Delfin LNG LLC; Application for Long-Term Authorization To Export Liquefied Natural Gas Produced From Domestic Natural Gas Resources to Non-Free Trade Agreement Countries for a 20-Year Period, 16782-16785 [2014-06656]
Download as PDF
16782
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 58 / Wednesday, March 26, 2014 / Notices
Copies of this application will be
made available, upon request, for public
inspection and copying at the address
provided above, by accessing the
program Web site at https://energy.gov/
node/11845, or by emailing Angela Troy
at Angela.Troy@hq.doe.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 20,
2014.
Brian Mills,
Director, Permitting and Siting, Office of
Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability.
[FR Doc. 2014–06654 Filed 3–25–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[FE Docket No. 13–147–LNG]
Delfin LNG LLC; Application for LongTerm Authorization To Export
Liquefied Natural Gas Produced From
Domestic Natural Gas Resources to
Non-Free Trade Agreement Countries
for a 20-Year Period
Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.
Notice of application.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Office of Fossil Energy
(FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE)
gives notice of receipt of an application
(Application) filed on November 12,
2013, by Delfin LNG LLC (Delfin),
requesting long-term, multi-contract
authorization to export liquefied natural
gas (LNG) produced from domestic
sources in a volume equivalent to
approximately 657.5 billion cubic feet
per year (Bcf/yr) of natural gas, or 1.8
Bcf per day (Bcf/d). Delfin seeks
authorization to export the LNG for a
20-year term from a proposed floating
liquefaction project to be located in
West Cameron Block 167 (WC 167) of
the Gulf of Mexico, offshore of Cameron
Parish, Louisiana (Liquefaction Project).
Delfin states that the floating
liquefaction facility will be a
‘‘deepwater port’’ within the meaning of
the Deepwater Port Act (33 U.S.C. 1501,
et seq.), and therefore also will require
a license from the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s Marine Administration
(MARAD), in conjunction with the U.S.
Coast Guard.
Delfin seeks authorization under
§ 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), 15
U.S.C. 717b(a), to export this LNG by
vessel from the Liquefaction Project to
any country with which the United
States does not have a free trade
agreement (FTA) requiring national
treatment for trade in natural gas (nonFTA countries), and with which trade is
not prohibited by U.S. law or policy.
Delfin seeks to export the LNG on its
own behalf and as agent for third
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:43 Mar 25, 2014
Jkt 232001
parties. Delfin requests that this
authorization commence on the earlier
of the date of first export or seven years
from the date the authorization is
issued.
DATES: Protests, motions to intervene or
notices of intervention, as applicable,
requests for additional procedures, and
written comments are to be filed using
procedures detailed in the Public
Comment Procedures section no later
than 4:30 p.m., Eastern time, May 27,
2014.
ADDRESSES:
Electronic Filing by email:, fergas@
hq.doe.gov
Regular Mail
U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34),
Office of Oil and Gas Global Security
and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy,
P.O. Box 44375, Washington, DC
20026–4375.
Hand Delivery or Private Delivery
Services (e.g., FedEx, UPS, etc.)
U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34),
Office of Oil and Gas Global Security
and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy,
Forrestal Building, Room 3E–042,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Larine Moore or Lisa Tracy, U.S.
Department of Energy (FE–34), Office
of Oil and Gas Global Security and
Supply, Office of Fossil Energy,
Forrestal Building, Room 3E–042,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586–
9478; (202) 586–4523.
Edward Myers, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the Assistant
General Counsel for Electricity and
Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building,
Room 6B–256, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585,
(202) 586–3397.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Applicant. Delfin is a Louisiana
limited liability company with its
principal place of business in Dallas,
Texas. Delfin states that it is a whollyowned subsidiary of Fairwood
Peninsula LLC (Fairwood Peninsula), a
Delaware limited liability company
formed by executives from both the
Fairwood Group (based in India and
Singapore) and the Peninsula Group
(based in the United States). Delfin
describes the corporate structure as
follows:
• Fairwood Peninsula is owned by
FWNR Energy Holdings (USA)
Corporation (Fairwood USA) and the
Peninsula Group.
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• Fairwood USA is a Delaware
corporation and a subsidiary of
Fairwood Welbeck Natural Resources
Pte. Ltd. (or FWNRL).
• Fairwood Welbeck Natural
Resources Pte. Ltd. is part of the
Fairwood Group, an India-based group
of companies with investments in
energy, transportation, and
urbanization. FWNRL is a company
organized and existing under the laws of
Singapore, with its principal place of
business in Midland House, Singapore
188970. It is engaged in developing
natural gas activities, including natural
gas production and LNG liquefaction
within the United States and
regasification facilities and offtake
contracts in Asia.
• The Peninsula Group is a privately
owned, Texas-based group of companies
with interests in land development,
construction projects, and oil and gas.
Delfin states that principals of
Fairwood Welbeck Natural Resources
Pte. Ltd. and the Peninsula Group have
been working on the development of the
Liquefaction Project for several years
and are engaged in advanced
negotiations with major strategic
partners.
Procedural History. On October 7,
2013, concurrently with its filing of this
Application, Delfin filed a separate
application requesting authorization
under NGA section 3(c), 15 U.S.C.
§ 717b(c), to export the same volume of
LNG requested herein from the
Liquefaction Project to FTA countries—
i.e., those countries with whom the
United States currently has, or in the
future will have, a FTA requiring the
national treatment for trade in natural
gas, and with which trade is not
prohibited by U.S. law or policy.1 On
February 20, 2014, DOE/FE granted that
application in DOE/FE Order No. 3393,
authorizing Delfin to export
domestically produced LNG to FTA
countries in a volume equivalent to
657.5 Bcf/yr (1.8 Bcf/d) for a 20-year
term.2 Delfin states that the volumes
requested for export under this
1 Delfin LNG LLC, Application for Long-Term
Authorization to Export LNG to Free Trade
Agreement Countries, FE Docket No. 13–129–LNG
(Oct. 7, 2013). The United States currently has
FTAs requiring national treatment for trade in
natural gas with Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile,
Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco,
Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Peru, Republic of Korea,
and Singapore. FTAs with Israel and Costa Rica do
not require national treatment for trade in natural
gas.
