80 FR 80455 - Deepwater Port License Application: Delfin LNG LLC, Delfin LNG Deepwater Port
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 247 (December 24, 2015)
Maritime Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 247 (December 24, 2015)
| Page Range | 80455-80456 | |
| FR Document | 2015-32349 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 80455-80456] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-32349] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket No. USCG-2015-0472] Deepwater Port License Application: Delfin LNG LLC, Delfin LNG Deepwater Port AGENCY: Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice of Receipt of Amended Application; Request for Comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD), in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), announces the receipt and availability of the amended deepwater port license application submitted by Delfin LNG LLC (Delfin LNG) on November 19, 2015 (amended application). The purpose of this Federal Register Notice is to explain the changes between the original application and the amended application and seek public comments regarding the amended application. Please note, MARAD and USCG have determined that this Federal Register Notice is sufficient for satisfying National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for public scoping and seeking public comment on an agency action. As such, no public scoping meetings are planned to be held for the Delfin LNG amended application. A Notice of Application that summarized the original Delfin LNG license application was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2015 (80 FR 42162). A Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Notice of Public Meetings was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 (80 FR 45270). This Notice incorporates the aforementioned Notices by reference and highlights changes to the proposed Delfin LNG project made since the original application was deemed complete. The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater port incorporates onshore components, which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). These facilities are described in the section of this notice titled ``FERC Application.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roddy Bachman, USCG, telephone: 202-372-1451, email: [email protected], or Ms. Yvette M. Fields, Director, Office of Deepwater Ports and Offshore Activities, MARAD, telephone: 202-366-0926, email: [email protected]. For questions regarding viewing the Federal docket, call Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Request for Comments We request public comments on the amended application for the proposed deepwater port. You can submit comments directly to the Docket Operations Facility during the public comment period from publication date of this Notice until Tuesday, January 19, 2016. We will consider all comments and materials received during the public comment period. Public comment submissions must be unbound, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches and suitable for copying and electronic scanning. Please include the docket number (USCG-2015-0472) and your name and address on any correspondence. Submit comments or material using only one of the following methods:Online: Go to www.regulations.gov and search docket number ``USCG-2015-0472.'' Follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Hand Delivery or Courier: Bring comments to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251. While not required, it is preferred that comments be submitted electronically, which facilitates use of computer software to sort, organize and search the comments. If you submit your comments electronically, it is not necessary to also submit a hard copy. Background On May 8, 2015, as supplemented on June 19, 2015, MARAD and USCG received an application from Delfin LNG for all Federal authorizations required for a license to own, construct, and operate a deepwater port for the export of natural gas. On Thursday, July 16, 2015, a Notice of Application was published in the Federal Register (80 FR 42162) advising the public of the completed original application. Louisiana and Texas were designated as adjacent coastal States (ACS) for the original application. Two public scoping meetings were held in connection with the original Delfin LNG application. The first public scoping meeting was held in Lake Charles, Louisiana on August 18, 2015, and the second public scoping meeting was held in Beaumont, Texas on August 19, 2015. After the public scoping meetings concluded, Delfin LNG advised MARAD and USCG of its intent to amend the original application. In anticipation of the amended application, MARAD and USCG issued a regulatory ``stop-clock'' letter to Delfin LNG on September 18, 2015. That letter commenced a regulatory ``stop-clock,'' effective September 18, 2015, which would remain in effect until MARAD and USCG received the amended application and determined it contained sufficient information to continue the Federal review process. On November 19, 2015, Delfin LNG submitted