CINGSA applies for storage authorization

Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska has applied to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for authorization for underground storage of natural gas in the Cannery Loop unit on the Kenai Peninsula.

CINGSA, a joint venture of Semco Energy, the parent company of Southcentral gas utility Enstar Natural Gas Co., and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., proposes to build a gas storage facility, and to have the facility available for use by the summer of 2012 in order to avert forecast deliverability shortfalls in the winter of 2012-13.

The commission has tentatively scheduled a public hearing on the application for Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. at its Anchorage office.

If there are no requests for a hearing, the commission may issue an order without a hearing.

Written comments will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. Oct. 2; if a hearing is held, comments will also be accepted at the hearing.

The commission will determine by Sept. 21 whether a hearing will be held.

CINGSA previously filed with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska for a certificate of convenience and necessity.

—Petroleum News