2 Delfin LNG LLC, DOE/FE Order No. 3393, Order
Granting Long-term Multi-Contract Authority to
Export LNG by Vessel from a Proposed Floating
Liquefaction Project and Deepwater Port in the Gulf
of Mexico to Free Trade Agreement Nations (Feb.
20, 2014).
E:\FR\FM\26MRN1.SGM
26MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 58 / Wednesday, March 26, 2014 / Notices
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Application and its FTA application,
now granted in Order No. 3393, are not
additive.
Liquefaction Project. Delfin proposes
to develop, own, and operate a floating
liquefaction facility in WC 167 of the
Gulf of Mexico, approximately 30 miles
offshore of Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
As stated above, Delfin asserts that the
facility will qualify as a ‘‘deepwater
port’’ under the Deepwater Port Act, 33
U.S.C. 1501 et seq., and thus will
require Delfin to obtain a separate
license from MARAD, working in
conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard.3
Delfin states that liquefaction at the
new deepwater port will utilize floating
liquefaction and storage vessels
(FLNGV) to be moored near an existing
platform located in WC 167,
approximately 30 miles offshore of
Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Delfin states
that the platform is the terminus and
metering point of the existing Enbridge
Offshore Pipelines (UTOS) natural gas
pipeline system, and is connected to the
shore via an existing 42-inch diameter,
30-mile long gas pipeline. Delfin states
that the pipeline system commenced
operation in 1978 and previously was
utilized for the purpose of transporting
offshore natural gas production to
onshore connections with
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line
(Transco), Natural Gas Pipeline
Company of America (NGPL), and ANR
Pipeline Company (ANR), as well as to
nearby gas processing plants. Delfin
asserts that, because of significantly
decreased flow volumes, the UTOS gas
pipeline could no longer be
economically operated for its original
purpose. As a result, in 2011, the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) authorized the pipeline to
abandon its services and certificates,
while deferring the final disposition of
its facilities.4 Delfin maintains that the
system has been idle since that time and
is currently filled with nitrogen.
Delfin states that it has entered into a
letter of intent with the owner of the
pipeline system that provides Delfin the
exclusive right to acquire the pipeline
system, subject to the satisfaction of
certain conditions including regulatory
approvals. Delfin intends to
3 Delfin states that the Deepwater Port Act
authorizes the ownership, construction, and
operation of marine terminals in federal waters of
the Outer Continental Shelf. The Deepwater Port
Act originally applied only to oil import terminals,
but was amended in 2002 to include LNG import
terminals. Delfin states that Section 312 of the Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012
(H.R. 2838) further amended the Deepwater Port
Act to include facilities for the export of oil and
natural gas.
4 Enbridge Offshore Pipelines (UTOS) LLC, 136
FERC ¶ 62,269 (2011).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:43 Mar 25, 2014
Jkt 232001
recommission and to reverse the flow on
the existing 42-inch pipeline for
purposes of delivering feed gas to the
Liquefaction Project. According to
Delfin, the existing pipeline is
anticipated to have capacity to transport
up to 1.8 Bcf/d of natural gas from the
Louisiana coastline to the new Delfin
deepwater port facility. Delfin states
that, following the reactivation of its
previous onshore interconnections with
major interstate pipelines (Transco,
NGPL, and ANR) and modifications to
reverse flow, the pipeline will allow the
Liquefaction Project to access the
domestic natural gas interstate pipeline
system.5
Delfin states that the planned
liquefaction will be provided on
FLNGVs that will be moored at purposebuilt single point moorings located as
near the terminus of the existing
pipeline in WC 167 as operationally and
safely as possible (expected to be within
approximately 2000 feet). According to
Delfin, the FLNGVs will have the
capability to export LNG to off-taking
LNG carriers utilizing a proven ship-toship, side transfer process. Delfin states
that the precise location and spacing of
the FLNGVs around the existing WC 167
platform will depend on further design
work, as well as consultation with
MARAD and the Coast Guard.6 Delfin
states that it has begun consultation
with these agencies concerning the
licensing of the new port.
Delfin states that the Liquefaction
Project will be constructed in four LNG
trains. Delfin states that it has entered
into a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) with a midstream LNG company
to provide at least the first two FLNGVs.
According to Delfin, the focus of the
MOU is to develop fast track, modular,
and mid-scale liquefaction solutions of
approximately 2.5 million metric tons
per annum (mtpa) per train, based on
existing technology and using
completed front-end engineering and
designs. Delfin estimates that, subject to
all regulatory approvals, it will begin
operation of the first train in 2017 and
the second train in 2018.
Delfin anticipates that the third and
fourth LNG trains will be provided by
FLNGVs ordered and constructed for
purposes of this Project. Delfin states
that it is engaged in advanced
discussions with a ship-building
company and a LNG carrier company
concerning these trains. Delfin
anticipates contracting with the ship5 A map showing both the location of WC 167 and
the existing gas pipeline is attached to the
Application as Appendix C.
6 A basic site plan for the mooring system and
other site depictions are attached to the Application
as Appendix D.
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
16783
builder for the construction of a new
FLNGV(s) for the third and fourth trains.
Delfin states that these two trains will
provide liquefaction capacity of 4.0
million mtpa each, bringing the total
capacity of the Liquefaction Project to
approximately 13 million mtpa. Delfin
anticipates beginning operation of the
third and fourth trains in 2019 and
2021, respectively.
Current Application
Delfin seeks authorization to export a
volume of LNG equivalent to 657.5 Bcf/
yr of natural gas (1.8 Bcf/d) from the
Liquefaction Project to non-FTA
countries for the requested 20-year term,
beginning on the date of first export or
seven years from the date of issuance of
the authorization requested by this
Application, whichever is sooner. As
noted above, Delfin states that the
export volume requested in this
Application is not additive to the same
volume requested in its FTA
application, granted in DOE/FE Order
No. 3393.
