Rainfall

Heavy rainfall in the West is producing potential record hydroelectric supplies that are impacting natural gas-fired power plant operations in California, according to senior officials at Houston-based Calpine Corp.

Although some local forecasters are still on the fence, the National Weather Service (NWS) is calling for above-normal rainfall in the spring and summer in the Pacific Northwest, and that should boost hydroelectric production. More hydro brings with it the promise of continued shrinking prices and use of coal and natural gas in the region, according to industry sources in the Northwest.

Rainfall running almost 165% above normal so far in 2006 has triggered land movement between Washougal and Willard in the Blue Lake area of Washington state at approximately Mile Post 1192, Northwest said Friday. “Strain gauges installed in this segment have registered steady increases in stress on the pipeline in this area,” the pipeline added. “Although the stress levels require remediation soon, they are not such that immediate action is needed.” In order to ensure safety and reliability in this segment, Northwest plans to blow down and excavate the affected area to reduce line stress. It anticipates there will be no physical flow through the area for Wednesday’s gas day. “Based upon current weather forecasts and operating conditions, Northwest does not anticipate primary impacts to customers. Northwest will work with its interconnects and use its Jackson Prairie inventory in an attempt to eliminate customer impacts. However, if net nominations north through the Washougal Compressor [Station] increase significantly over the currently scheduled volume of 386,000 Dth/d, Northwest may be forced to declare a Deficiency Period. Customers can help mitigate market impacts by buying gas at Sumas,” the pipeline said. For the Feb. 22-24 gas days Northwest will only schedule primary nominations north through either the Roosevelt or Washougal Compressor Stations. If the stress on the line accelerates, remediation work may begin earlier than currently planned, it said. A Stage II entitlement remained in place until further notice.

Record rainfall in parts of central and southern Saskatchewanhas put a damper on construction of the $3 billion, 1.325 Bcf/dAlliance Pipeline, but for the time being sponsors are standing bytheir projected in-service date, sort of.

Record rainfall in parts of central and southern Saskatchewanhas put a damper on construction of the 1.325 Bcf/d AlliancePipeline, but for the time being sponsors are standing by theirprojected in-service date, sort of.