The Regulatory Commission of Alaska issued orders today needed for construction or completion of two pipeline projects: a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the Point Thomson pipeline on the North Slope and an expansion of the service area of the Alaska Pipeline Co., a Semco Energy Inc. subsidiary, on the Kenai Peninsula to include a new pipeline route to Hilcorp Alaska’s Red Pad.
RCA granted a certificate and a construction permit for the pipeline between Point Thomson and Badami on Alaska’s North Slope, granted to PTE Pipeline LLC, an ExxonMobil Pipeline Co. subsidiary.
PTE Pipeline requested RCA to authorize construction of ice roads necessary to build the line, effective Dec. 1, so that construction of the line can begin in early February.
The commission said it was granting the construction permit and requiring the company to file a complete set of construction plans and specifications by Jan. 31, 2013. The company is required to file a complete tariff no later than 90 days before it proposes to begin service.
In a separate action, the commission approved an application filed by Alaska Pipeline Co. to amend its certificate of public convenience and necessity to expand its service area to include a new pipeline route, the Red Pad Pipeline, which is being constructed between Hilcorp Alaska’s Red Pad and Alaska Pipeline’s Anchor Point Pipe Line.
The expansion will allow gas from Red Pad to be made available to the Southcentral Alaska market.
Alaska Pipeline Co. requested expedited consideration of the application and approval by Nov. 30, so that the Red Pad Pipeline can be completed by early December, allowing gas deliveries as early as January.
—Kristen Nelson
See stories in Dec. 9 issue, available at 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at www.PetroleumNews.com