In light of the planned phased
development of the Liquefaction
Project—with successive trains expected
to become operational from 2017
through 2021—Delfin requests that the
‘‘date of first export’’ be determined on
a train-specific basis. Delfin explains
this request as follows: ‘‘For example,
exports from the first train, if placed in
operation in 2017 as planned, would
extend for twenty years from that first
export . . . but if the third train were
placed in operation in 2020, exports
from it also would be authorized for
twenty years from the start of that
train’s export operations (rather than
only approximately seventeen years,
based on the original date of first
export).’’ 7 Delfin notes that the export
authorization for all trains would
commence no later than seven years
from the date of the order authorizing
exports, consistent with its request
above. According to Delfin, this phased
approach, while not previously adopted
by DOE/FE, will facilitate the orderly,
phased developments of its facility and
its contracts with customers.
Delfin is requesting authorization to
export LNG on its own behalf or as
agent for other entities who hold title to
the LNG at the time of export. Delfin
states that it will comply with all DOE/
FE requirements for exporters and
agents, including registration
requirements articulated in recent DOE/
FE orders.
Delfin further states that it intends to
export domestically produced natural
gas sourced from both conventional and
7 App.
E:\FR\FM\26MRN1.SGM
at 9.
26MRN1
16784
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 58 / Wednesday, March 26, 2014 / Notices
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
non-conventional production. Delfin
anticipates that this gas will be available
from the interstate pipeline grid, and
delivered through the connection to its
dedicated, existing pipeline to the new
deepwater port. Delfin states that its
connection with the interstate pipeline
system will provide access to abundant,
diverse supplies of natural gas produced
from Louisiana and Texas (specifically
in the Eagle Ford Shale) and across the
United States.
Delfin states that it is engaged in
commercial negotiations with numerous
potential customers. Delfin anticipates
that it will contract some of its
capacity—in particular, portions of its
first and possibly second LNG trains—
with customers in FTA countries, and
expects to contract other amounts of
capacity with customers located in nonFTA countries. Delfin states that,
consistent with DOE/FE precedent, it
will file under seal any relevant long
term commercial agreements for natural
gas liquefaction and LNG export
services between Delfin and its
customers, once those agreements have
been executed.
Delfin further asserts that, as a
practical matter, the requested
authorization will not be actionable
until MARAD grants Delfin
authorization for the facilities needed
for the liquefaction of natural gas and
the export of LNG. According to Delfin,
an environmental review under the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., will be
completed by MARAD and the Coast
Guard, together with the participation of
DOE and other consulting agencies,
prior to granting the requested
authorizations. Accordingly, Delfin
requests that DOE/FE issue a
conditional authorization in this
proceeding, conditioned on completion
of the environmental review by MARAD
and the Coast Guard.
Public Interest Considerations
Delfin states that DOE/FE should
grant the requested authorization to
allow LNG exports under NGA § 3(a)
because the proposed exports are
consistent with, and will advance, the
public interest.
According to Delfin, allowing Delfin
and its customers to freely negotiate
contracts to respond to market
conditions and to utilize the proposed
Liquefaction Project will be consistent
with the pro-competition focus of DOE’s
1984 Policy Guidelines for
implementing NGA § 3.8 Delfin states
8 ‘‘New Policy Guidelines and Delegation Orders
Relating to the Regulation of Natural Gas,’’ 49 Fed.
Reg. 6684 (Feb. 22, 1984).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:43 Mar 25, 2014
Jkt 232001
that North American gas reserves are
more than adequate to satisfy demand in
the United States, even under the most
aggressive demand projections
including a large domestic LNG export
industry. Delfin states that its proposed
exports could not pose a threat to
domestic gas supply security. Rather,
the proposed exports will provide a
steady, incremental demand for natural
gas, thereby supporting natural supply
development and producing economic
and employment benefits. Delfin states
that other benefits of LNG exports
include reducing the U.S. trade
imbalance, complying with the nation’s
long-standing support of free-trade, and
promoting positive consequences in
international relations.
Delfin also references the recent twopart macroeconomic study
commissioned by DOE to assert that the
general benefits of LNG exports are well
known to DOE/FE. Delfin states that the
first part of the study, conducted by the
Energy Information Agency (EIA),
evaluated the potential impact of
additional LNG exports on domestic
energy consumption, production, and
prices under several export scenarios.9
Delfin states that the second part of the
study, conducted by NERA Economic
Consulting, assessed the potential
macroeconomic impact of LNG exports
using NERA’s energy-economy model.10
According to Delfin, DOE/FE has held
that the NERA study supports the
proposition that proposed exports of
LNG are not inconsistent with the
public interest. Delfin further states that
NERA’s findings—that the United States
will benefit from the export of
domestically produced LNG—are
confirmed by numerous other
persuasive studies, such as studies
published by the Brookings Institution
in June 2012 and by ICF International in
May 2013. Citing the extensive evidence
of the benefits of LNG exports presented
in these studies, Delfin states that it is
incorporating these studies into the
record of this proceeding and is not
submitting any studies of its own.
Delfin also discusses the unique
public interest benefits associated with
its Liquefaction Project. Specifically,
Delfin states that the Project is unique
because it will be located off-shore.
According to Delfin, the off-shore
9 U.S. Energy Information Administration, Effect
of Increased Natural Gas Exports on Domestic
Energy Markets (Jan. 2012), available at https://
energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/04/f0/fe_eia_
lng.pdf [EIA study].
10 NERA Economic Consulting, Macroeconomic
Impacts of LNG Exports From the United States
(Dec. 3, 2012), available at https://energy.gov/sites/
prod/files/2013/04/f0/nera_lng_report.pdf [NERA
study].
