Interstate

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP has closed on a previously announced deal to buy Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission, Trailblazer Pipeline Co., Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP’s (KMP) Casper-Douglas natural gas processing and West Frenchie Draw treating facilities in Wyoming, and KMP’s 50% interest in the Rockies Express Pipeline (REX), Tallgrass said Tuesday.

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.

David Porter, commissioner on the Railroad Commission of Texas, has been appointed by the state’s governor to serve as the official representative of Texas to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), a multi-state agency that works to ensure that the nation’s oil and natural gas resources are conserved and maximized while protecting health, safety and the environment. Porter will serve as host for IOGCC’s 2012 Annual Meeting Oct. 29 through 31 in San Antonio. His ongoing responsibilities at IOGCC include serving as spokesman for the group in Texas, meeting with the governor to discuss current issues, authoring/sponsoring IOGCC resolutions, voting during business session, participating in committees and regularly attending meetings.

Outgoing Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Chairman Greg Ebel and the pipeline group’s members “worked tirelessly” to ensure that legislation signed into law by President Obama earlier this year would “truly take pipeline safety and integrity management to a higher level,” according to incoming Chairman Greg Harper.

The board of directors of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) elected as chairman C. Gregory Harper, who is senior vice president and group president of CenterPoint Energy’s Pipelines and Field Services businesses. Harper follows Spectra Energy CEO Gregory L. Ebel as INGAA chairman. The board also elected Gary L. Sypolt, CEO of Dominion Resources’ Dominion Energy operating segment, as first vice chairman, and David Devine, president of Kinder Morgan’s Natural Gas Pipe Line Co., as second vice chair. INGAA officers are elected for one-year terms.

Outgoing Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Chairman Greg Ebel and the pipeline group’s members “worked tirelessly” to ensure that legislation signed into law by President Obama earlier this year would “truly take pipeline safety and integrity management to a higher level,” according to incoming Chairman Greg Harper.

Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC’s (KMIGT) proposal to sell a 432-mile segment of its Pony Express natural gas pipeline to an affiliate (Kinder Morgan Pony Express Pipeline LLC) for the purpose of converting it to transport crude oil from the Bakken and Denver-Julesburg/Niobrara shales has drawn protests from ethanol customers.

Colorado Interstate Gas Co. (CIG) has filed an application at FERC seeking authorization to build an expansion of its existing High Plains System to provide additional takeaway capacity from the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin to the Cheyenne Hub in Weld County, CO.

Williams Partners LP’s Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) is holding an open season through Aug. 23 for capacity on an expanded interstate natural gas pipeline system in Alabama, a link that is expected to come online during the fall of 2014.