A Birmingham, AL-based developer Friday got the initial environmental go-ahead for its proposal to build salt dome natural gas storage facilities in Chambers and Liberty counties, TX.

“Approval of the project would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment…We recommend that the Commission order contain a finding of no significant impact and include the mitigation measures” proposed by the agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s staff concluded in the draft environmental assessment (EA) of the project [PF09-14].

Turtle Bayou Gas Storage Co. LLC’s project “would be strategically located in southeast Texas where it would be able to store gas from Gulf Coast producers, liquefied natural gas terminals, and additional supply coming from the Midcontinent via new pipeline projects. Potential gas supplies would include those from fast-growing unconventional sources (e.g., shale, tight sights and coalbed methane),” the draft EA said.

The project would have two salt dome storage caverns, with a combined total gas capacity of approximately 16.6 Bcf and a combined working capacity of 12 Bcf. The proposed storage facility would be able to cycle up to six times per year with a service cycle of 20 days withdrawal and 40 days injection. It would have an average daily injection capacity of about 300 MMcf and a maximum daily withdrawal capacity of 600 MMcf.

Turtle Bayou proposes to contruct two 24-inch diameter interconnects with Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America and Texas Eastern Transmission, which would provide storage customers with access to most major interstate and intrastate pipe systems serving the Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions.

The company also plans to build a 16,470 total hp compressor station with two natural gas-driven reciprocating compressors with emission controls and one electric drive compressor with ancillary facilities, and one 138-kV electricial substation.

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