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
location enables it to avoid certain
environmental and land-owner concerns
that frequently arise concerning shorebased facilities. Delfin states that the offshore location also avoids seaway
congestion by limiting the number of
LNG tankers entering the crowded port
terminal system—an issue which it
states may be problematic for some
proposed terminals on the Gulf Coast.
Delfin notes that its FLNGVs will be
powered and mobile, enabling them to
move away from the mooring location to
escape a hurricane or other storm that
could cause interruptions in service
from damaged facilities of on-shore LNG
terminals. Delfin further states that its
liquefaction trains on the FLNGVs will
be constructed in the controlled
environment of a shipyard, which it
maintains will result in improved
quality controls and will promote
increased safety in operations. Delfin
expects to be among the most
environmentally friendly LNG
liquefaction facilities in the world,
burning only natural gas, using air
cooling and closed loop cooling, and
using no sea water, for all systems.
According to Delfin, its proposed use of
the existing UTOS gas pipeline also
avoids the need for new construction
and provides a new use for
infrastructure that was otherwise slated
for abandonment. For these and other
reasons, Delfin asserts that the
Liquefaction Project will result in
economic benefits to the Louisiana
coastal region.
Delfin provides additional discussion
in asserting that: (1) Projected natural
gas supplies in the United States are
more than sufficient to support exports,
(2) any effect of Delfin’s proposed
exports on domestic gas prices would be
minor and should help to reduce price
volatility, and (3) LNG exports, such as
those proposed by Delfin, will
significantly benefit the United States,
both domestically and with respect to
international consequences.
Additional details can be found in
Delfin’s Application, which is posted on
the DOE/FE Web site at: https://
www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/
gasregulation/authorizations/2013_
applications/Delfin_LNG_LLC_-_FE._
DK._-_13-147-LNG.html.
DOE/FE Evaluation
The Application will be reviewed
pursuant to section 3(a) of the NGA, 15
U.S.C. 717b(a), and DOE will consider
any issues required by law or policy. To
the extent determined to be relevant,
these issues will include the domestic
need for the natural gas proposed to be
exported, the adequacy of domestic
natural gas supply, U.S. energy security,
E:\FR\FM\26MRN1.SGM
26MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 58 / Wednesday, March 26, 2014 / Notices
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
and the cumulative impact of the
requested authorization and any other
LNG export application(s) previously
approved on domestic natural gas
supply and demand fundamentals. DOE
may also consider other factors bearing
on the public interest, including the
impact of the proposed exports on the
U.S. economy (including GDP,
consumers, and industry), job creation,
the U.S. balance of trade, and
international considerations; and
whether the authorization is consistent
with DOE’s policy of promoting
competition in the marketplace by
allowing commercial parties to freely
negotiate their own trade arrangements.
Parties that may oppose this
Application should address these issues
in their comments and/or protests, as
well as other issues deemed relevant to
the Application.
NEPA requires DOE to give
appropriate consideration to the
environmental effects of its decisions.
No final decision will be issued in this
proceeding until DOE has met its
environmental responsibilities.
Due to the complexity of the issues
raised by the Applicant, interested
persons will be provided 60 days from
the date of publication of this Notice in
which to submit comments, protests,
motions to intervene, notices of
intervention, or motions for additional
procedures.
Public Comment Procedures
In response to this Notice, any person
may file a protest, comments, or a
motion to intervene or notice of
intervention, as applicable. Any person
wishing to become a party to the
proceeding must file a motion to
intervene or notice of intervention, as
applicable. The filing of comments or a
protest with respect to the Application
will not serve to make the commenter or
protestant a party to the proceeding,
although protests and comments
received from persons who are not
parties will be considered in
determining the appropriate action to be
taken on the Application. All protests,
comments, motions to intervene, or
notices of intervention must meet the
requirements specified by the
regulations in 10 CFR Part 590.
Filings may be submitted using one of
the following methods: (1) Emailing the
filing to fergas@hq.doe.gov with FE
Docket No. 13–147–LNG in the title
line; (2) mailing an original and three
paper copies of the filing to the Office
of Oil and Gas Global Security and
Supply at the address listed in
ADDRESSES; or (3) hand delivering an
original and three paper copies of the
filing to the Office of Oil and Gas Global
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:43 Mar 25, 2014
Jkt 232001
Security and Supply at the address
listed in ADDRESSES. All filings must
include a reference to FE Docket No.
13–147–LNG. Please Note: If submitting
a filing via email, please include all
related documents and attachments
(e.g., exhibits) in the original email
correspondence. Please do not include
any active hyperlinks or password
protection in any of the documents or
attachments related to the filing. All
electronic filings submitted to DOE
must follow these guidelines to ensure
that all documents are filed in a timely
manner. Any hardcopy filing submitted
greater in length than 50 pages must
also include, at the time of the filing, a
digital copy on disk of the entire
submission.
A decisional record on the
Application will be developed through
responses to this notice by parties,
including the parties’ written comments
and replies thereto. Additional
procedures will be used as necessary to
achieve a complete understanding of the
facts and issues. A party seeking
intervention may request that additional
procedures be provided, such as
additional written comments, an oral
presentation, a conference, or trial-type
hearing. Any request to file additional
written comments should explain why
they are necessary. Any request for an
oral presentation should identify the
substantial question of fact, law, or
policy at issue, show that it is material
and relevant to a decision in the
proceeding, and demonstrate why an
oral presentation is needed. Any request
for a conference should demonstrate
why the conference would materially
advance the proceeding. Any request for
a trial-type hearing must show that there
are factual issues genuinely in dispute
that are relevant and material to a
decision, and that a trial-type hearing is
necessary for a full and true disclosure
of the facts.
If an additional procedure is
scheduled, notice will be provided to all
parties. If no party requests additional
procedures, a final Opinion and Order
may be issued based on the official
record, including the Application and
responses filed by parties pursuant to
this notice, in accordance with 10 CFR
590.316.
