81 FR 85678 - Deepwater Port License Application: Delfin LNG LLC; Delfin LNG Deepwater Port; Final Application Public Hearing and Final Environmental Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 228 (November 28, 2016)
Maritime Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 228 (November 28, 2016)
| Page Range | 85678-85681 | |
| FR Document | 2016-27297 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 228 (Monday, November 28, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 85678-85681] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-27297] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket No. USCG-2015-0472] Deepwater Port License Application: Delfin LNG LLC; Delfin LNG Deepwater Port; Final Application Public Hearing and Final Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of public hearing; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD), in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), announces: (1) The schedule and locations of public hearings; and (2) the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Delfin LNG, LLC (Delfin LNG) deepwater port license application for the exportation of natural gas. A Notice of Application that summarized the original Delfin LNG deepwater port license application was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2015 (80 FR 42162). A Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Notice of Public Meetings was published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2015 (80 FR 45270). A Notice of Receipt of Amended Application was published in the Federal Register on December 24, 2015 (80 FR 80455). A Notice of Availability (NOA) and Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register July 15, 2016 (81 FR 46157). This NOA incorporates the aforementioned Notices by reference. The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater port would be located in Federal waters within the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) approximately 37.4 to 40.8 nautical miles off the coast of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater port incorporates onshore components, which are subject to FERC jurisdiction. These facilities are described in the section of this Notice titled ``FERC Application.'' Publication of this notice begins a 45-day comment period, requests public participation in the environmental impact review process, provides information on how to participate in the process and announces final public hearings in Cameron, Louisiana and Beaumont, Texas. The Final EIS complies with the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended (33 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1501 et seq.) (DWPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) (NEPA), as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500 to 1508). MARAD and the USCG request public comments on the Final EIS and the application. Pursuant to the criteria provided in the DWPA, both Louisiana and Texas have been designated as Adjacent Coastal States (ACS) for this application. DATES: MARAD and USCG will hold two public hearings in connection with the license application's Final EIS. The first public hearing will be held in Cameron, Louisiana, on December 13, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second public hearing will be held in Beaumont, Texas, on December 14, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Each public hearing will be preceded by an open house from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The public hearing may end later than the stated time, depending on the number of persons who wish to make a comment on the record. Additionally, material you submit in response to the request for comments must reach www.regulations.gov by close of business January 12, 2017, or 45 days after the date of publication of this NOA in the Federal Register, whichever is later. Federal and State agencies must also submit comments, recommended conditions for licensing, or letters of no objection by Friday, January 12, 2017, or 45 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever is later. Also, within 45 days following the final hearing, on or prior to January 30, 2017, the Governor of Louisiana and the Governor of Texas (ACS Governors) may approve, disapprove, or notify MARAD of inconsistencies with State programs relating to environmental protection, land and water use, and coastal zone management for which MARAD may ensure consistency by placing conditions on the license. MARAD must issue a Record of Decision (ROD) to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the deepwater port license application, within 90 days following the final license hearing, on or prior to March 14, 2017. ADDRESSES: The open house and public hearing in Cameron, Louisiana will be held at the Johnson Bayou Community Center, 5556 Gulf Beach Highway, Cameron, LA, 70631; telephone: 337-569-2454. Free parking is available at the Community Center. The open house and public hearing in Beaumont, Texas will be held at the Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza, 3950 Walden Road, Beaumont, Texas 77705; telephone: 409-842-5995. Free parking is available at the Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza. The license application, comments, supporting information and the Final EIS are available for viewing at the Regulations.gov Web site: http://www.regulations.gov under docket number USCG-2015-0472. We encourage you to submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If you submit your comments electronically, it is not necessary to also submit a hard copy. If you cannot submit material using http://www.regulations.gov, please contact either Mr. Roddy Bachman, USCG or Ms. Yvette M. Fields, MARAD, as listed in the following FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. This section provides alternate instructions for submitting written comments. