Ranch

Continuing on its buying spree in the energy sector, Iowa-based MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. announced Thursday that it has acquired the 8,500-acre M&M Ranch and associated mineral/water rights in Wyoming from Lake DeSmet Energy Co., II, L.C. The deal closed on Thursday, and the company would not reveal any terms or dollar value of the purchase.

Due to its Washington Ranch storage facility being scheduled for annual Department of Transportation inspections, modifications to storage field piping and upgrades to compressor units this month, El Paso said there will be no injections or withdrawals Sept. 11-18. Also, injections will be limited to about 75 MMcf/d Sept. 19-30, but withdrawals will be possible during that time. These projects will cause El Paso to lose a large degree of operational flexibility, “making it critical that all parties scheduling gas on our pipeline manage their volumes carefully to balance receipts and deliveries daily,” the pipeline said. In order to maintain system integrity, it may place nonperformance caps on receipt/delivery pipeline interconnects, and is prepared to declare a Strained Operating Condition or Critical Operating Condition if necessary.

Saying drafting continues on its south system and that the Washington Ranch Storage facility has been experiencing maximum withdrawals since Monday, El Paso declared a Strained Operating Condition (SOC) Thursday. Although the SOC is directed specifically at the Arizona Public Service utility and Panda Resources’ Gila River Power Plant, the pipeline urged all shippers to bring their supplies and demand into balance to minimize the SOC’s duration. The imbalance threshold for negative daily imbalances was set at 7%.

El Paso said the well maintenance work Wednesday at Washington Ranch storage facility was affecting only half of the wells, and thus it was able to continue withdrawals or injections of approximately 75 MMcf/d. On Thursday it will be necessary to withdraw for at least a portion of the day to remove the dissolved solids from the treated well.

Saying withdrawals from its Washington Ranch storage facility were at maximum levels, El Paso declared an Unauthorized Overpull Penalty situation Tuesday.

Saying withdrawals from its Washington Ranch storage facility were at maximum levels, El Paso declared an Unauthorized Overpull Penalty situation Tuesday.

Saying its Washington Ranch storage facility was experiencing maximum withdrawals, El Paso declared an Unauthorized Overpull Penalty situation Wednesday afternoon. It remained in effect Thursday.

Saying its Washington Ranch storage facility was experiencing maximum withdrawals, El Paso declared an Unauthorized Overpull Penalty situation Wednesday afternoon. It remained in effect Thursday.

El Paso Natural Gas declared an Unauthorized Overpull Penalty situation Monday. The Washington Ranch storage facility is currently on maximum withdrawal. The penalty applies to all customers. “You are urged to immediately review your supply/demand balance, and the performance of your suppliers, to ensure sufficient gas is being delivered to El Paso to cover the gas being taken off the system,” the company said. Customers are encouraged to use available capacity at Waha and receipt points downstream of Keystone Station, where maintenance is being performed through Sept. 17. El Paso is placing limits on scheduled volumes at interconnects that are under performing.