Florida’s Sabal Trail pipeline and associated natural gas pipeline projects begin service

[thackney]

Florida’s Sabal Trail pipeline and associated natural gas pipeline projects begin service
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=31972
JULY 10, 2017



On July 3, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorized Phase I of the Sabal Trail pipeline to begin full operation. Sabal Trail is a 515-mile interstate natural gas pipeline transporting natural gas from an interconnection with the Transco pipeline in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, to the Central Florida Hub in Osceola County, Florida. Sabal Trail is one part of the Southeast Market Pipelines, three pipeline projects designed to increase natural gas transport capacity to Florida.

Much of the additional natural gas expected to flow into Florida will be transported to its power plants. Since the beginning of 2016, Florida has added 3.4 gigawatts (GW) of natural gas-fired electricity generating capacity, which is more than any other state. Another 3.9 GW of natural gas-fired capacity is planned to come online in Florida over the next six years, based on data reported to EIA by project developers.

Increases in Florida’s natural gas capacity have come as older coal- and oil-fired capacity has been retired. Unlike many states that have been building new natural gas generators, Florida is not located near a major source of natural gas production, and Florida’s geology is not conducive to underground natural gas storage. As a result, the natural gas needed to meet increasing demand is transported by pipeline.

Sabal Trail Phase I is designed to have a total capacity of 810 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) and began partial service on June 14, with only two of three Phase I compressor stations operating. The next two phases will increase Sabal Trail’s total capacity to 1,050 MMcf/d. Phase II, when completed in 2020, will add 170 MMcf/d of capacity with the addition of two new compressor stations, and Phase III, scheduled for 2021, will add 70 MMcf/d of capacity through expansions to existing compressor stations.

Two other projects associated with the Southeast Market Pipelines are Transco’s Hillabee Expansion Project and NextEra’s Florida Southeast Connection. Phase I of the Hillabee Expansion added 800 MMcf/d of capacity to the Transco line in Alabama to provide natural gas to Sabal Trail. Phases II and III of the Hillabee Expansion Project will add 200 MMcf/d and 100 MMcf/d of capacity, respectively, in 2020 and 2021.

The Florida Southeast Connection receives natural gas from Sabal Trail at the new Central Florida Hub, where Sabal Trail also connects with the other major pipelines in central Florida in order to increase regional natural gas deliverability. Florida Southeast Connection has the capacity to transport 640 MMcf/d of natural gas to Indiantown in southern Florida.



The Southeast Market Pipelines represent the third major pipeline network delivering natural gas to central Florida. The first network, Florida Gas Transmission, was put in service in 1959 and has been expanded many times since then. The Gulfstream Natural Gas System came into service in 2002. Sabal Trail connects with both of these pipeline systems at or near the Central Florida Hub.

More information about natural gas pipeline projects in the United States is available in EIA’s database of pipeline projects.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

From article:

Unlike many states that have been building new natural gas generators, Florida is not located near a major source of natural gas production, and Florida’s geology is not conducive to underground natural gas storage. As a result, the natural gas needed to meet increasing demand is transported by pipeline.

A self-inflicted wound.  Florida is going the way of California as it indeed is close to natural gas areas, but will not allow that natural gas to be developed or landed onto its shores, so prefers being dependent upon higher-priced energy from other states.  See existing federal moratoria which was endorsed by the state.

Areas Under Moratoria

Area Restricted by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA)

A portion of the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area (CPA) and most of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area (EPA) is under restriction until 2022 as part of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. The area restricted is that portion of EPA within 125 miles of Florida, all areas in the Gulf of Mexico east of the Military Mission Line (86º 41’ west longitude), and the area within the CPA that is within 100 miles of Florida.

The President has withdrawn all marine sanctuaries from future oil and gas leasing activities. On March 31, 2010, the President withdrew Bristol Bay, offshore Alaska, from leasing consideration through June 30, 2017.

In the past, Congress has imposed a restriction on what areas the Bureau could offer for OCS oil and gas leasing. This restriction (also called a moratorium) limited the Bureau’s latitude in spending appropriated funds for pre-lease and leasing activities. Congressional moratoria prohibited future oil and gas leasing but it did not apply to activities on existing leases. These moratoria were enacted annually as part of the Department of the Interior’s appropriations legislation. Currently, no OCS areas are affected by annual moratoria.

I cannot recall whether Zinke is attempting to open this up, but you can bet the state will fight it.

[thackney]

I cannot recall whether Zinke is attempting to open this up, but you can bet the state will fight it.

Trump's executive order on offshore oil drilling sets up clash with Florida
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/trumps-executive-order-on-offshore-oil-drilling-sets-up-clash-with-florida/2322047
April 28, 2017

The "America First Offshore Energy Strategy" could turn back bans in the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans as well as parts of the Gulf of Mexico.

Specifically, the executive order will reverse part of a December effort by President Barack Obama to deem the bulk of U.S.-owned waters in the Arctic Ocean and certain areas in the Atlantic as indefinitely off limits to oil and gas leasing. That also put restrictions on additional oil and gas drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

The order could open to oil and gas exploration areas off Virginia and North and South Carolina, where drilling has been blocked for decades.

Action could be years away, however. The Interior Department will have to conduct a review and industry demand for more oil leases is currently low because of low prices and onshore production....