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted. Anonymous comments will be accepted. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. 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]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Request for Comments We request public comments on the Final EIS and the application. We also encourage attendance at the open houses and public hearings; however, the public hearing is not the only opportunity you have to comment. You may submit comments electronically at any time, as described in above in ADDRESSES, to http://www.regulations.gov under docket number USCG-2015-0472. [[Page 85679]] Regardless of the method you use to submit comments or material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to the Federal Docket Operations Facility Web site (http://www.regulations.gov), and will include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy and Use Notice that is available on the http://www.regulations.gov Web site, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) Privacy Act Notice that appeared in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), see PRIVACY ACT. You may view docket submissions at the DOT Docket Operations Facility or electronically at the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. Public Hearing and Open House The open houses, public hearings and docket comments will be used by MARAD to inform the Maritime Administrator's decision making process, including the ROD and any conditions that may be placed on a subsequent license to own, construct and operate a deepwater port. You are invited to learn about the proposed Delfin LNG deepwater port at either of the informational open houses and to comment at the public hearings on the proposed action and the environmental impact analysis contained in the Final EIS. Speakers may register upon arrival and will be recognized in the following order: (1) Elected officials; (2) public agency representatives; then (3) individuals or groups in the order in which they registered. In order to accommodate all speakers, speaker time may be limited, hearing hours may be extended, or both. Speakers' transcribed remarks will be included in the public docket. You may also submit written material for inclusion in the public docket. Written material must include the author's name. We ask attendees to respect the hearing process in order to ensure a constructive information-gathering session. Please do not bring signs or banners inside the hearing venue. The presiding officer will use his/her discretion to conduct the hearing in an orderly manner. Public hearing locations are wheelchair accessible; however, attendees who require special assistance such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation, should notify the USCG (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) at least five (5) business days in advance. Please include contact information as well as information about specific needs. 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. The proposed deepwater port would be located in Federal waters approximately 37.4 to 40.8 nautical miles off the coast of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Louisiana and Texas were designated as ACSs for the Delfin LNG license application. A Notice of Application was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2015 (80 FR 42162). On July 29, 2015, a NOI to Prepare an EIS and Notice of Public Meetings was published in the Federal Register (80 FR 45270). MARAD and USCG hosted two public scoping meetings in connection with the original Delfin LNG deepwater port license application.\1\ The first public scoping meeting was held in Lake Charles, Louisiana on August 18, 2015; the second public scoping meeting was held in Beaumont, Texas on August 19, 2015. Transcripts of the scoping meetings are included in the public docket. After the public scoping meetings concluded, Delfin LNG advised MARAD, the USCG and FERC of its intent to amend the original license application. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission did not have a representative in attendance; however, to the extent any were made, comments related to the construction and operation of the FERC jurisdictional Delfin Onshore Facility were received into the administrative record. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In anticipation of the amended license 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 remained in effect until MARAD and USCG received the amended license application and determined it contained sufficient information to continue the Federal review process. On November 19, 2015, Delfin LNG submitted its amended license application to MARAD and USCG and a Notice of Receipt of Amended Application was published in the Federal Register on December 24, 2015 (80 FR 80455). Working in coordination with participating Federal and State agencies, MARAD and USCG commenced processing the amended license application and completed the Draft EIS. A NOA and Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register July 15, 2016 (81 FR 46157). MARAD and the USCG hosted two Draft EIS public meetings in connection with the Delfin LNG deepwater port license application. The first public meeting was held in Cameron, Louisiana on August 9, 2016; the second public scoping meeting was held in Beaumont, Texas on August 10, 2016. Transcripts of the scoping meetings are included in the public docket under docket number USCG-2015-0472. The Final EIS, application materials and associated comments are currently available for public review at the Federal docket Web site: www.regulations.gov under docket number USCG-2015-0472. Proposed Action and Alternatives USCG and MARAD are co-lead Federal agencies for the preparation of the Final EIS; MARAD is the Federal licensing agency (action agency). The proposed action requiring environmental review is the Federal licensing of the