its amended application to MARAD and USCG. Working in coordination with participating Federal and State agencies, we will commence processing the amended application and complete a Draft EIS which analyzes reasonable alternatives to, and the direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts of, the proposed action. When the Draft EIS is complete and ready for public review, a Notice of Availability will be published in the Federal Register. The Notice of Availability will provide for a public comment period that includes public meetings in Louisiana and Texas. The amended application is currently available for public review at the Federal docket Web site: www.regulations.gov under docket number USCG-2015- 0472. Summary of the Amended Application The specific project changes from the original Delfin LNG application are: 1) the liquefaction capacity of the four proposed FLNGVs that would service the proposed Delfin deepwater port is increased from a base design capacity of two million metric tons per annum [[Page 80456]] (MMtpa) each (approximately 97 billion standard cubic feet per year [Bscf/y]) to three MMtpa each (approximately 146 Bscf/y), and 2) construction of new-build FLNGV hulls instead of converting existing tank vessels. In sum, the four FLNGVs will be designed to have the capability to produce approximately 12.0 MMtpa of LNG for export (approximately 585 Bscf/y), and as much as 13.2 MMtpa in the optimized design case, (approximately 657.5 Bscf/y). Each FLNGV would have a total LNG storage capacity of 210,000 cubic meters (m\3\), an increase from the original application's 165,000 m\3\. The amended application also provides for increased natural gas compression horsepower requirements at the onshore facility. These are described in the section of this Federal Register Notice entitled ``FERC Application.'' Other fundamental aspects of the proposed Delfin LNG project remain unchanged, including Port Delfin's location nearly 40 nautical miles offshore of Louisiana, the reuse and repurpose of two existing offshore pipelines, installation of new pipeline laterals leading to each tower yoke mooring system (TYMS), construction of a pipeline bypass around an existing platform at WC 167, and use of air cooling technology for the natural gas liquefaction process. FERC Application On May 8, 2015, Delfin LNG filed its original application with FERC requesting authorizations pursuant to the Natural Gas Act and 18 CFR part 157 for the onshore components of the proposed deepwater port terminal including authorization to use the existing pipeline infrastructure, which includes leasing a segment of pipeline from HIOS extending from the terminus of the UTOS pipeline offshore. On May 20, 2015, FERC issued its Notice of Application for the onshore components of Delfin LNG's deepwater port project in Docket No. CP15-490-000. This Notice was published in the Federal Register on May 27, 2015 (80 FR 30226). Delfin LNG stated in its application that High Island Offshore System, LLC (HIOS) would submit a separate application with FERC seeking authorization to abandon by lease its facilities to Delfin LNG. FERC, however, advised Delfin LNG that it would not begin processing Delfin LNG's application until such time that MARAD and USCG deemed Delfin LNG's deepwater port license application complete and HIOS submitted an abandonment application with FERC. On June 29, 2015, MARAD and USCG accepted the documentation and deemed the original Delfin application complete. On November 19, 2015, HIOS filed an application (FERC Docket No. CP16-20-000) to abandon certain offshore facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, including its 66-mile-long mainline, an offshore platform, and related facilities (``HIOS Repurposed Facilities''). Also, on November 19, 2015, Delfin LNG filed an amended application in FERC Docket No. CP15-490-001 to use the HIOS Repurposed Facilities and to revise the onshore component of its deepwater port project. On December 1, 2015, FERC issued a Notice of Application for Delfin LNG's amendment, which was published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2015 (80 FR 76003). The amended FERC application specifically discusses the onshore facility and adjustments to the onshore operations that would involve reactivating approximately 1.1 miles of the existing UTOS pipeline; the addition of four new onshore compressors totaling 120,000 horsepower of new compression; activation of associated metering and regulation facilities; the installation of new supply header pipelines (which would consist of 0.25 miles of new 42-inch-diameter pipeline to connect the former UTOS line to the new meter station) and 0.6 miles of new twin 30-inch-diameter pipelines between Transco Station 44 and the new compressor station site. The original FERC application consisted of three new onshore compressors totaling 74,000 horsepower. Additional information regarding the details of Delfin LNG's original and amended application to the FERC is on file and open to public inspection. Project filings may be viewed on the web at