The Application is available for
inspection and copying in the Division
of Natural Gas Regulatory Activities
docket room, Room 3E–042, 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585. The docket
room is open between the hours of 8:00
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Application and any filed protests,
motions to intervene or notice of
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
16785
interventions, and comments will also
be available electronically by going to
the following DOE/FE Web address:
https://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/
gasregulation/.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 20,
2014.
John A. Anderson,
Director, Division of Natural Gas Regulatory
Activities, Office of Oil and Gas Global
Security and Supply, Office of Oil and
Natural Gas.
[FR Doc. 2014–06656 Filed 3–25–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Combined Notice of Filings # 2
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric rate
filings:
Docket Numbers: ER14–778–001.
Applicants: PacifiCorp.
Description: WECC Unscheduled
Flow Mitigation Plan Amended Filing to
be effective 1/1/2014.
Filed Date: 3/19/14.
Accession Number: 20140319–5098.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 4/9/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–1053–000;
ER14–1054–000.
Applicants: Plum Point Energy
Associates, LLC, Plum Point Services
Company, LLC.
Description: Supplement to January
17, 2014 Plum Point Energy Associates,
LLC and Plum Point Services Company,
LLC tariff filing and Notice of NonMaterial Change in Status.
Filed Date: 3/18/14.
Accession Number: 20140318–5058.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/31/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–1140–001.
Applicants: Inspire Energy Holdings,
LLC.
Description: Inspire Energy Holdings,
LLC FERC Tariff Filing to be effective 3/
19/2014.
Filed Date: 3/19/14.
Accession Number: 20140319–5138.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 4/9/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–1322–000.
Applicants: Corinth Energy, LLC.
Description: Supplement to February
14, 2014 Corinth Energy, LLC tariff
filing.
Filed Date: 3/18/14.
Accession Number: 20140318–5234.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/28/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–1532–000.
Applicants: Arizona Public Service
Company.
Description: Administrative Removal
of Rate Schedule No. 183 from Master
Tariff Vol 2 to be effective 10/1/2013.
E:\FR\FM\26MRN1.SGM
26MRN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16782-16785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06656]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[FE Docket No. 13-147-LNG]
Delfin LNG LLC; Application for Long-Term Authorization To Export
Liquefied Natural Gas Produced From Domestic Natural Gas Resources to
Non-Free Trade Agreement Countries for a 20-Year Period
AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of application.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy
(DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application) filed on
November 12, 2013, by Delfin LNG LLC (Delfin), requesting long-term,
multi-contract authorization to export liquefied natural gas (LNG)
produced from domestic sources in a volume equivalent to approximately
657.5 billion cubic feet per year (Bcf/yr) of natural gas, or 1.8 Bcf
per day (Bcf/d). Delfin seeks authorization to export the LNG for a 20-
year term from a proposed floating liquefaction project to be located
in West Cameron Block 167 (WC 167) of the Gulf of Mexico, offshore of
Cameron Parish, Louisiana (Liquefaction Project). Delfin states that
the floating liquefaction facility will be a ``deepwater port'' within
the meaning of the Deepwater Port Act (33 U.S.C. 1501, et seq.), and
therefore also will require a license from the U.S. Department of
Transportation's Marine Administration (MARAD), in conjunction with the
U.S. Coast Guard.
Delfin seeks authorization under Sec. 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act
(NGA), 15 U.S.C. 717b(a), to export this LNG by vessel from the
Liquefaction Project to any country with which the United States does
not have a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for
trade in natural gas (non-FTA countries), and with which trade is not
prohibited by U.S. law or policy. Delfin seeks to export the LNG on its
own behalf and as agent for third parties. Delfin requests that this
authorization commence on the earlier of the date of first export or
seven years from the date the authorization is issued.
DATES: Protests, motions to intervene or notices of intervention, as
applicable, requests for additional procedures, and written comments
are to be filed using procedures detailed in the Public Comment
Procedures section no later than 4:30 p.m., Eastern time, May 27, 2014.
ADDRESSES:
Electronic Filing by email:, fergas@hq.doe.gov
Regular Mail
U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office of Oil and Gas Global
Security and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy, P.O. Box 44375,
Washington, DC 20026-4375.
Hand Delivery or Private Delivery Services (e.g., FedEx, UPS, etc.)
U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office of Oil and Gas Global
Security and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, Room
3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Larine Moore or Lisa Tracy, U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office
of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy,
Forrestal Building, Room 3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9478; (202) 586-4523.
Edward Myers, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Assistant
General Counsel for Electricity and Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building,
Room 6B-256, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202)
586-3397.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Applicant. Delfin is a Louisiana limited liability company with its
principal place of business in Dallas, Texas. Delfin states that it is
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fairwood Peninsula LLC (Fairwood
Peninsula), a Delaware limited liability company formed by executives
from both the Fairwood Group (based in India and Singapore) and the
Peninsula Group (based in the United States). Delfin describes the
corporate structure as follows:
Fairwood Peninsula is owned by FWNR Energy Holdings (USA)
Corporation (Fairwood USA) and the Peninsula Group.
Fairwood USA is a Delaware corporation and a subsidiary of
Fairwood Welbeck Natural Resources Pte. Ltd. (or FWNRL).
Fairwood Welbeck Natural Resources Pte. Ltd. is part of
the Fairwood Group, an India-based group of companies with investments
in energy, transportation, and urbanization. FWNRL is a company
organized and existing under the laws of Singapore, with its principal
place of business in Midland House, Singapore 188970. It is engaged in
developing natural gas activities, including natural gas production and
LNG liquefaction within the United States and regasification facilities
and offtake contracts in Asia.
The Peninsula Group is a privately owned, Texas-based
group of companies with interests in land development, construction
projects, and oil and gas.
Delfin states that principals of Fairwood Welbeck Natural Resources
Pte. Ltd. and the Peninsula Group have been working on the development
of the Liquefaction Project for several years and are engaged in
advanced negotiations with major strategic partners.