proposed deepwater port described in the ``Summary of the License Application'' below. The alternatives to licensing the proposed port are: (1) Licensing with conditions (including conditions designed to mitigate environmental impact) and (2) denying the application, which, for purposes of environmental review, is the ``no- action'' alternative. These alternatives are more fully discussed in the Final EIS. You can address any questions about the proposed action or the Final EIS to USCG or MARAD project managers identified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Summary of the License Application Delfin LNG has applied for a MARAD-issued license to construct, own, operate and eventually decommission a deepwater port in the Gulf of Mexico to liquefy domestically-sourced natural gas for export. Exports are proposed to both Free Trade Agreement nations and non-Free Trade Agreement nations, in accordance with the Department of Energy export license approvals. The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater port has both onshore and offshore components. The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater port would be located in Federal waters within the OCS West Cameron (WC) Area, West Addition Protraction Area (Gulf of Mexico) approximately 37.4 to 40.8 nautical miles off the coast of Cameron Parish, Louisiana, in water depths ranging from approximately 64 to 72 feet (19.5 to 21.9 meters). The Delfin LNG deepwater port would consist of four semi-permanently moored Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Vessels (FLNGVs) located as follows: No. 1 (29[deg]8'13.1'' N/93[deg]32'2.2'' W), No. 2 (29[deg]6'13.6'' N/93[deg]32'42.4'' W), No. 3 [[Page 85680]] (29[deg]6'40.7'' N/93[deg]30'10.1'' W) and No. 4 (29[deg]4'40.9'' N/ 93[deg]30'51.8'' W) located in WC lease blocks 319, 327, 328 and 334, respectively. The Delfin LNG deepwater port would reuse and repurpose two existing offshore natural gas pipelines; the former U-T Operating System (UTOS) pipeline and the High Island Offshore System (HIOS) pipeline. Four new 30-inch diameter pipeline laterals, each approximately 6,400 feet in length, connecting the HIOS pipeline to each of the FLNGVs, would be constructed. In addition, a 700-foot 42- inch diameter new pipeline would be constructed to bypass a platform at WC lease block 167 (WC 167) and connect the UTOS and HIOS pipelines. Feed gas would be supplied through the new pipeline laterals to each of the FLNGVs where it would be super-cooled to produce LNG. The LNG would be stored onboard the FLNGVs and transferred via ship-to-ship transfer to properly certified LNG tankers. Each of the FLNGVs would be semi- permanently moored to four new weathervaning tower yoke mooring systems (TYMS). The onshore components in Cameron Parish, Louisiana are described specifically in an application originally submitted to FERC (see FERC Application). The onshore components of the Delfin LNG deepwater port would consist of constructing and operating a new natural gas compressor station, gas supply header and a metering station at an existing gas facility. The proposal would require: (1) Reactivation of approximately 1.1 miles of existing 42-inch pipeline, formerly owned by UTOS, which runs from Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company Station No. 44 (Transco Station 44) to the mean highwater mark along the Cameron Parish Coast; (2) installation of 120,000 horsepower of new compression; (3) construction of 0.25 miles of 42-inch pipeline to connect the former UTOS line to the new meter station; and (4) construction of 0.6 miles of twin 30-inch pipelines between Transco Station 44 and the new compressor station. Onshore pipeline quality natural gas from the interstate grid would be sent to the existing, but currently idle, 42-inch UTOS pipeline. The gas transported through the UTOS pipeline would then bypass the existing manifold platform located at WC 167 via a newly installed pipeline segment, 700 feet in length, connecting to the existing 42- inch HIOS pipeline. The bypass of the WC 167 platform would be trenched so that the top of the pipe is a minimum of 3 feet below the seafloor. From the bypass, the feed gas would then be transported further offshore using the HIOS pipeline portion leased by Delfin LNG between WC 167 and High Island A264 OCS lease block. The existing UTOS and HIOS pipelines transect OCS Lease Blocks WC 314, 318, 319, 327 and 335, and would transport feed gas from onshore to offshore (one-directional flow). Delfin LNG proposes to install four new lateral pipelines along the HIOS pipeline, starting approximately 16.0 nautical miles south of the WC 167 platform. Each subsea lateral pipeline would be 30 inches in diameter and approximately 6,400 feet in length, extending from the HIOS pipeline to the Delfin LNG deepwater port. The maximum allowable operating pressure of the pipeline system (UTOS, bypass, HIOS and laterals) would be 1,250 pounds per square inch gauge (psig). The FLNGVs would receive pipeline quality natural gas via the laterals and TYMS, and then, using onboard liquefaction equipment, cool it sufficiently to completely condense the gas and produce LNG. The produced LNG would be stored in International Maritime Organization (IMO) type B, prismatic, independent LNG storage tanks aboard each of the FLNGVs. Each vessel would have a total LNG storage capacity of 210,000 cubic meters (m\3\). An offloading mooring system would be provided on each FLNGV to moor an LNG tanker side-by-side for cargo transfer of LNG through loading arms or cryogenic hoses using ship-to-ship transfer procedures. LNG tankers would be moored with pilot and tug assist. The FLNGVs would be equipped with fenders and quick-release hooks to facilitate mooring and unmooring operations. The offloading system would be capable of accommodating standard LNG tankers with nominal cargo capacities up to 170,000 m\3\. Delfin LNG