Energy Law

PHMSA Provides Formal Interpretations to Downeast LNG Regarding Exclusion Zone Calculation, Jetting and Flashing

Posted on July 19, 2010
Last Friday, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) provided formal guidance on two questions submitted by Downeast LNG. First, PHMSA concluded that Downeast LNG may use the DLNG Source Term Model to calculate the vapor-gas exclusion zone for the sumps proposed for the Downeast LNG facility...

FERC Approves Pipeline Expansions for Gulf LNG Terminal

Posted on July 19, 2010
Last week FERC approved two expansions for natural gas pipelines associated with the Gulf LNG terminal. According to Platts LNG Daily [subscription required], Angola LNG has secured all the firm capacity on the pair of expansions. FERC's authorization is available in the Commission's eLibrary under Docket No...

FERC Requests Additional Information from Oregon LNG

Posted on July 14, 2010
Yesterday, FERC requested additional engineering information from Oregon LNG regarding the project storage tank and associated systems. The data request is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP09-6.

Alaskan Legislators Raise Concerns With LNG Export Permit Extension

Posted on July 09, 2010
A number of Democratic state legislators in Alaska have raised concerns over ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil's request to extend their Kenai LNG export permit until  2013. Among their concerns is fear that local natural gas needs are not being considered sufficiently by federal regulators...

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PHMSA Issues Letter of Interpretation of Requirements for Calculating Gas Vapor Dispersion Zones

Posted on July 08, 2010
In a letter to Weaver's Cove LNG issued yesterday, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) states that it has found deficiencies in the SOURCE5 gas vapor dispersion model and the use of this model will no longer be considered in compliance with PHMSA's regulations.

Alabama Governor Delays Decision on TORP LNG Proposal

Posted on July 07, 2010
The U.S. Maritime Administration has granted Alabama Governor Bob Riley (R) an extension until September 14, 2010 to decide whether to oppose the TORP LNG import project proposed for offshore Alabama. Read more in the Mobile Press-Register.

ConocoPhillips, Marathon, Dow Submit LNG Export Applications to DOE

Posted on July 01, 2010
ConocoPhillips and Marathon submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy earlier this month requesting an extension to March 2013 of their blanket authorization to export LNG from the Kenai liquefaction facility in Alaska...

FERC Completes Environmental Review of Cameron LNG's Proposed Modification

Posted on June 30, 2010
Yesterday, FERC released its Environmental Assessment of Cameron LNG's proposal to install a spare compressor unit  that will be used to compress and deliver boil-off gas. FERC staff recommends that the final order on the project include a finding of no significant impact...

Jordan Cove LNG Responds to FERC's Data Requests

Posted on June 21, 2010
Last Friday Jordan Cove LNG responded to FERC's request for engineering data regarding a proposed redesign of the facility's ship berth. Jordan Cove's response is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP07-444.

Kenai LNG Backers Seek Extension to Export Volumes Approved in 2008

Posted on June 21, 2010
Earlier this month ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil, the two owners of the Kenai LNG liquefaction facility, filed an application seeking an additional two years to export volumes approved in 2008 for shipment from 2009 to 2011. The Anchorage Daily News reports that the companies are seeking an extension of time to March 2013, citing the use of a single tanker and global market conditions.

FERC Grants Extension of Time Request for Calypso Gas Pipeline

Posted on June 16, 2010
FERC has granted Calypso U.S. Pipeline, LLC an extension of time to construct and make available for service a natural gas pipeline project that would be used to transport regasified LNG from a U.S./Bahamas Exclusive Economic Zone boundary to Florida...

FERC Requests Additional Data on Jordan Cove LNG Ship Berth Redesign

Posted on June 09, 2010
Yesterday, FERC requested additional data regarding the planned redesign of the marine ship berth structure as part of the Jordan Cove LNG facility. The Commission staff seeks engineering data and drawings, as well as any comments on the redesign offered by the U...

FERC Determines No Willful Misconduct by Oregon Pipeline Project Developers

Posted on June 07, 2010
Last Friday FERC released its report following three administrative fact finding hearings on the conduct of the developers of the Oregon Pipeline project. The report, available in the Commission's eLibrary under Docket No. AD10-6, concludes that the developers of the project did not engage in any willful misconduct.

Developer Seeking Extension for Bahamas LNG Pipeline

Posted on June 04, 2010
Calypso Pipeline has requested FERC extend its in-service deadline to June 30, 2012, for its planned natural gas pipeline. As currently envisioned, the pipeline would transport to Florida regasified LNG imported to the Bahamas. Read more in The Bahama Journal.

Weaver's Cove LNG Seeks More Time Address FERC's Data Requests

Posted on June 02, 2010
Yesterday, Weaver's Cove LNG requested additional time to respond to a number of FERC's data requests regarding the company's proposed pipe-in-pipe LNG transfer system. Weaver's Cove LNG's response is available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP04-36.