Procedural History. On October 7, 2013, concurrently with its
filing of this Application, Delfin filed a separate application
requesting authorization under NGA section 3(c), 15 U.S.C. Sec.
717b(c), to export the same volume of LNG requested herein from the
Liquefaction Project to FTA countries--i.e., those countries with whom
the United States currently has, or in the future will have, a FTA
requiring the national treatment for trade in natural gas, and with
which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy.\1\ On February 20,
2014, DOE/FE granted that application in DOE/FE Order No. 3393,
authorizing Delfin to export domestically produced LNG to FTA countries
in a volume equivalent to 657.5 Bcf/yr (1.8 Bcf/d) for a 20-year
term.\2\ Delfin states that the volumes requested for export under this
[[Page 16783]]
Application and its FTA application, now granted in Order No. 3393, are
not additive.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Delfin LNG LLC, Application for Long-Term Authorization to
Export LNG to Free Trade Agreement Countries, FE Docket No. 13-129-
LNG (Oct. 7, 2013). The United States currently has FTAs requiring
national treatment for trade in natural gas with Australia, Bahrain,
Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Peru,
Republic of Korea, and Singapore. FTAs with Israel and Costa Rica do
not require national treatment for trade in natural gas.
\2\ Delfin LNG LLC, DOE/FE Order No. 3393, Order Granting Long-
term Multi-Contract Authority to Export LNG by Vessel from a
Proposed Floating Liquefaction Project and Deepwater Port in the
Gulf of Mexico to Free Trade Agreement Nations (Feb. 20, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liquefaction Project. Delfin proposes to develop, own, and operate
a floating liquefaction facility in WC 167 of the Gulf of Mexico,
approximately 30 miles offshore of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. As stated
above, Delfin asserts that the facility will qualify as a ``deepwater
port'' under the Deepwater Port Act, 33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq., and thus
will require Delfin to obtain a separate license from MARAD, working in
conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Delfin states that the Deepwater Port Act authorizes the
ownership, construction, and operation of marine terminals in
federal waters of the Outer Continental Shelf. The Deepwater Port
Act originally applied only to oil import terminals, but was amended
in 2002 to include LNG import terminals. Delfin states that Section
312 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (H.R.
2838) further amended the Deepwater Port Act to include facilities
for the export of oil and natural gas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delfin states that liquefaction at the new deepwater port will
utilize floating liquefaction and storage vessels (FLNGV) to be moored
near an existing platform located in WC 167, approximately 30 miles
offshore of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Delfin states that the platform
is the terminus and metering point of the existing Enbridge Offshore
Pipelines (UTOS) natural gas pipeline system, and is connected to the
shore via an existing 42-inch diameter, 30-mile long gas pipeline.
Delfin states that the pipeline system commenced operation in 1978 and
previously was utilized for the purpose of transporting offshore
natural gas production to onshore connections with Transcontinental Gas
Pipe Line (Transco), Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (NGPL),
and ANR Pipeline Company (ANR), as well as to nearby gas processing
plants. Delfin asserts that, because of significantly decreased flow
volumes, the UTOS gas pipeline could no longer be economically operated
for its original purpose. As a result, in 2011, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorized the pipeline to abandon its
services and certificates, while deferring the final disposition of its
facilities.\4\ Delfin maintains that the system has been idle since
that time and is currently filled with nitrogen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Enbridge Offshore Pipelines (UTOS) LLC, 136 FERC ] 62,269
(2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delfin states that it has entered into a letter of intent with the
owner of the pipeline system that provides Delfin the exclusive right
to acquire the pipeline system, subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions including regulatory approvals. Delfin intends to
recommission and to reverse the flow on the existing 42-inch pipeline
for purposes of delivering feed gas to the Liquefaction Project.
According to Delfin, the existing pipeline is anticipated to have
capacity to transport up to 1.8 Bcf/d of natural gas from the Louisiana
coastline to the new Delfin deepwater port facility. Delfin states
that, following the reactivation of its previous onshore
interconnections with major interstate pipelines (Transco, NGPL, and
ANR) and modifications to reverse flow, the pipeline will allow the
Liquefaction Project to access the domestic natural gas interstate
pipeline system.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ A map showing both the location of WC 167 and the existing
gas pipeline is attached to the Application as Appendix C.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delfin states that the planned liquefaction will be provided on
FLNGVs that will be moored at purpose-built single point moorings
located as near the terminus of the existing pipeline in WC 167 as
operationally and safely as possible (expected to be within
approximately 2000 feet). According to Delfin, the FLNGVs will have the
capability to export LNG to off-taking LNG carriers utilizing a proven
ship-to-ship, side transfer process. Delfin states that the precise
location and spacing of the FLNGVs around the existing WC 167 platform
will depend on further design work, as well as consultation with MARAD
and the Coast Guard.\6\ Delfin states that it has begun consultation
with these agencies concerning the licensing of the new port.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ A basic site plan for the mooring system and other site
depictions are attached to the Application as Appendix D.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delfin states that the Liquefaction Project will be constructed in
four LNG trains. Delfin states that it has entered into a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) with a midstream LNG company to provide at least
the first two FLNGVs. According to Delfin, the focus of the MOU is to
develop fast track, modular, and mid-scale liquefaction solutions of
approximately 2.5 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) per train, based
on existing technology and using completed front-end engineering and
designs. Delfin estimates that, subject to all regulatory approvals, it
will begin operation of the first train in 2017 and the second train in
2018.
Delfin anticipates that the third and fourth LNG trains will be
provided by FLNGVs ordered and constructed for purposes of this
Project. Delfin states that it is engaged in advanced discussions with
a ship-building company and a LNG carrier company concerning these
trains. Delfin anticipates contracting with the ship-builder for the
construction of a new FLNGV(s) for the third and fourth trains. Delfin
states that these two trains will provide liquefaction capacity of 4.0
million mtpa each, bringing the total capacity of the Liquefaction
Project to approximately 13 million mtpa. Delfin anticipates beginning
operation of the third and fourth trains in 2019 and 2021,
respectively.