estimates that the typical LNG cargo transfer operation would be carried out within 24 hours, including LNG tanker berthing, cargo transfer and sail-away. Approximately 31 LNG tankers are expected to visit each of the four FLNGVs per year for a total of up to 124 cargo transfer operations per year. Each LNG tanker would be assisted by up to three tugs during approach and mooring and up to two tugs while departing the Delfin LNG deepwater port. The FLNGVs would be self-propelled vessels and have the ability to disconnect from the TYMS and set sail to avoid hurricanes or to facilitate required inspections, maintenance and repairs. In the nominal design case, based on an estimated availability of 92 percent and allowance for consumption of feed gas during the liquefaction process, each of the four FLNGVs would produce approximately 146 billion standard cubic feet per year (Bscf/y) of gas (approximately 3.0 million metric tonnes per annum [MMtpa]) for export in the form of LNG. Together, the four FLNGVs are designed to have the capability to export 585 Bscf/y of gas (approximately 12.0 MMtpa). As detailed engineering and equipment specification advances during the design process and operating efficiencies are gained post- commissioning, the liquefaction process could perform better than this nominal design case. It is anticipated that LNG output could improve to as much as 657.5 Bscf/y in the optimized design case (approximately 13.2 MMtpa) which is the amount Delfin LNG is requesting authorization to export. The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater port would take a modular implementation approach to allow for early market entry and accommodate market shifts. Offshore construction activities are proposed to begin at the end of the first quarter of 2018 and would be completed in four stages, with each stage corresponding to the commissioning and operation of an FLNGV. The anticipated commissioning of FLNGV 1 is the third quarter of 2019 with start-up of commercial operation of FLNGV 1 by the end of 2019. It is anticipated that FLNGVs 2 through 4 would be commissioned 12 months apart. Following this schedule and barring unforeseen events, the Delfin LNG deepwater port would be completed and all four FLNGVs would be fully operational by the summer of 2022. Should a license be issued, the Delfin LNG deepwater port would be designed, fabricated, constructed, commissioned, maintained, inspected and operated in accordance with applicable codes and standards and with USCG oversight as regulated under Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), subchapter NN-Deepwater Ports (33 CFR 148, 149 and 150). This includes applicable waterways management and regulated navigations areas, maritime safety and security requirements, risk assessment and compliance with domestic and international laws and regulations for vessels that may call at the port. 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 [[Page 85681]] 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 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 High Island Offshore System, LLC submitted an abandonment application with FERC. On June 29, 2015, MARAD and USCG accepted the documentation and deemed the original Delfin LNG license application complete. On November 19, 2015, High Island Offshore System, LLC 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''). Accordingly, 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. Additional information regarding the details of Delfin LNG's original and amended application to FERC is on file and open to public inspection. Project filings may be viewed at the www.ferc.gov Web site 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 In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT/MARAD solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT/MARAD posts these comments, without edit, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice, DOT/ALL-14 FDMS, accessible through www.dot.gov/privacy. In order to facilitate comment tracking and response, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the name of their organization; however, submission of names is completely optional. Whether or not commenters identify themselves, all timely comments will be fully considered. If you wish to provide comments containing proprietary or confidential information, please contact the agency for alternate submission instructions. Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq., 49 CFR 1.93(h). Dated: November 8, 2016. By Order of the Maritime Administrator. T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr., Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. 2016-27297 Filed 11-25-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-81-P
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compliance through its current which are subject to FERC jurisdiction. port license application, within 90 days
oversight procedures either during the These facilities are described in the following the final license hearing, on or
triennial review, state management section of this Notice titled ‘‘FERC prior to March 14, 2017.
review, planning certification review, Application.’’ ADDRESSES: The open house and public
the STIP approval process, and the Publication of this notice begins a 45- hearing in Cameron, Louisiana will be
Section 5307 grant application process. day comment period, requests public held at the Johnson Bayou Community
Given that this policy guidance imposes participation in the environmental Center, 5556 Gulf Beach Highway,
no new requirements, FTA is not impact review process, provides Cameron, LA, 70631; telephone: 337–
requesting public comment. information on how to participate in the 569–2454. Free parking is available at
Carolyn Flowers,
process and announces final public the Community Center. The open house
hearings in Cameron, Louisiana and and public hearing in Beaumont, Texas
Acting Administrator.
