Request

In response to a request from interstate natural gas pipeline operators, the Pipeline Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration (PHMSA) has agreed to extend for another month the comment periods for two pending rulemakings for changing federal pipeline rules in response to a new safety law passed by Congress (see Daily GPI, Dec. 15, 2011).

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Monday approved DCP Midstream LP’s request to build an 11-mile pipeline to transport gas from the Niobrara Shale in the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin to interstate natural gas markets served by the Colorado Interstate Gas (CIG) pipeline. The proposed $12 million pipeline facilities (LaSalle Residue Line) would connect to the proposed LaSalle processing plant in Weld County, CO. The only shipper on the proposed line would be DCP. DCP Midstream is a joint venture of Spectra Energy and ConocoPhillips. Based on new production in the Niobrara Shale in the DJ Basin, DCP told FERC it plans to construct the 110 MMcf/d LaSalle gas processing plant and a new gathering pipeline in Weld County (see Shale Daily, May 16, 2011).

Arizona regulators opened a prehearing conference on a 4% general rate increase request by UNS Gas Inc., the UniSource Energy Corp. natural gas distribution utility in parts of Arizona. The Arizona Corporation Commission has scheduled evidentiary hearings to run through Feb. 17. UNS is asking for an annual revenue increase of $5.6 million, increasing its rate base to $254 million, effective May 1. Tucson, AZ-based UniSource Energy is the holding company for UniSource Energy Services, which provides gas and electric services to about 237,000 customers, along with Tucson Electric Power, which provides electricity to more than 400,000 customers in southern Arizona.

The LaSalle Pipeline — DCP Midstream LP’s project to transport natural gas from the Niobrara Shale in the Denver-Julesburg Basin to markets in Colorado and neighboring areas — has been issued a favorable environmental assessment by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. DCP proposes to construct and operate 11.3 miles of 12-inch diameter gas pipeline from its newly constructed LaSalle Gas Plant in Weld County to a proposed interconnect with the Colorado Interstate pipeline. The line would carry up to 230 MMcf/d. The company expects to begin construction on the project by November for completion by March 2013.

Portland General Electric (PGE) issued a draft request for proposals (RFP) Thursday seeking bids in the second quarter for up to 950 MW of additional generating capacity that would be mostly natural gas-fueled. The new power sources are expected to come online during a five-year period (2013-2017).

Tennessee lifted Wednesday an Imbalance Warning in Zones 0, L, 1, 2, 3 and 4 but continued to request that all parties match physical flow with scheduled quantities.

Tennessee lifted Wednesday a longstanding Imbalance Warning in upstream Zones 0-4 but said it continues to request that all parties match physical flow with scheduled quantities.

FERC Friday approved Empire Pipeline Inc.’s request to begin service on its Tioga County Extension to transport Marcellus Shale production in Pennsylvania to the U.S.-Canadian border.

Gulfmark Energy Group Inc. of San Antonio, TX, said it has obtained financing from Notre-Dame Capital Inc. of Montreal to support development of its Eagle Ford Shale assets. The company said it intends to drill through the Escondido, Olmos, San Miguel, Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford formations. “We have yet to assess all of the undeveloped potential opportunities to expand our operations utilizing horizontal wells with multi-stage fracturing technologies,” said CEO Michael Ward. “Multiple targets have been identified; however, several other opportunities are currently under evaluation and analysis. This financing will allow us to explore all resources available in our current asset base.” Gulfmark operations are currently focused on western South Texas. Terms of the financing were not disclosed.