www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary'' link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP15-490) in the docket number field to access project information. For assistance, please contact FERC at [email protected] or call toll-free, (886) 208-3676 or TYY, (202) 502-8659. Privacy Act Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information to the docket makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy and Security Notice, as well as the User Notice, that is available on the www.regulations.gov Web site and the Department of Transportation Privacy Act Notice that appeared in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), see Privacy Act. You may view docket submissions in person at the Docket Operations Facility or electronically on the www.regulations.gov Web site. (Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1501, et seq., 49 CFR 1.93(h)). Dated: December 18, 2015. By Order of the Maritime Administrator. T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr., Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. 2015-32349 Filed 12-23-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-81-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / Notices 80455
associated documentation are available The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater Background
for viewing at the Federal Docket port incorporates onshore components, On May 8, 2015, as supplemented on
Management System (FDMS) Web site: which are subject to the jurisdiction of June 19, 2015, MARAD and USCG
http://www.regulations.gov under the Federal Energy Regulatory received an application from Delfin
docket number USCG–2013–0363. Commission (FERC). These facilities are LNG for all Federal authorizations
(Authority: 49 CFR 1.93) described in the section of this notice required for a license to own, construct,
* * * titled ‘‘FERC Application.’’ and operate a deepwater port for the
Dated: December 18, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. export of natural gas. On Thursday, July
By Order of the Maritime Administrator. Roddy Bachman, USCG, telephone: 16, 2015, a Notice of Application was
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr., 202–372–1451, email: published in the Federal Register (80
Roddy.C.Bachman@uscg.mil, or Ms. FR 42162) advising the public of the
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
Yvette M. Fields, Director, Office of completed original application.
[FR Doc. 2015–32348 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am]
Deepwater Ports and Offshore Louisiana and Texas were designated as
BILLING CODE 4910–81–P adjacent coastal States (ACS) for the
Activities, MARAD, telephone: 202–
366–0926, email: Yvette.Fields@dot.gov. original application.
For questions regarding viewing the Two public scoping meetings were
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION held in connection with the original
Federal docket, call Docket Operations,
Maritime Administration telephone 202–366–9826. Delfin LNG application. The first public
scoping meeting was held in Lake
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Charles, Louisiana on August 18, 2015,
[Docket No. USCG–2015–0472]
Request for Comments and the second public scoping meeting
Deepwater Port License Application: was held in Beaumont, Texas on August
We request public comments on the 19, 2015. After the public scoping
Delfin LNG LLC, Delfin LNG Deepwater amended application for the proposed
Port meetings concluded, Delfin LNG
deepwater port. You can submit advised MARAD and USCG of its intent
AGENCY: Maritime Administration, U.S. comments directly to the Docket to amend the original application.
Department of Transportation. Operations Facility during the public In anticipation of the amended
comment period from publication date application, MARAD and USCG issued
ACTION: Notice of Receipt of Amended
of this Notice until Tuesday, January 19, a regulatory ‘‘stop-clock’’ letter to Delfin
Application; Request for Comments.
2016. We will consider all comments LNG on September 18, 2015. That letter
SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration and materials received during the public commenced a regulatory ‘‘stop-clock,’’
(MARAD), in cooperation with the U.S. comment period. Public comment effective September 18, 2015, which
Coast Guard (USCG), announces the submissions must be unbound, no larger would remain in effect until MARAD
receipt and availability of the amended than 81⁄2 by 11 inches and suitable for and USCG received the amended
deepwater port license application copying and electronic scanning. Please application and determined it contained
submitted by Delfin LNG LLC (Delfin include the docket number (USCG– sufficient information to continue the
LNG) on November 19, 2015 (amended 2015–0472) and your name and address Federal review process. On November
application). The purpose of this on any correspondence. 19, 2015, Delfin LNG submitted its
Federal Register Notice is to explain the Submit comments or material using amended application to MARAD and
changes between the original only one of the following methods: USCG.