Beaumont, Texas. The Final EIS will be held at the Holiday Inn
[FR Doc. 2016–28479 Filed 11–25–16; 8:45 am]
complies with the Deepwater Port Act of Beaumont Plaza, 3950 Walden Road,
BILLING CODE P
1974, as amended (33 United States Beaumont, Texas 77705; telephone:
Code (U.S.C.) 1501 et seq.) (DWPA) and 409–842–5995. Free parking is available
the National Environmental Policy Act at the Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) (NEPA), as The license application, comments,
Maritime Administration implemented by the Council on supporting information and the Final
Environmental Quality regulations (40 EIS are available for viewing at the
[Docket No. USCG–2015–0472] CFR 1500 to 1508). MARAD and the Regulations.gov Web site: http://
USCG request public comments on the www.regulations.gov under docket
Deepwater Port License Application:
Final EIS and the application. number USCG–2015–0472.
Delfin LNG LLC; Delfin LNG Deepwater
Pursuant to the criteria provided in We encourage you to submit
Port; Final Application Public Hearing
the DWPA, both Louisiana and Texas comments electronically through the
and Final Environmental Impact
have been designated as Adjacent Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://
Statement
Coastal States (ACS) for this application. www.regulations.gov. If you submit your
AGENCY: Maritime Administration, U.S. DATES: MARAD and USCG will hold comments electronically, it is not
Department of Transportation. two public hearings in connection with necessary to also submit a hard copy. If
ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of the license application’s Final EIS. The you cannot submit material using http://
public hearing; request for comments. first public hearing will be held in www.regulations.gov, please contact
Cameron, Louisiana, on December 13, either Mr. Roddy Bachman, USCG or
SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration Ms. Yvette M. Fields, MARAD, as listed
2016, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second
(MARAD), in cooperation with the U.S. in the following FOR FURTHER
public hearing will be held in
Coast Guard (USCG) and the Federal INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
Beaumont, Texas, on December 14,
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), document. This section provides
announces: (1) The schedule and 2016, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Each public
hearing will be preceded by an open alternate instructions for submitting
locations of public hearings; and (2) the written comments. Additionally, if you
availability of the Final Environmental house from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The
public hearing may end later than the go to the online docket and sign up for
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Delfin email alerts, you will be notified when
LNG, LLC (Delfin LNG) deepwater port stated time, depending on the number of
persons who wish to make a comment comments are posted. Anonymous
license application for the exportation comments will be accepted. All
of natural gas. on the record. Additionally, material
you submit in response to the request comments received will be posted
A Notice of Application that
for comments must reach without change to http://
summarized the original Delfin LNG
www.regulations.gov by close of www.regulations.gov and will include
deepwater port license application was
business January 12, 2017, or 45 days any personal information you have
published in the Federal Register on
after the date of publication of this NOA provided.
July 16, 2015 (80 FR 42162). A Notice
of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an in the Federal Register, whichever is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) later. Roddy Bachman, USCG, telephone:
and Notice of Public Meetings was Federal and State agencies must also 202–372–1451, email:
published in the Federal Register on submit comments, recommended Roddy.C.Bachman@uscg.mil; or Ms.
July 29, 2015 (80 FR 45270). A Notice conditions for licensing, or letters of no Yvette M. Fields, Director, Office of
of Receipt of Amended Application was objection by Friday, January 12, 2017, or Deepwater Ports and Offshore
published in the Federal Register on 45 days after publication of this notice Activities, MARAD, telephone: 202–
December 24, 2015 (80 FR 80455). A in the Federal Register, whichever is 366–0926, email: Yvette.Fields@dot.gov.
Notice of Availability (NOA) and Notice later. Also, within 45 days following the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
of Public Meetings for the Draft EIS was final hearing, on or prior to January 30,
2017, the Governor of Louisiana and the Request for Comments
published in the Federal Register July
15, 2016 (81 FR 46157). This NOA Governor of Texas (ACS Governors) may We request public comments on the
incorporates the aforementioned Notices approve, disapprove, or notify MARAD Final EIS and the application. We also
by reference. of inconsistencies with State programs encourage attendance at the open
The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater relating to environmental protection, houses and public hearings; however,
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
port would be located in Federal waters land and water use, and coastal zone the public hearing is not the only
within the Outer Continental Shelf management for which MARAD may opportunity you have to comment. You
(OCS) approximately 37.4 to 40.8 ensure consistency by placing may submit comments electronically at
nautical miles off the coast of Cameron conditions on the license. any time, as described in above in
Parish, Louisiana. MARAD must issue a Record of ADDRESSES, to http://
The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater Decision (ROD) to approve, approve www.regulations.gov under docket
port incorporates onshore components, with conditions, or deny the deepwater number USCG–2015–0472.