Editorial Supports Application of Wild and Scenic Designation to Taunton River

Posted on May 26, 2010
An editorial published in today's Herald News (Fall River, Mass.) offers support for the U.S. Department of Interior's conclusion that it will "be unable to find [the Weaver's Cove LNG] project consistent with the Taunton Wild and Scenic River designation," noting that the Weaver's Cove project could affect the local economy and environment.

Dominion Cove Point LNG Addresses FERC's Data Request

Posted on May 24, 2010
Last week Dominion Cove Point LNG filed responses to FERC's data request that addressed a number of post-inspection recommendations filed by the Commission. Dominion Cove Point's responses are available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP05-130.

FERC Offers Recommendations to Freeport LNG Terminal

Posted on May 21, 2010
Following its annual inspection of the Freeport LNG terminal, FERC offered a list of recommendations to improve the facility. The list is available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP03-75.

FERC Grants Extension of Time for Creole Trail LNG Project

Posted on May 20, 2010
Yesterday FERC granted Cheniere's request for an extension of time to construct and place into operation the Creole Trail LNG import project and associated pipeline. The revised deadline for placing the project into service is June 15, 2011. FERC's letter granting Cheniere's request is available in the eLibrary under Docket No...

FERC Requests Environmental Data from Cameron LNG

Posted on May 20, 2010
Yesterday FERC requested environmental data from Cameron LNG regarding the company's proposal to install a back-up natural gas compressor for the terminal's boil-off gas system. FERC's request is available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP10-165.

Hess LNG Considering Changes to Crown Landing LNG Project Design

Posted on May 19, 2010
The News Journal (Del.) reports that Hess LNG is considering a number of revisions to the design of the Crown Landing LNG import and regasification project. Changes under consideration include reducing the overall sendout capacity of the facility to 600 MMcf/d and reducing the number of LNG storage tanks from three to one...

FERC Denies Extension of Time Request by Yukon Pacific LNG

Posted on May 19, 2010
Last week, FERC decided not to grant Yukon Pacific LNG's request for an extension of time to build its planned LNG liquefaction and export facility. In its letter of decision, FERC noted that the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Yukon Pacific LNG project was completed more than fifteen years ago and is "outdated...

NPS Determines Weaver's Cove LNG Project Inconsistent with Federal Law

Posted on May 18, 2010
The Boston Herald reports that the National Park Service (NPS) has determined that the proposed Weaver's Cove LNG import project is not consistent with the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The letter from NPS to FERC should be available in the eLibrary soon.

FERC Requests Schedule for Oregon LNG Pipeline Open Season, Citing "Uncertainty" of Environmental Review

Posted on May 17, 2010
Last Friday FERC requested that Oregon LNG provide its schedule for the open season for capacity on the Oregon Pipeline associated with the Oregon LNG import project. In its letter, FERC noted that "[c]onsidering the uncertainty of the outcome of the environmental analysis, the fact that [Oregon LNG] ha[s] not attempted to garner the critical project information that [it] would obtain through holding an open season, and the passage of over a year and a half since the filing of the application, we must reassess whether Commission staff?s continued efforts and analysis are appropriate under these circumstances...

Oregon State Rep. Seeking Information on Alleged Meeting Regarding Jordan Cove LNG

Posted on May 14, 2010
KVAL News reports that Oregon State Rep. Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay) has requested information about an alleged meeting between FERC officials and LNG opponents regarding the Jordan Cove LNG project. Representative Roblan said that he is pursuing this Freedom of Information Act request to determine whether there was any improper influence of FERC resulting in a delay of the LNG project.

Local Activist Predicts Quoddy Bay LNG's Appeal of BIA Decision Will Be Unsuccessful

Posted on May 13, 2010
Robert Godfrey of Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-Nation Alliance told the Telegraph-Journal that he expects that an appeal by Quoddy Bay LNG of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' (BIA) decision to cancel the lease for the planned LNG terminal's site will be unsuccessful.

FERC Requests Engineering Data from Weaver's Cove LNG

Posted on May 12, 2010
Yesterday FERC requested additional engineering information from Weaver's Cove LNG, focusing on the operations of the pipe-in-pipe LNG transfer system. The request is available in FERC's eLibrary under Docket No. CP04-36.

Quoddy Bay LNG Seeks Reconsideration of BIA Decision on Lease of Project Site

Posted on May 07, 2010
Donald Smith, president of Quoddy Bay LNG, told the Telegraph-Journal that he has asked the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to reconsider its decision to cancel the company's lease of the project site on tribal land.

D.C. Circuit Holds FERC Adequately Addressed WGL's Concerns with Cove Point LNG Terminal Expansion

Posted on April 28, 2010
Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit determined that FERC adequately addressed Washington Gas Light Company's (WGL) concerns regarding the  safety of its distribution system in light of the Cove Point LNG terminal expansion...

U.S. BIA Cancels Tribe?s Deal with Quoddy Bay LNG

Posted on April 28, 2010
This week the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) cancelled Quoddy Bay LNG's contract with the Passamaquoddy Tribe to use a portion of the tribe's land to construct an LNG import terminal. Quoddy Bay LNG President Don Smith told the Bangor Daily News that he intends to request that the BIA reconsider its decision.

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