Strained

After implementing a Strained Operating Condition notice Wednesday (see Daily GPI, July 27), El Paso canceled it later that day, saying system conditions had improved due to moderating weather that reduced overall takes. “In addition, customer response has sufficiently balanced receipts to takes,” the pipeline said, adding that linepack had returned to “acceptable levels” and withdrawals from the Washington Ranch storage facility were discontinued.

El Paso implemented a systemwide Strained Operating Condition (SOC) for Wednesday’s gas day, setting the tolerance for negative daily imbalances at 10%. Linepack on Tuesday afternoon, when the SOC was announced, was running 100 MMcf lower than the day before, the pipeline said. Its Washington Ranch storage facility continued to experience maximum withdrawals. “Maximum deliverability from Washington Ranch continues to fall with declining inventory,” El Paso said, adding that since July 10, maximum withdrawal rates had dropped by more than 20%.

Due to continuing declines in linepack from “receipt underperformance” despite its declaration of a Strained Operating Condition Wednesday, El Paso upgraded the OFO to a systemwide Critical Operating Condition (COC) Thursday. “Performance caps are being placed on all receipt locations that are supplying volumes at less than scheduled rates,” the pipeline said. Receipt shortfalls from San Juan Basin are in excess of 350 MMcf/d, while those in the Permian Basin exceed 300 MMcf/d, it added. “Shippers should immediately evaluate performance of their suppliers and insure that they are sourcing their supplies from locations that are capable of performing…Shippers taking gas above their scheduled quantities should immediately acquire additional supply or reduce their rate of take. There is transmission system capacity available at Waha and at interconnects downstream of Keystone if shippers determine that they need additional or different sources of supply to protect their markets.” El Paso continued to encourage payback of due-pipeline imbalances.

El Paso set an imbalance threshold of 5% in declaring a systemwide Strained Operating Condition (SOC) Wednesday. The pipeline said it has been experiencing declining linepack as a result of takes that are in excess of scheduled quantities and underperforming receipt volumes. Linepack continues to decline despite the Washington Ranch storage facility operating at maximum withdrawal capacity, El Paso said. Prior to announcing the SOC, it said the supply shortfall in the San Juan Basin was about 400 MMcf/d.

Saying operating conditions on its South Mainline had improved, El Paso lifted Thursday afternoon the Strained Operating Condition (SOC) that it had implemented Tuesday (see Daily GPI, Aug. 24). “Actions by shippers to balance their supply and demand, along with maximal withdrawal volumes from Washington Ranch Storage Facility, have restored south system linepack to a level at which system integrity is not currently threatened,” El Paso said.

El Paso warned customers Tuesday of the possibility that a Strained Operating Condition may need to be issued for Wednesday’s gas day, saying it is experiencing low linepack on the South Mainline and the Washington Ranch storage facility is experiencing maximum withdrawals. “Shippers can obtain supplies at Waha where capacity is operationally available,” the pipeline said.

CIG had hoped that announcing plans late last week to implement a Strained Operating Condition (SOC) notice Tuesday (see Daily GPI, Nov. 16) would enhance its anticipated limited ability to handle imbalances caused by variations between scheduled receipts/deliveries and actual gas flow, as well as any related excess injections into storage. But, the pipeline said late Monday afternoon, “Since that posting, CIG’s storage injection situation has not improved and inventory levels continue to approach operational limits.” Thus it will change the SOC notice to a full-fledged OFO effective with the start of Wednesday’s gas day until further notice. Under the OFO, “shippers should anticipate that CIG will require all transportation transactions to be in balance between receipts and deliveries, and all shippers should maintain close contact with their suppliers and markets.” Shippers also were asked to ensure that CIG has up-to-date contact names and phone numbers for their accounts. See the bulletin board for further details.

CIG had hoped that announcing plans late last week to implement a Strained Operating Condition (SOC) notice Tuesday (see Daily GPI, Nov. 16) would enhance its anticipated limited ability to handle imbalances caused by variations between scheduled receipts/deliveries and actual gas flow, as well as any related excess injections into storage. But, the pipeline said late Monday afternoon, “Since that posting, CIG’s storage injection situation has not improved and inventory levels continue to approach operational limits.” Thus it will change the SOC notice to a full-fledged OFO effective with the start of Wednesday’s gas day until further notice. Under the OFO, “shippers should anticipate that CIG will require all transportation transactions to be in balance between receipts and deliveries, and all shippers should maintain close contact with their suppliers and markets.” Shippers also were asked to ensure that CIG has up-to-date contact names and phone numbers for their accounts. See the bulletin board for further details.

Due to warmer than expected weather in its market area, CIG plans to declare a Strained Operating Condition on its transmission system effective Tuesday until further notice. “Because of currently high storage inventory levels and reduced market requirements generally experienced with warmer weather conditions, CIG has limited ability to handle oversupply or underdelivery imbalances,” the pipeline said. “In particular, all storage customers should adjust flowing supplies to ensure that storage injections and total inventory levels remain at or below contractual limits.”