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(29°6′40.7″ N/93°30′10.1″ W) and No. 4 offshore using the HIOS pipeline gas during the liquefaction process, each
(29°4′40.9″ N/93°30′51.8″ W) located in portion leased by Delfin LNG between of the four FLNGVs would produce
WC lease blocks 319, 327, 328 and 334, WC 167 and High Island A264 OCS approximately 146 billion standard
respectively. The Delfin LNG deepwater lease block. The existing UTOS and cubic feet per year (Bscf/y) of gas
port would reuse and repurpose two HIOS pipelines transect OCS Lease (approximately 3.0 million metric
existing offshore natural gas pipelines; Blocks WC 314, 318, 319, 327 and 335, tonnes per annum [MMtpa]) for export
the former U–T Operating System and would transport feed gas from in the form of LNG. Together, the four
(UTOS) pipeline and the High Island onshore to offshore (one-directional FLNGVs are designed to have the
Offshore System (HIOS) pipeline. Four flow). Delfin LNG proposes to install capability to export 585 Bscf/y of gas
new 30-inch diameter pipeline laterals, four new lateral pipelines along the (approximately 12.0 MMtpa).
each approximately 6,400 feet in length, HIOS pipeline, starting approximately As detailed engineering and
connecting the HIOS pipeline to each of 16.0 nautical miles south of the WC 167 equipment specification advances
the FLNGVs, would be constructed. In platform. Each subsea lateral pipeline during the design process and operating
addition, a 700-foot 42-inch diameter would be 30 inches in diameter and efficiencies are gained post-
new pipeline would be constructed to approximately 6,400 feet in length, commissioning, the liquefaction process
bypass a platform at WC lease block 167 extending from the HIOS pipeline to the could perform better than this nominal
(WC 167) and connect the UTOS and Delfin LNG deepwater port. The design case. It is anticipated that LNG
HIOS pipelines. Feed gas would be maximum allowable operating pressure output could improve to as much as
supplied through the new pipeline of the pipeline system (UTOS, bypass, 657.5 Bscf/y in the optimized design
laterals to each of the FLNGVs where it HIOS and laterals) would be 1,250 case (approximately 13.2 MMtpa) which
would be super-cooled to produce LNG. pounds per square inch gauge (psig). is the amount Delfin LNG is requesting
The LNG would be stored onboard the The FLNGVs would receive pipeline authorization to export.
FLNGVs and transferred via ship-to-ship quality natural gas via the laterals and The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater
transfer to properly certified LNG TYMS, and then, using onboard port would take a modular
tankers. Each of the FLNGVs would be liquefaction equipment, cool it implementation approach to allow for
semi-permanently moored to four new sufficiently to completely condense the early market entry and accommodate
weathervaning tower yoke mooring gas and produce LNG. The produced market shifts. Offshore construction
systems (TYMS). LNG would be stored in International activities are proposed to begin at the
The onshore components in Cameron Maritime Organization (IMO) type B, end of the first quarter of 2018 and
Parish, Louisiana are described prismatic, independent LNG storage would be completed in four stages, with
specifically in an application originally tanks aboard each of the FLNGVs. Each each stage corresponding to the
submitted to FERC (see FERC vessel would have a total LNG storage commissioning and operation of an
Application). The onshore components capacity of 210,000 cubic meters (m3). FLNGV. The anticipated commissioning
of the Delfin LNG deepwater port would An offloading mooring system would of FLNGV 1 is the third quarter of 2019
consist of constructing and operating a be provided on each FLNGV to moor an with start-up of commercial operation of
new natural gas compressor station, gas LNG tanker side-by-side for cargo FLNGV 1 by the end of 2019. It is
supply header and a metering station at transfer of LNG through loading arms or anticipated that FLNGVs 2 through 4
an existing gas facility. The proposal cryogenic hoses using ship-to-ship would be commissioned 12 months
would require: (1) Reactivation of transfer procedures. LNG tankers would apart. Following this schedule and
approximately 1.1 miles of existing 42- be moored with pilot and tug assist. The barring unforeseen events, the Delfin
inch pipeline, formerly owned by FLNGVs would be equipped with LNG deepwater port would be
UTOS, which runs from fenders and quick-release hooks to completed and all four FLNGVs would
Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company facilitate mooring and unmooring be fully operational by the summer of
Station No. 44 (Transco Station 44) to operations. The offloading system 2022.
