[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13330-13333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04540]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[FE Docket No. 12-184-LNG]
Pangea LNG (North America) Holdings, 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 25-Year Period
AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of application.
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[[Page 13331]]
SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy
(DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application) filed on
December 19, 2012, by Pangea LNG (North America) Holdings, LLC
(Pangea), requesting long-term, multi-contract authorization to export
domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) in an amount up to
the equivalent of 398.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year (Bcf/y) of
natural gas (equal to 1.09 Bcf/day of natural gas), the equivalent of 8
million metric tons per annum (mtpa), from its proposed South Texas LNG
Export Project (ST LNG Project) located at the Port of Corpus Christi
in Ingleside, Texas. Pangea requests this authorization for a 25-year
term commencing on the earlier of the date of first export or seven
years from the date the requested authorization is granted. The LNG
would be exported to any country (1) with which the United States does
not have a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for
trade in natural gas, (2) that has developed or in the future develops
the capacity to import LNG via ocean-going carrier, and (3) with which
trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy. Pangea is requesting
this authorization to export LNG both on its own behalf and as agent
for other parties who hold title to the LNG at the point of export. The
Application was filed under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA).
Protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, and written
comments are invited.
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, April 29,
2013.
ADDRESSES:
Electronic Filing by email: [email protected].
Regular Mail: U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office of Natural
Gas Regulatory Activities, 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 Natural Gas
Regulatory Activities, Office of Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building,
Room 3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Larine Moore or Marc Talbert, U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office
of Natural Gas Regulatory Activities, Office of Fossil Energy,
Forrestal Building, Room 3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9478; (202) 586-7991.
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
Pangea is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal
place of business in The Woodlands, Texas. Pangea is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Pangea LNG B.V. (Pangea LNG), a Netherlands-based company
that is developing floating LNG liquefaction and storage solutions
around the globe. Pangea LNG's ordinary shares are owned by Daewoo
Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (DSME) (70%), D&H Solutions
AS (20%), and NextDecade International Co[ouml]peratief U.A.
(NextDecade International) (10%).
DSME is a South Korea-based company whose major shareholders
consist of Korea Development Bank (31.27%) and Korea Asset Management
Corporation (19.11%), with the remaining shares being widely-held (with
no individual entities holding five (5) percent or more of DSME's
shares).\1\ D&H Solutions AS is a Norwegian-based joint venture company
that is owned by Hemla II AS (50%) and DSME (50%). NextDecade
International is a Netherlands-based cooperative and has six (6)
individual investors from the United States, Spain, and The
Netherlands.
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\1\ Pangea LNG states that Treasury shares comprise 1.2% of the
total shares of DSME.
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Pangea states that consistent with an executed Letter of Intent, it
is working with Statoil North America, Inc. on the development of the
ST LNG Project. Statoil North America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Statoil
ASA (Statoil), a Norwegian upstream oil and gas company listed on the
Oslo and New York stock exchanges. Pangea states that headquartered in
Stavanger, Norway, Statoil is an international energy company with 40
years of offshore oil and gas production experience on the Norwegian
Continental Shelf and currently has operations in 36 countries. Pangea
states that Statoil's LNG activities include being the operator of the
Sn[oslash]hvit, and LNG export facility in Norway; exercising its
capacity holder rights with respect to the Cove Point import and
regasification terminal (in the U.S.); and producing, transporting and
marketing LNG worldwide. Pangea states that Statoil has been active in
the U.S. oil and gas industry for 25 years. Pangea states that over the
past decade, Statoil has increased its North American business
substantially through upstream positions in the Gulf of Mexico,
acreages in the Marcellus shale gas play, the Eagle Ford shale gas
play, the Bakken shale oil play and oil sands acreages in Alberta,
Canada. Pangea further states that it and Statoil are in active
negotiations with respect to Statoil procuring up to a 50% equity stake
in the ST LNG Project and utilizing up to 50% of the liquefaction and
export capacity of the ST LNG Project.\2\
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\2\ Should a change in control occur prior to DOE/FE's issuance
of an order in this proceeding, Pangea will file a supplement to the
instant Application to update the relevant applicant information.
