Interconnects

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Tuesday approved a request by ETC Tiger Pipeline LLC, a unit of Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners LP, to place a 400 MMcf/d expansion of its system in service.

Southern California Gas said it regained a total of 340 MMcf/d of receipt capacity Wednesday at its Topock, AZ, border interconnects with El Paso and Transwestern following completion of anomaly repairs on Line 3000 that had required a reduction in line pressure. The work had begun Nov. 10.

FERC has issued a favorable environmental assessment of Blue Sky Gas Storage LLC’s proposal to build a natural gas storage project in Logan County, CO, with proposed interconnects with the Rockies Express, Trailblazer and Kinder Morgan Interstate pipelines and access to Cheyenne Hub by backhaul on Trailblazer. The Blue Sky storage facility, which would be located north of Sterling, CO, would have working capacity of 4.4 Bcf, with the potential for expansion subject to approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and market demand. It would be capable of delivering gas at a rate of 100 MMcf/d and receiving gas for injection at a rate of 100 MMcf/d. The central Rockies currently lacks sufficient storage capacity and the Blue Sky project would be an important addition to the market, said Blue Sky, an affiliate of Linear Energy Management LP, a privately owned midstream pipeline company.

National Fuel Gas Supply Corp. is holding a binding open season for incremental transportation capacity from new and existing system interconnects in the Marcellus Shale fairway in central Pennsylvania. The expansion facilities will serve Northeast markets via the Leidy, PA, market hub.

Blue Sky Gas Storage LLC has filed an application at FERC seeking to build a natural gas storage project in Logan County, CO, with proposed interconnects with the Rockies Express, Trailblazer and Kinder Morgan Interstate pipelines and access to Cheyenne Hub by backhaul on Trailblazer.

Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC (MEP) Phase I began interim service on 266 miles of 42-inch diameter pipeline from interconnects with Houston Pipe Line Co. and Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America (NGPL) near Paris, TX, to an interconnect with the Columbia Gulf Pipeline near Delhi, LA, the pipeline said last Friday.

Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC (MEP) Phase I began interim service on 266 miles of 42-inch diameter pipeline from interconnects with Houston Pipe Line Co. and Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America (NGPL) near Paris, TX, to an interconnect with the Columbia Gulf Pipeline near Delhi, LA, the pipeline said Friday.

El Paso declared a Strained Operating Condition Monday specific to three Arizona utility interconnects (DAPS PHX, DAPS YUM and DSRP PHX) due to high linepack. The imbalance tolerance was set initially at 10%. “The milder weather in the Phoenix area in combination with actual takes below scheduled quantities has resulted in a high linepack condition with the system linepack currently at 7,880 MMcf,” El Paso said, adding that its Washington Ranch storage facility was operating at maximum injections. Interruptible Storage Service was suspended Monday until further notice.

National Fuel Gas Co. subsidiary National Fuel Gas Supply Corp. (NFGSC) said Monday it is conducting an open season for transportation capacity to the Leidy (PA) Hub and/or proposed interconnects with Millennium and Empire Pipelines.