Current Application
Delfin seeks authorization to export a volume of LNG equivalent to
657.5 Bcf/yr of natural gas (1.8 Bcf/d) from the Liquefaction Project
to non-FTA countries for the requested 20-year term, beginning on the
date of first export or seven years from the date of issuance of the
authorization requested by this Application, whichever is sooner. As
noted above, Delfin states that the export volume requested in this
Application is not additive to the same volume requested in its FTA
application, granted in DOE/FE Order No. 3393.
In light of the planned phased development of the Liquefaction
Project--with successive trains expected to become operational from
2017 through 2021--Delfin requests that the ``date of first export'' be
determined on a train-specific basis. Delfin explains this request as
follows: ``For example, exports from the first train, if placed in
operation in 2017 as planned, would extend for twenty years from that
first export . . . but if the third train were placed in operation in
2020, exports from it also would be authorized for twenty years from
the start of that train's export operations (rather than only
approximately seventeen years, based on the original date of first
export).'' \7\ Delfin notes that the export authorization for all
trains would commence no later than seven years from the date of the
order authorizing exports, consistent with its request above. According
to Delfin, this phased approach, while not previously adopted by DOE/
FE, will facilitate the orderly, phased developments of its facility
and its contracts with customers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ App. at 9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delfin is requesting authorization to export LNG on its own behalf
or as agent for other entities who hold title to the LNG at the time of
export. Delfin states that it will comply with all DOE/FE requirements
for exporters and agents, including registration requirements
articulated in recent DOE/FE orders.
Delfin further states that it intends to export domestically
produced natural gas sourced from both conventional and
[[Page 16784]]
non-conventional production. Delfin anticipates that this gas will be
available from the interstate pipeline grid, and delivered through the
connection to its dedicated, existing pipeline to the new deepwater
port. Delfin states that its connection with the interstate pipeline
system will provide access to abundant, diverse supplies of natural gas
produced from Louisiana and Texas (specifically in the Eagle Ford
Shale) and across the United States.
Delfin states that it is engaged in commercial negotiations with
numerous potential customers. Delfin anticipates that it will contract
some of its capacity--in particular, portions of its first and possibly
second LNG trains--with customers in FTA countries, and expects to
contract other amounts of capacity with customers located in non-FTA
countries. Delfin states that, consistent with DOE/FE precedent, it
will file under seal any relevant long term commercial agreements for
natural gas liquefaction and LNG export services between Delfin and its
customers, once those agreements have been executed.
Delfin further asserts that, as a practical matter, the requested
authorization will not be actionable until MARAD grants Delfin
authorization for the facilities needed for the liquefaction of natural
gas and the export of LNG. According to Delfin, an environmental review
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq., will be completed by MARAD and the Coast Guard, together with the
participation of DOE and other consulting agencies, prior to granting
the requested authorizations. Accordingly, Delfin requests that DOE/FE
issue a conditional authorization in this proceeding, conditioned on
completion of the environmental review by MARAD and the Coast Guard.
Public Interest Considerations
Delfin states that DOE/FE should grant the requested authorization
to allow LNG exports under NGA Sec. 3(a) because the proposed exports
are consistent with, and will advance, the public interest.
According to Delfin, allowing Delfin and its customers to freely
negotiate contracts to respond to market conditions and to utilize the
proposed Liquefaction Project will be consistent with the pro-
competition focus of DOE's 1984 Policy Guidelines for implementing NGA
Sec. 3.\8\ Delfin states that North American gas reserves are more
than adequate to satisfy demand in the United States, even under the
most aggressive demand projections including a large domestic LNG
export industry. Delfin states that its proposed exports could not pose
a threat to domestic gas supply security. Rather, the proposed exports
will provide a steady, incremental demand for natural gas, thereby
supporting natural supply development and producing economic and
employment benefits. Delfin states that other benefits of LNG exports
include reducing the U.S. trade imbalance, complying with the nation's
long-standing support of free-trade, and promoting positive
consequences in international relations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ ``New Policy Guidelines and Delegation Orders Relating to
the Regulation of Natural Gas,'' 49 Fed. Reg. 6684 (Feb. 22, 1984).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delfin also references the recent two-part macroeconomic study
commissioned by DOE to assert that the general benefits of LNG exports
are well known to DOE/FE. Delfin states that the first part of the
study, conducted by the Energy Information Agency (EIA), evaluated the
potential impact of additional LNG exports on domestic energy
consumption, production, and prices under several export scenarios.\9\
Delfin states that the second part of the study, conducted by NERA
Economic Consulting, assessed the potential macroeconomic impact of LNG
exports using NERA's energy-economy model.\10\ According to Delfin,
DOE/FE has held that the NERA study supports the proposition that
proposed exports of LNG are not inconsistent with the public interest.
Delfin further states that NERA's findings--that the United States will
benefit from the export of domestically produced LNG--are confirmed by
numerous other persuasive studies, such as studies published by the
Brookings Institution in June 2012 and by ICF International in May
2013. Citing the extensive evidence of the benefits of LNG exports
presented in these studies, Delfin states that it is incorporating
these studies into the record of this proceeding and is not submitting
any studies of its own.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ U.S. Energy Information Administration, Effect of Increased
Natural Gas Exports on Domestic Energy Markets (Jan. 2012),
available at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/04/f0/fe_eia_lng.pdf [EIA study].
\10\ NERA Economic Consulting, Macroeconomic Impacts of LNG
Exports From the United States (Dec. 3, 2012), available at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/04/f0/nera_lng_report.pdf [NERA
study].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delfin also discusses the unique public interest benefits
associated with its Liquefaction Project. Specifically, Delfin states
that the Project is unique because it will be located off-shore.