Pangea acknowledges that in any order granting the authorization
requested in the Application, DOE/FE may require that Pangea request
approval from the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy prior to a
change in control of the authorization holder, whether by asset
sale, stock transfer or other means.
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Current Application
In the instant Application, Pangea seeks long-term, multi-contract
authorization to export domestically produced LNG in an amount up to
the equivalent of 398.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year (Bcf/y) of
natural gas (equal to 1.09 Bcf/day of natural gas), the equivalent of 8
million metric tons per annum (mtpa), for a period of 25 years
beginning on the earlier of the date of first export or seven years
from the date the authorization is granted by DOE/FE. Pangea seeks to
export this LNG to any nation with which the United States does not
have an FTA requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas or
LNG with which trade is not prohibited by United States law or policy.
Pangea is seeking this export authorization in conjunction with its
proposal to construct, own, and operate the ST LNG Project.\3\ Pangea
states that the ST LNG Project will consist of both land-based and
floating components and will include natural gas treatment,
compression, liquefaction and storage
[[Page 13332]]
facilities, as well as ancillary facilities required to receive and
liquefy natural gas, and to store and deliver LNG. Pangea states that
the ST LNG Project will be capable of processing an average of
approximately 398.5 Bcf/y, approximately 1.09 Bcf/d, of pipeline-
quality natural gas. Pangea states that such gas will be delivered to
the ST LNG Project through an approximately 27-mile-long pipeline,
South Texas Pipeline, to be developed by a Pangea affiliate. Pangea
intends to interconnect the ST LNG Project with nine interstate and
intrastate pipeline systems \4\ via the South Texas Pipeline, thereby
allowing natural gas to be supplied through displacement or direct
access from a wide variety of supply sources.
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\3\ Pangea states: (i) Regulatory approval also must be obtained
from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under Section 3
of the NGA for the siting, construction, and operation of the ST LNG
Project and under Section 7 of the NGA for the siting, construction,
and operation of an affiliated natural gas pipeline that will bring
feed gas and fuel gas to the ST LNG Project; (ii) Pangea will
initiate the process to obtain such authorizations in Spring 2013 by
requesting authorization from the Director of the Office of Energy
Projects to commence the FERC's mandatory National Environmental
Policy Act pre-filing review process for the ST LNG Project and
associated pipeline; (iii) the potential environmental impacts of
the ST LNG Project, as well as the affiliated pipeline, will be
reviewed by FERC in conjunction with that proceeding.
\4\ Pangea states these nine pipelines are: Texas Eastern
Transmission Corporation, Kinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline, LLC, Natural
Gas Pipeline Company of America, Transcontinental Gas Pipeline
Corporation, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, Gulf South Pipeline
Company, LP, Crosstex Energy, L.P., GulfTerra Texas Pipeline, LP,
and Channel Industries Gas Company. Their total estimated combined
throughput is approximately 4.4 Bcf/d. The South Texas Pipeline's
actual interconnects and delivery/receipt points ultimately will be
determined in accordance with the needs of the users of the South
Texas Pipeline. Significantly, there are various other natural gas
pipelines crossed by, or in proximity to, the South Texas Pipeline's
proposed route that may provide additional transportation options if
needed.
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Public Interest Considerations
Pangea states that the ST LNG Project has been proposed, in part,
due to the markedly improved outlook for domestic natural gas reserves
and production. Pangea states that improved drilling techniques and
extraction technologies have contributed to the rapid growth in new
supplies from unconventional gas-bearing formations across the U.S. and
have been utilized to enhance production in some conventional fields.
Pangea states that such developments have completely changed the
complexion of the U.S. natural gas industry and radically expanded the
resource base.
Pangea states that LNG exports via the ST LNG Project represents a
market-driven path toward deploying the country's vast energy reserves
in a manner that will meaningfully contribute to the public interest
through a variety of benefits, including: (1) More jobs \5\ and
personal income, greater tax revenues, and increased economic activity;
(2) Improved U.S. balance of payments (by between $3.7 billion and $6
billion annually) through the exportation of natural gas and the
displacement of imports of other petroleum liquids; (3) Enhanced
national security, as a result of the U.S.'s larger role in
international energy markets, assistance provided to our allies, and
reduced U.S. dependency on foreign oil and natural gas production; \6\
(4) Better opportunities to market U.S. products and services abroad,
as a result of new competitively priced gas supplies introduced into
world markets leading to improved economies among the U.S.'s trading
partners; (5) Increased economic trade and closer ties with foreign
trading partners and hemispheric allies, while displacing
environmentally damaging fuels in those countries; (6) Increased
production capacity able to better adjust to varying domestic demand
scenarios; and (7) Dampened volatility in domestic natural gas prices.