the mean highwater mark along the would be capable of accommodating Should a license be issued, the Delfin
Cameron Parish Coast; (2) installation of standard LNG tankers with nominal LNG deepwater port would be designed,
120,000 horsepower of new cargo capacities up to 170,000 m3. fabricated, constructed, commissioned,
compression; (3) construction of 0.25 Delfin LNG estimates that the typical maintained, inspected and operated in
miles of 42-inch pipeline to connect the LNG cargo transfer operation would be accordance with applicable codes and
former UTOS line to the new meter carried out within 24 hours, including standards and with USCG oversight as
station; and (4) construction of 0.6 miles LNG tanker berthing, cargo transfer and regulated under Title 33, Code of
of twin 30-inch pipelines between sail-away. Approximately 31 LNG Federal Regulations (CFR), subchapter
Transco Station 44 and the new tankers are expected to visit each of the NN–Deepwater Ports (33 CFR 148, 149
compressor station. four FLNGVs per year for a total of up and 150). This includes applicable
Onshore pipeline quality natural gas to 124 cargo transfer operations per waterways management and regulated
from the interstate grid would be sent to year. Each LNG tanker would be navigations areas, maritime safety and
the existing, but currently idle, 42-inch assisted by up to three tugs during security requirements, risk assessment
UTOS pipeline. The gas transported approach and mooring and up to two and compliance with domestic and
through the UTOS pipeline would then tugs while departing the Delfin LNG international laws and regulations for
bypass the existing manifold platform deepwater port. vessels that may call at the port.
located at WC 167 via a newly installed The FLNGVs would be self-propelled
pipeline segment, 700 feet in length, vessels and have the ability to FERC Application
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
connecting to the existing 42-inch HIOS disconnect from the TYMS and set sail On May 8, 2015, Delfin LNG filed its
pipeline. to avoid hurricanes or to facilitate original application with FERC
The bypass of the WC 167 platform required inspections, maintenance and requesting authorizations pursuant to
would be trenched so that the top of the repairs. the Natural Gas Act and 18 CFR part 157
pipe is a minimum of 3 feet below the In the nominal design case, based on for the onshore components of the
seafloor. From the bypass, the feed gas an estimated availability of 92 percent proposed deepwater port terminal
would then be transported further and allowance for consumption of feed including authorization to use the
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 228 / Monday, November 28, 2016 / Notices 85681
existing pipeline infrastructure, which filings may be viewed at the General Motors, LLC (GM) for use in
includes leasing a segment of pipeline www.ferc.gov Web site using the certain GMT900 vehicles. GM has
from HIOS extending from the terminus ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket petitioned the Agency for a decision
of the UTOS pipeline offshore. On May number excluding the last three digits that, because of differences in inflator
20, 2015, FERC issued its Notice of (i.e., CP15–490) in the docket number design and vehicle integration, the
Application for the onshore components field to access project information. For equipment defect determined to exist by
of Delfin LNG’s deepwater port project assistance, please contact FERC at Takata is inconsequential as it relates to
in Docket No. CP15–490–000. This FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call motor vehicle safety in the GMT900
Notice was published in the Federal toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202) vehicles, and that GM should therefore
Register on May 27, 2015 (80 FR 30226). 502–8659. be relieved of its notification and
Delfin LNG stated in its application that remedy obligations.
High Island Offshore System, LLC Privacy Act
DATES: The closing date for comments is
would submit a separate application In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), September 14, 2017.
with FERC seeking authorization to DOT/MARAD solicits comments from
abandon by lease its facilities to Delfin the public to better inform its ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
LNG. FERC, however, advised Delfin rulemaking process. DOT/MARAD posts invited to submit written data, views,
LNG that it would not begin processing these comments, without edit, to and arguments regarding this petition
Delfin LNG’s application until such www.regulations.gov, as described in for inconsequentiality. Comments must
time that MARAD and USCG deemed the system of records notice, DOT/ALL– refer to the docket and notice number
Delfin LNG’s deepwater port license 14 FDMS, accessible through cited in the title of this notice and be
application complete and High Island www.dot.gov/privacy. In order to submitted by one of the following
Offshore System, LLC submitted an facilitate comment tracking and methods:
abandonment application with FERC. response, we encourage commenters to • Internet: Go to http://
On June 29, 2015, MARAD and USCG provide their name, or the name of their www.regulations.gov and follow the
accepted the documentation and organization; however, submission of online instructions for submitting
deemed the original Delfin LNG license names is completely optional. Whether comments.