According to Delfin, the off-shore location enables it to avoid certain
environmental and land-owner concerns that frequently arise concerning
shore-based facilities. Delfin states that the off-shore location also
avoids seaway congestion by limiting the number of LNG tankers entering
the crowded port terminal system--an issue which it states may be
problematic for some proposed terminals on the Gulf Coast. Delfin notes
that its FLNGVs will be powered and mobile, enabling them to move away
from the mooring location to escape a hurricane or other storm that
could cause interruptions in service from damaged facilities of on-
shore LNG terminals. Delfin further states that its liquefaction trains
on the FLNGVs will be constructed in the controlled environment of a
shipyard, which it maintains will result in improved quality controls
and will promote increased safety in operations. Delfin expects to be
among the most environmentally friendly LNG liquefaction facilities in
the world, burning only natural gas, using air cooling and closed loop
cooling, and using no sea water, for all systems. According to Delfin,
its proposed use of the existing UTOS gas pipeline also avoids the need
for new construction and provides a new use for infrastructure that was
otherwise slated for abandonment. For these and other reasons, Delfin
asserts that the Liquefaction Project will result in economic benefits
to the Louisiana coastal region.
Delfin provides additional discussion in asserting that: (1)
Projected natural gas supplies in the United States are more than
sufficient to support exports, (2) any effect of Delfin's proposed
exports on domestic gas prices would be minor and should help to reduce
price volatility, and (3) LNG exports, such as those proposed by
Delfin, will significantly benefit the United States, both domestically
and with respect to international consequences.
Additional details can be found in Delfin's Application, which is
posted on the DOE/FE Web site at: https://www.fossil.energy.gov/
programs/gasregulation/authorizations/2013_applications/Delfin_LNG_
LLC__-FE._DK.__-13-147-LNG.html.
DOE/FE Evaluation
The Application will be reviewed pursuant to section 3(a) of the
NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a), and DOE will consider any issues required by
law or policy. To the extent determined to be relevant, these issues
will include the domestic need for the natural gas proposed to be
exported, the adequacy of domestic natural gas supply, U.S. energy
security,
[[Page 16785]]
and the cumulative impact of the requested authorization and any other
LNG export application(s) previously approved on domestic natural gas
supply and demand fundamentals. DOE may also consider other factors
bearing on the public interest, including the impact of the proposed
exports on the U.S. economy (including GDP, consumers, and industry),
job creation, the U.S. balance of trade, and international
considerations; and whether the authorization is consistent with DOE's
policy of promoting competition in the marketplace by allowing
commercial parties to freely negotiate their own trade arrangements.
Parties that may oppose this Application should address these issues in
their comments and/or protests, as well as other issues deemed relevant
to the Application.
NEPA requires DOE to give appropriate consideration to the
environmental effects of its decisions. No final decision will be
issued in this proceeding until DOE has met its environmental
responsibilities.
Due to the complexity of the issues raised by the Applicant,
interested persons will be provided 60 days from the date of
publication of this Notice in which to submit comments, protests,
motions to intervene, notices of intervention, or motions for
additional procedures.
Public Comment Procedures
In response to this Notice, any person may file a protest,
comments, or a motion to intervene or notice of intervention, as
applicable. Any person wishing to become a party to the proceeding must
file a motion to intervene or notice of intervention, as applicable.
The filing of comments or a protest with respect to the Application
will not serve to make the commenter or protestant a party to the
proceeding, although protests and comments received from persons who
are not parties will be considered in determining the appropriate
action to be taken on the Application. All protests, comments, motions
to intervene, or notices of intervention must meet the requirements
specified by the regulations in 10 CFR Part 590.
Filings may be submitted using one of the following methods: (1)
Emailing the filing to fergas@hq.doe.gov with FE Docket No. 13-147-LNG
in the title line; (2) mailing an original and three paper copies of
the filing to the Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply at
the address listed in ADDRESSES; or (3) hand delivering an original and
three paper copies of the filing to the Office of Oil and Gas Global
Security and Supply at the address listed in ADDRESSES. All filings
must include a reference to FE Docket No. 13-147-LNG. Please Note: If
submitting a filing via email, please include all related documents and
attachments (e.g., exhibits) in the original email correspondence.
Please do not include any active hyperlinks or password protection in
any of the documents or attachments related to the filing. All
electronic filings submitted to DOE must follow these guidelines to
ensure that all documents are filed in a timely manner. Any hardcopy
filing submitted greater in length than 50 pages must also include, at
the time of the filing, a digital copy on disk of the entire
submission.
A decisional record on the Application will be developed through
responses to this notice by parties, including the parties' written
comments and replies thereto. Additional procedures will be used as
necessary to achieve a complete understanding of the facts and issues.
A party seeking intervention may request that additional procedures be
provided, such as additional written comments, an oral presentation, a
conference, or trial-type hearing. Any request to file additional
written comments should explain why they are necessary. Any request for
an oral presentation should identify the substantial question of fact,
law, or policy at issue, show that it is material and relevant to a
decision in the proceeding, and demonstrate why an oral presentation is
needed. Any request for a conference should demonstrate why the
conference would materially advance the proceeding. Any request for a
trial-type hearing must show that there are factual issues genuinely in
dispute that are relevant and material to a decision, and that a trial-
type hearing is necessary for a full and true disclosure of the facts.
If an additional procedure is scheduled, notice will be provided to
all parties. If no party requests additional procedures, a final
Opinion and Order may be issued based on the official record, including
the Application and responses filed by parties pursuant to this notice,
in accordance with 10 CFR 590.316.
The Application is available for inspection and copying in the
Division of Natural Gas Regulatory Activities docket room, Room 3E-042,
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. The docket room is
open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Application and any filed
protests, motions to intervene or notice of interventions, and comments
will also be available electronically by going to the following DOE/FE
Web address: https://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/gasregulation/.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2014.
John A. Anderson,
Director, Division of Natural Gas Regulatory Activities, Office of Oil
and Gas Global Security and Supply, Office of Oil and Natural Gas.
[FR Doc. 2014-06656 Filed 3-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P