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\5\ As discussed in the Perryman Report supporting this
Application, Pangea asserts that the ST LNG Project will spur
substantial job creation. The statement found at page 2 of the NERA
Report (``LNG exports are not likely to affect the overall level of
employment in the U.S.'') should not be read to contradict this.
http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/gasregulation/reports/nera_lng_report.pdf. NERA had as a base assumption ``full employment'' within
the U.S. economy. NERA Report at 103. Therefore, NERA could only use
its model to assess shifts in employment, which were found to be
within industry norms. Id. at 2.
\6\ John Deutch, The U.S. Natural-Gas Boom Will Transform the
World, Wall Street Journal (August 14, 2012), http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303343404577514622469426012.html.
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Pangea submits that these benefits, and others discussed in this
Application, demonstrate that Pangea's export proposal is not
inconsistent with the public interest. Pangea states that this stance
is now buttressed by the independent NERA Report, which key findings
related to the macroeconomic impacts of LNG exports are overwhelmingly
positive.
Further discussion of the public interest and analysis of the
impact of LNG exports is included in the Application and Appendix A of
the Application.
Environmental Impact
Pangea states that it will request NGA Section 3 authorization from
FERC so that it may site, construct, and operate the ST LNG Project.
Pangea states that it intends to commence the FERC's mandatory pre-
filing process in Spring 2013 and then file its final application to
obtain Section 3 authorization in the Fall 2013. Pangea states that its
affiliate developing the ST Pipeline will file an application for NGA
Section 7(c) authorization to construct, own, and operate the South
Texas Pipeline.
Pangea states that the potential environmental impacts of the ST
LNG Project will be reviewed by FERC under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA). Pangea further states that consistent with the NEPA
scheme applicable to applications for authorizations under NGA Section
3 delineated by Congress in the Energy Policy Act of 2005,\7\ it
expects that FERC shall act as the lead agency, with DOE/FE acting as a
cooperating agency, in connection with the ST LNG Project.
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\7\ Public Law 109-58, 119 Stat. 594.
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DOE/FE Evaluation
The Application will be reviewed pursuant to section 3 of the NGA,
as amended, and the authority contained in DOE Delegation Order No. 00-
002.00L (April 29, 2011) and DOE Redelegation Order No. 00-002.04E
(April 29, 2011). In reviewing this LNG export Application, DOE will
consider any issues required by law or policy. To the extent determined
to be relevant or appropriate, these issues will include the impact of
LNG exports associated with this Application, and the cumulative impact
of any other application(s) previously approved, on domestic need for
the gas proposed for export, adequacy of domestic natural gas supply,
U.S. energy security, and any other issues, including the impact on the
U.S. economy (GDP), consumers, and industry, job creation, U.S. balance
of trade, international considerations, and whether the arrangement 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
comment in their responses on these issues, as well as any other issues
deemed relevant to the Application.
NEPA requires DOE to give appropriate consideration to the
environmental effects of its proposed 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 Applicants,
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
[[Page 13333]]
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 [email protected] with FE Docket No. 12-184-LNG
in the title line; (2) mailing an original and three paper copies of
the filing to the Office Natural Gas Regulatory Activities at the
address listed in ADDRESSES. The filing must include a reference to FE
Docket No. 12-184-LNG; or (3) hand delivering an original and three
paper copies of the filing to the Office of Natural Gas Regulatory
Activities at the address listed in ADDRESSES. The filing must include
a reference to FE Docket No. 12-184-LNG.
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 filed by Pangea is available for inspection and
copying in the Office 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: http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/gasregulation/index.html.
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2013.
John A. Anderson,
Manager, Natural Gas Regulatory Activities, Office of Oil and Gas
Global Security and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 2013-04540 Filed 2-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P