application and the amended • Online: Go to www.regulations.gov Working in coordination with
application and seek public comments and search docket number ‘‘USCG– participating Federal and State agencies,
regarding the amended application. 2015–0472.’’ Follow the online we will commence processing the
Please note, MARAD and USCG have instructions for sending your comments amended application and complete a
determined that this Federal Register electronically. Draft EIS which analyzes reasonable
Notice is sufficient for satisfying • Mail: Send comments to Docket alternatives to, and the direct, indirect
National Environmental Policy Act Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of and cumulative environmental impacts
(NEPA) requirements for public scoping Transportation, 1200 New Jersey of, the proposed action. When the Draft
and seeking public comment on an Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West EIS is complete and ready for public
agency action. As such, no public Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC review, a Notice of Availability will be
scoping meetings are planned to be held 20590–0001. published in the Federal Register. The
for the Delfin LNG amended Notice of Availability will provide for a
application. • Hand Delivery or Courier: Bring
public comment period that includes
A Notice of Application that comments to Docket Operations in
public meetings in Louisiana and Texas.
summarized the original Delfin LNG Room W12–140 of the West Building
The amended application is currently
license application was published in the Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
available for public review at the
Federal Register on July 16, 2015 (80 FR Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between
Federal docket Web site:
42162). A Notice of Intent to Prepare an 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday
www.regulations.gov under docket
Environmental Impact Statement and through Friday, except Federal holidays.
number USCG–2015–0472.
Notice of Public Meetings was • Fax: Fax comments to Docket
Operations at 202–493–2251. Summary of the Amended Application
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
published in the Federal Register on
Wednesday, July 29, 2015 (80 FR While not required, it is preferred that The specific project changes from the
45270). This Notice incorporates the comments be submitted electronically, original Delfin LNG application are: 1)
aforementioned Notices by reference which facilitates use of computer the liquefaction capacity of the four
and highlights changes to the proposed software to sort, organize and search the proposed FLNGVs that would service
Delfin LNG project made since the comments. If you submit your the proposed Delfin deepwater port is
original application was deemed comments electronically, it is not increased from a base design capacity of
complete. necessary to also submit a hard copy. two million metric tons per annum
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![80456 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / Notices
(MMtpa) each (approximately 97 billion and USCG accepted the documentation Department of Transportation Privacy
standard cubic feet per year [Bscf/y]) to and deemed the original Delfin Act Notice that appeared in the Federal
three MMtpa each (approximately 146 application complete. Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
Bscf/y), and 2) construction of new- On November 19, 2015, HIOS filed an 19477), see Privacy Act. You may view
build FLNGV hulls instead of application (FERC Docket No. CP16–20– docket submissions in person at the
converting existing tank vessels. In sum, 000) to abandon certain offshore Docket Operations Facility or
the four FLNGVs will be designed to facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, electronically on the
have the capability to produce including its 66-mile-long mainline, an www.regulations.gov Web site.
approximately 12.0 MMtpa of LNG for offshore platform, and related facilities (Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1501, et seq., 49 CFR
export (approximately 585 Bscf/y), and (‘‘HIOS Repurposed Facilities’’). Also, 1.93(h)).
as much as 13.2 MMtpa in the on November 19, 2015, Delfin LNG filed
Dated: December 18, 2015.
optimized design case, (approximately an amended application in FERC Docket
No. CP15–490–001 to use the HIOS By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
657.5 Bscf/y). Each FLNGV would have
a total LNG storage capacity of 210,000 Repurposed Facilities and to revise the T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
cubic meters (m3), an increase from the onshore component of its deepwater Secretary, Maritime Administration.
original application’s 165,000 m3. port project. On December 1, 2015, [FR Doc. 2015–32349 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am]
The amended application also FERC issued a Notice of Application for BILLING CODE 4910–81–P
provides for increased natural gas Delfin LNG’s amendment, which was
compression horsepower requirements published in the Federal Register on
at the onshore facility. These are December 7, 2015 (80 FR 76003). DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
described in the section of this Federal The amended FERC application
Register Notice entitled ‘‘FERC specifically discusses the onshore Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Application.’’ facility and adjustments to the onshore Safety Administration
Other fundamental aspects of the operations that would involve [Docket ID PHMSA–2015–0213]
proposed Delfin LNG project remain reactivating approximately 1.1 miles of
unchanged, including Port Delfin’s the existing UTOS pipeline; the Pipeline Safety: Random Drug Testing
location nearly 40 nautical miles addition of four new onshore Rate; Contractor Management
offshore of Louisiana, the reuse and compressors totaling 120,000 Information System Reporting; and
repurpose of two existing offshore horsepower of new compression; Obtaining Drug and Alcohol
pipelines, installation of new pipeline activation of associated metering and Management Information System Sign-
laterals leading to each tower yoke regulation facilities; the installation of In Information
mooring system (TYMS), construction of new supply header pipelines (which
a pipeline bypass around an existing would consist of 0.25 miles of new 42- AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous
platform at WC 167, and use of air inch-diameter pipeline to connect the Materials Safety Administration
cooling technology for the natural gas former UTOS line to the new meter (PHMSA), DOT.
