Northwest reported that because it has been unable to deliverspec quality gas off the south end due to increased hydrocarbondewpoint levels, starting today it will be required to shut in sixinterconnect points: Piceance Quick Cycle, Grand Valley, SandSprings, Grand Gas, Premier-Bar-X and Bar-X. The pipeline said itwould contact each affected interconnect operator to discuss gasquality details.

Columbia Gas (TCO) is holding an open season through June 16 toassess interest in a possible system expansion and extension.Expansion capacity under the existing FTS rate schedule would befrom the Eagle receipt point (interconnect with Texas Eastern inChester County, PA) in TCO’s Market Area 25 to delivery points inMarket Area 24. Extension capacity would come under a new,to-be-filed FLTS (firm lateral transportation service) rateschedule and would apply to service on proposed new facilitiesextending from the Delmarva meter station in Market Area 24 to anew delivery point to be located in the Delaware County, PA area.Minimum contract terms would be 10 years in both cases. Theearliest commencement date for service would be Sept. 1, 2002, TCOsaid. The pipeline also is holding a reverse open season in whichexisting customers may permanently turn back firm capacity. CallBernie Schaffler at (703) 227-3265 for more information.

Williams Field Services began operation Thursday of thecompressors at Transco’s Station 44 (Cameron Parish, LA) as agentfor the pipeline. The compressors had been off-line for about threeyears because the pipeline felt they were not needed, said aTransco spokesman. They will operate for an undetermined testperiod to allow WFS to evaluate operational feasibility and theeffect on the North High Island pipeline system. The compressors’operation is expected to increase deliveries out of North HighIsland by about 10% due to lower pressures.

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