CIG declared a Strained Operating Condition Monday, citing the “extremely cold weather” being experienced in its market area. The pipeline said it has “very limited ability to handle imbalances caused by variations between scheduled receipts and deliveries and actual gas flow.” See the bulletin board for details on SOC compliance. CIG added that it does not anticipate the need for an OFO “as long as receipt shortage or delivery overage imbalances do not occur.”

Public Service. Co. of Colorado issued an OFO Monday for its system and that of Cheyenne (WY) Light Fuel & Power, which it serves. The order carried $25/Dth penalties for exceeding a daily negative imbalance tolerance of 5%, a spokesman said. The OFO is effective for one day at a time and is re-evaluated each day for potential extension, he said.

Saying it is experiencing a low linepack level, Transwestern asked operators “to closely adhere to scheduled volumes” Monday, adding that to insure operational integrity it will take further measures as necessary, including rescheduling quantities if adequate supplies are not being received.

Algonquin continued a systemwide ban on accommodating due-shipper imbalances Monday and issued a Critical Notice “to mitigate conditions which would threaten the ability of Algonquin to maintain service to firm customers.” Penalties of $15/Dth will apply to shippers exceeding a 2% tolerance on negative imbalances.

Kern River reported Monday it had learned from Williams Field Services that LaBarge Station behind the Opal Plant is experiencing compressor problems, and being informed Friday by Duke Energy Field Services that Jonah Field behind Opal also had compressor problems. Kern River urged shippers in both cases to consult their suppliers to see if a supply realignment is necessary.

Sonat advised customers with supply sourced west of its Onward (MS) Compressor Station on the North Main System that “interruptible (A-1 and IT) capacity might be reduced during periods of high demand for the remainder of the winter.” The reductions may be necessary in order for Sonat to meet its firm storage withdrawal obligations.

Florida Gas Transmission said Monday its total linepack was dropping below targeted operational levels and that it had experienced market-area overburns during the past week. Thus an Overage Alert Day notice may become necessary “to ensure that FGT’s linepack does not drop to lower levels,” the pipeline said.

Texas Eastern (Tetco) quit accepting incremental due-shipper imbalance nominations Monday and said none will be available from Tuesday forward until further notice. Tetco also said it completed inspection of an underwater leak in its 24-inch line in the Mississippi River upstream of the Oran (MO) Compressor Station (see Daily GPI, Feb. 24) and had determined that further repairs will be required. Until permanent repairs can be made, which is expected in about one week, the pipeline is operating at 70% of normal capacity through the Fagus (AR) Compressor Station.

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