application complete. or not commenters identify themselves, • Mail: Docket Management Facility,
On November 19, 2015, High Island all timely comments will be fully M–30, U.S. Department of
Offshore System, LLC filed an considered. If you wish to provide Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
application (FERC Docket No. CP16–20– comments containing proprietary or Avenue SE., West Building, Room W12–
000) to abandon certain offshore confidential information, please contact 140, Washington, DC 20590.
facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, the agency for alternate submission • Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S.
including its 66-mile-long mainline, an instructions. Department of Transportation, 1200
offshore platform and related facilities New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building,
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq., 49 CFR
(‘‘HIOS Repurposed Facilities’’). Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590
1.93(h).
Accordingly, on November 19, 2015, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time,
Delfin LNG filed an amended Dated: November 8, 2016.
Monday through Friday, except Federal
application in FERC Docket No. CP15– By Order of the Maritime Administrator. holidays.
490–001 to use the HIOS Repurposed T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr., • Facsimile: (202) 493–2251.
Facilities and to revise the onshore Secretary, Maritime Administration. You may call the Docket at (202) 366–
component of its deepwater port project. [FR Doc. 2016–27297 Filed 11–25–16; 8:45 am] 9324.
On December 1, 2015, FERC issued a BILLING CODE 4910–81–P
Notice of Application for Delfin LNG’s Note that all comments received will
amendment, which was published in be posted without change to http://
the Federal Register on December 7, www.regulations.gov, including any
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION personal information provided. Thus,
2015 (80 FR 76003).
The amended FERC application National Highway Traffic Safety submitting such information makes it
specifically discusses the onshore Administration public. You may wish to read the
facility and adjustments to the onshore Privacy Act notice, which can be
[Docket No. NHTSA–2016–0124; Notice 1] viewed by clicking on the ‘‘Privacy and
operations that would involve
reactivating approximately 1.1 miles of Security Notice’’ link in the footer of
General Motors LLC, Receipt of http://www.regulations.gov. DOT’s
the existing UTOS pipeline; the Petition for Inconsequentiality and
addition of four new onshore complete Privacy Act Statement is
Decision Granting Request To File Out available for review in the Federal
compressors totaling 120,000 of Time and Request for Deferral of
horsepower of new compression; Register published on April 11, 2000
Determination (65 FR 19477–78).
activation of associated metering and
regulation facilities; the installation of AGENCY: National Highway Traffic The petition, supporting materials,
new supply header pipelines (which Safety Administration (NHTSA), and all comments received before the
would consist of 0.25 miles of new 42- Department of Transportation. close of business on the closing date
inch-diameter pipeline to connect the ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition and indicated above will be filed in the
former UTOS line to the new meter decision granting partial relief. docket and will be considered.
station); and 0.6 miles of new twin 30- Comments and supporting materials
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
inch-diameter pipelines between SUMMARY: On May 16, 2016, TK received after the closing date will also
Transco Station 44 and the new Holdings Inc. (Takata) filed a defect be filed and will be considered to the
compressor station site. information report (DIR), in which it extent possible. When the petition is
Additional information regarding the determined that a defect existed in granted or denied, notice of the decision
details of Delfin LNG’s original and certain passenger-side air bag inflators will also be published in the Federal
amended application to FERC is on file that it manufactured, including Register pursuant to the authority
and open to public inspection. Project passenger inflators that it supplied to indicated at the end of this notice.
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Document Created: 2018-02-14 08:35:50
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 08:35:50
| 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 availability; notice of public hearing; request for comments. | |
| Dates | MARAD and USCG will hold two public hearings in connection with the license application's Final EIS. The first public hearing will be held in Cameron, Louisiana, on December 13, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second public hearing will be held in Beaumont, Texas, on December 14, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Each public hearing will be preceded by an open house from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The public hearing may end later than the stated time, depending on the number of persons who wish to make a comment on the record. Additionally, material you submit in response to the request for comments must reach www.regulations.gov by close of business January 12, 2017, or 45 days after the date of publication of this NOA in the Federal Register, whichever is later. | |
| 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] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 85678 |
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