rely on REX off-system capacity, which WIC acquired on their behalf.

Oneok Partners LP is holding an open season through Nov. 20 for its Bakken Crude Express Pipeline, a proposed 1,300-mile pipeline with capacity to transport 200,000 b/d of light-sweet crude oil from multiple points in the Williston Basin’s Bakken Shale in North Dakota and Montana to the crude oil market hub in Cushing, OK (see Shale Daily, April 10). Construction is expected to begin in early 2014 and be completed by mid-2015. For information, visit the project website or contact Lisa Nishimuta at (918) 588-7730, lisa.nishimuta@oneok.com; or Tim King at (918) 732-1339, tim.king@oneok.com.

FERC should require Rockies Express Pipeline Co. LLC (REX) to adopt a no-profit reservation charge crediting methodology for curtailments during force majeure events, a group of shippers said in a filing Monday.

Despite taking a significant hit in its 2Q2012 profits related to its 25% interest in the Rockies Express Pipeline (REX), which is now on the sales block, San Diego-based Sempra Energy executives view the natural gas pipeline as a “significant” asset long term because of its potential role in moving gas bidirectionally from the developing parts of the Utica and Marcellus shales.