Unocal still not out of TAPS ownership

Unocal Pipeline Co. has informed the Regulatory Commission of Alaska that it is still not in a position of file an application for transfer of its operating authority in the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, and has requested that it be allowed to submit compliance filings every six months, rather than every 90 days.

Unocal Pipeline applied for temporary suspension of its service on the line in June 2012, telling the commission the suspension was temporary, “pending the finalization of the sale of its ownership interest.”

Unocal’s interest is 1.36 percent, the smallest in the line. RCA had approved sale of the other small interest, that of Koch Alaska Pipeline Co., to the major owners - BP Pipelines (Alaska) Inc., Exxon Mobil Pipeline Co. and ConocoPhillips Transportation Alaska Inc. - earlier in 2012.

In a Feb. 16 order the commission accepted Unocal’s proposal to file every six months, with the next filing - or an application to transfer its operating authority - due Sept. 1.

Unocal has told the commission that it and the other carriers have a dispute “over several transfer-related matters,” portions of which are in arbitration and portions in litigation.

“The litigation has been time-consuming and is likely to continue for a significant period of time. Unocal is evaluating all its options regarding how best to proceed with these matters,” the company said.

- Petroleum News