liquefaction process. station) and 0.6 miles of new twin 30- ACTION: Notice of Calendar Year 2016
inch-diameter pipelines between Minimum Annual Percentage Rate for
FERC Application Random Drug Testing; Reminder for
Transco Station 44 and the new
On May 8, 2015, Delfin LNG filed its compressor station site. The original Operators to Report Contractor
original application with FERC FERC application consisted of three new Management Information System (MIS)
requesting authorizations pursuant to onshore compressors totaling 74,000 Data; and Reminder of Method for
the Natural Gas Act and 18 CFR part 157 horsepower. Operators to Obtain User Name and
for the onshore components of the Additional information regarding the Password for Electronic Reporting.
proposed deepwater port terminal details of Delfin LNG’s original and
including authorization to use the SUMMARY: PHMSA has determined that
amended application to the FERC is on the minimum random drug testing rate
existing pipeline infrastructure, which file and open to public inspection.
includes leasing a segment of pipeline for covered employees will remain at 25
Project filings may be viewed on the percent during calendar year 2016.
from HIOS extending from the terminus web at www.ferc.gov using the
of the UTOS pipeline offshore. On May Operators are reminded that drug and
‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket alcohol testing information must be
20, 2015, FERC issued its Notice of number excluding the last three digits
Application for the onshore components submitted for contractors performing or
(i.e., CP15–490) in the docket number ready to perform covered functions. For
of Delfin LNG’s deepwater port project field to access project information. For
in Docket No. CP15–490–000. This calendar year 2015 reporting, PHMSA
assistance, please contact FERC at will not attempt to mail the ‘‘user
Notice was published in the Federal FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
Register on May 27, 2015 (80 FR 30226). name’’ and ‘‘password’’ for the Drug and
toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202) Alcohol Management Information
Delfin LNG stated in its application that 502–8659.
High Island Offshore System, LLC System (DAMIS) to operators, but will
(HIOS) would submit a separate Privacy Act make the user name and password
application with FERC seeking Regardless of the method used for available in the PHMSA Portal (https://
authorization to abandon by lease its submitting comments or material, all portal.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline).
facilities to Delfin LNG. FERC, however, submissions will be posted, without DATES: Effective January 1, 2016,
through December 31, 2016.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
advised Delfin LNG that it would not change, to www.regulations.gov and will
begin processing Delfin LNG’s include any personal information you FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
application until such time that provide. Therefore, submitting this Blaine Keener, Director of Safety Data
MARAD and USCG deemed Delfin information to the docket makes it Systems and Analysis, by telephone at
LNG’s deepwater port license public. You may wish to read the 202–366–0970 or by email at
application complete and HIOS Privacy and Security Notice, as well as blaine.keener@dot.gov.
submitted an abandonment application the User Notice, that is available on the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
with FERC. On June 29, 2015, MARAD www.regulations.gov Web site and the
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Document Created: 2015-12-24 02:24:46
Document Modified: 2015-12-24 02:24:46
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Receipt of Amended Application; Request for Comments. | |
| Contact | Mr. Roddy Bachman, USCG, telephone: 202-372-1451, email: [email protected], or Ms. Yvette M. Fields, Director, Office of Deepwater Ports and Offshore Activities, MARAD, telephone: 202-366-0926, email: [email protected] For questions regarding viewing the Federal docket, call Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 80455 |
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