[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 41376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20273]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP97-640-000]


Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application

July 28, 1997.
    Take notice that on July 15, 1997, Northern Natural Gas Company 
(Northern), P.O. Box 3330, Omaha, Nebraska 68103-0330, filed in Docket 
No. CP97-640-000 an application pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural 
Gas Act and Part 157 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's 
Regulations for permission and approval to abandon by sale of CNG 
Producing Company (CNG) Northern's ownership interest certain non-
contiguous pipeline facilities, with appurtenances, located in 
Matagorda Island, Offshore Texas (these facilities are known as the 
High Island Block 571A Lateral), all as more fully set forth in the 
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    According to Northern, the Commission found that High Island 571 
facilities to be non-jurisdictional gathering facilities pursuant to an 
Order issued June 17, 1994 in CNG Transmission Corporation.\1\ Northern 
proposes to transfer the High Island 571 facilities to CNG which will 
operate the facilities on a non-jurisdictional basis. According to 
Northern, CNG will assume all future obligations, and operational and 
economic responsibilities for these facilities. Northern contends that 
it will not seek any Order No. 636 stranded facility costs associated 
with its High Island 571 facilities. Northern states that the 
facilities to be conveyed to CNG consist of Northern's ownership 
interest of 15.625% of approximately 7.5 miles of 20-inch pipeline and 
appurtenant facilities, such pipeline extends from the platform in High 
Island Block A-571 and terminates at High Island Block A-546 where it 
connects to the High Island Offshore System (HIOS).
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    \1\ CNG Transmission Corporation, et al., 67 FERC para. 61,330 
(1994) and 69 FERC para. 61,650 (1994).
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    Northern states that it constructed these facilities pursuant to 
its authority in Docket No. CP80-375-000. Northern states that in the 
High Island 571 facilities were initially installed in order to connect 
new gas supplies required for Northern's merchant sales obligation. 
Northern contends that it is not currently providing transportation 
service through its capacity on these facilities. Northern requests 
that the abandonment authority include any facilities constructed 
pursuant to its blanket authority during the processing of the proposed 
application. Northern states that CNG will assume the entire economic 
risk of the High Island 571 facilities, and any remaining service 
obligations associated with the facilities it seeks to acquire from 
Northern. Northern notes that the High Island 571 facilities are 
located on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and are subject to 
sections 5 (e) and (f) of the OCS Lands Acts (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1334 
(e) and (f). Northern asserts that the proposed abandonment does not 
involve a significant environmental impact and granting the requested 
authorization will not constitute a major federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before August 18, 1997, file 
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20426 a motion to intervene or a protest in accordance 
with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (18 CFR 385.211) and the Regulations under the Natural Gas 
Act (18 CFR 157.10). All protests filed with the Commission will be 
considered by it in determining the appropriate action to be taken but 
will not serve to make the protestants parties to the proceeding. Any 
person wishing to become a party to a proceeding or to participate as a 
party in any hearing therein must file a motion to intervene in 
accordance with the Commission's Rules.
    Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in 
and subject to the jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission by Sections 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and 
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a hearing will be 
held without further notice before the Commission or its designee on 
this application if no motion to intervene is filed within the time 
required herein, if the Commission on its on review of the matter finds 
that permission and approval for the proposed abandonment are required 
by the public convenience and necessity. If a motion for leave to 
intervene is timely filed, or if the Commission on its own motion 
believes that a formal hearing is required, further notice of such 
hearing will be duly given.
    Under the procedure herein provided for, unless otherwise advised, 
it will be unnecessary for Northern to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-20273 Filed 7-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M