FERC Report: Gulf South Pipeline Company's Willis Lateral Project Inspection Finds No Noncompliance

A recent FERC report has detailed the inspection findings of the Gulf South Pipeline Company's Willis Lateral Project, a nearly 19-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter lateral pipeline from existing Gulf South pipeline systems to Entergy's one-gigawatt natural gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in Montgomery County, Texas. The report, conducted on May 9, 2022, under the supervision of FERC Project Manager Keith Rodgers and FERC Contractor Hal Mitchell, aimed to determine Gulf South's compliance with environmental conditions set forth in the Commission's July 18, 2019 Order Issuing Certificate for the Project.

The inspection revealed no instances of noncompliance or problem areas, reflecting Gulf South's satisfactory restoration progress and environmentally acceptable conditions. Although some areas along the pipeline were experiencing issues due to landowner activities, Gulf South continues to monitor these regions. Overall, the inspection suggests that the Willis Lateral Project is operating within the FERC's regulatory framework, and no further inspections are required unless requested by the FERC Project Manager.

Key Takeaways:

• No instances of noncompliance or problem areas were identified during the inspection.
• Restoration was progressing satisfactorily, and environmental conditions were acceptable.
• Gulf South will continue to monitor areas impacted by landowner activities.
• The inspection was conducted on May 9, 2022, by FERC Contractor Hal Mitchell, under the supervision of FERC Project Manager Keith Rodgers.
• The Willis Lateral Project involves the construction of a nearly 19-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter lateral pipeline and a new compressor unit and related facilities at the Goodrich Compressor Station.
• The project provides 200,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation service from primary receipt points at Gulf South's existing Perryville Transportation Point and a new receipt point at its Goodrich Compressor Station.

Statistics:

• The Willis Lateral Pipeline is approximately 19 miles long and 24 inches in diameter.
• The project provides 200,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of firm transportation service.
• Three areas along the pipeline were being impacted by landowner activities, with revegetation not being successful in these areas.
• The Goodrich Compressor Station's new compressor unit and related facilities were completed during the inspection.
• Approximately 3.1 inches of precipitation were recorded in the Project area over the two weeks preceding the inspection.
• Temperatures during the inspection ranged from the high-70s to high-80s (degF) in nearby Conroe, Texas.

Sources:

• FERC Report: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Field Inspection Report, dated May 9, 2022, Document Accession #: 20220602-3068, Filed Date: 06/02/2022.