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Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of proposed construction and operation of Gill Ranch Gas Storage Project (the Project). Applications for this Project were submitted to the CPUC on July 29, 2008 (Application 08-07-032 and Application 08-07-033). This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA review process.
Background
Introduction
Gill Ranch Storage, LLC (GRS) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) (Applicants) have filed applications with the CPUC to construct and operate the Project. The CPUC is the CEQA lead agency for the Project.
Project Elements
The Project, as proposed by GRS and PG&E, would include the provision of additional natural gas storage capacity to help meet the energy needs of California customers, as called for by statewide natural gas policies and goals calling for reliable, efficient, and cost–effective provision of natural gas services. Additionally, there is a strong market demand for additional gas storage in California. The Project consists of several key components:
- The 20 billion cubic feet (Bcf) Gill Ranch Gas Storage Field (Storage Field)
- Gas injection and withdrawal (IW) wells, observation/monitoring (OM) wells, and salt-water disposal well
- Compressor station
- An approximately 27-mile, 30-inch diameter natural gas pipeline
- A 9.75-mile 115-kV transmission line
- Electric substation
Project Objectives
The GRS and PG&E have stated a number of objectives for the proposed Project. The objectives are:
- Provide highly flexible economic natural gas storage services to a variety of customers, which could include gas utilities, electric utilities, independent electric generators, gas marketers, gas producers, industrial gas users, and other wholesale and retail gas customers
- Provide natural gas storage services using reservoirs with geologic characteristics suitable for conversion to multiple turn and high deliverability storage
- Diversify the location of natural gas storage facilities in California by providing centrally-located natural gas storage capacity in the southern San Joaquin Valley
- Provide natural gas storage services in a geographic area with less intensive present land use, and with land use projected to be less intensive over the long-term
- Provide natural gas storage services at a location with reasonable access to PG&E’s existing gas and electric facilities, and make use of existing transportation and utility corridors
- Create additional natural gas storage capacity in California in order to enhance natural gas supply reliability
- Aid in mitigating volatility of natural gas prices
Location
Storage Field, Wells, and Compressor
The Storage Field (including the IW wells, OM wells, salt water disposal well, and the compressor station) is located primarily in western Madera County; a portion of the field crosses under the San Joaquin River into Fresno County. Figure 1.1-1 shows the Project location. The town of Firebaugh, California is located approximately 8 miles southeast of the field. Figure 3.1-1 provides an overview of the location of the Project facilities and the proposed Project routes.
Pipeline
An approximate 27-mile, 30-inch diameter gas transmission pipeline would be constructed between PG&E’s existing line 401 near Interstate 5 (I-5) and the compressor site, which would be located near the center of the Storage Field reservoirs. Approximately 25 miles of pipeline would be located in Fresno County, and approximately 2 miles would be located in Madera County. The pipeline would pass approximately 2 miles south of the town of Mendota.
Transmission Line
An approximately 9.75-mile electric power line would be constructed between PG&E’s existing Dairyland-Mendota 115-kV power line on Avenue 7½ and the Storage Field central compressor station site. The power line would be entirely in Madera County. The proposed power line corridor would begin at a point on Avenue 7½ located approximately 5 miles east of the town of Firebaugh; run westerly on Avenue 7 ½ and Avenue 7; turn southerly along the Chowchilla Canal Road; span the canal; and, continue easterly along Avenue 3 between Chowchilla Canal and the central compressor station. The new power line would be located within established utility corridors.
Substation
A new electric substation would be located at the compressor station in Madera County.
Schedule
If the Project is approved, the Applicants intend to begin construction during the summer of 2009 and complete construction during the summer of 2010. The intent is to have the Project begin operation in time to meet the traditionally higher fall and winter demand for natural gas.
Project Description
Storage Field
The proposed Project would utilize depleted reservoirs in an existing natural gas production field, the Gill Ranch Gas Field (Gas Field), located approximately 20 miles west of Fresno, near the town of Mendota. The Project is designed for 20 Bcf of working gas and 650 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd) of peak deliverability.
The Gas Field was discovered in 1942, and production began in 1943 from the Domengine/Kreyenhagen formations. Production from the Starkey Formation began in 1957, and ceased in 1996. Minor gas production continues from two wells completed in the Kreyenhagen and Moreno formations.
The Gas Field consists of several geologically separate reservoirs. The First and Second sands of the Starkey Formation lie at depths of 5,700 to 6,300 feet below ground surface, and contain the depleted reservoirs that are proposed to be developed for storage.
The total acreage for surface facilities within the Storage Field (including compressor station and IW wells, OM wells, salt-water disposal well, and compressor station) would be approximately 22 acres (including 10 acres for the central compression facility, and approximately 12 acres for the well pads). Each IW well pad would measure 300 feet by 250 feet (approximately 1.7 acres) for a total of 6.8 acres. Each OM well pad would measure 150 feet by 200 feet (0.7 acres) for a total of 4.8 acres Figure 1.1-1 shows the proposed Storage Field facility sites.
Wells and Pipelines
The Project would include new high deliverability IW wells, wellhead surface facilities, and gathering pipelines from each well pad. Up to 15 new IW wells would be drilled in three separate reservoirs. Existing well sites would be used to the extent practical. It is expected that only one Project-related well would be located in Fresno County.
In addition, up to seven new OM wells would be drilled into the storage formations, outside of the active working gas portion of the reservoirs. One salt-water disposal well would be constructed to properly dispose of water from the IW wells during withdrawal operations.
Central Compressor and Operating Facility
The operating facility and compressor would be located near the center of the Project area. The facilities would be located on a 10-acre site and include:
- Control room
- Approximately 45,000 brake horsepower (BHP) compressor station
- Gas dehydration and processing equipment
- Flow and pressure equipment
- Metering
- Communication equipment
- Maintenance facility
The central compressors would be driven by electric motors and designed to provide the Project requirements. The substation and salt water disposal well would be located in this area.
Gas Pipeline
An approximate 27-mile, 30-inch diameter gas transmission pipeline would be constructed between PG&E’s existing Line 401 near Interstate 5 and the proposed compressor station site. The pipeline would be designed to transport up to 650 MMSCFD.
The easement for the pipeline typically would be 95 feet, with a permanent post-construction easement of 50 feet, and a temporary construction easement of 45 feet. The pipeline would be buried at a depth of 5 feet from the top of the pipe. The pipeline would be constructed under the San Joaquin River and the California Aqueduct using horizontal directional drilling techniques. The area disturbed would be approximately 150 acres.
Gill Ranch would have 75% ownership of the pipeline, and PG&E would have 25% ownership of the pipeline.
Transmission Line
An approximately 9.75-mile electric power line would be constructed between PG&E’s existing Dairyland-Mendota 115-kV power line on Avenue 7½ and the Storage Field central compressor station site. Approximately 4.3 miles of the new power line would be installed by replacing old poles with new wood poles in existing PG&E electric distribution line corridors. The existing wood poles are 40 to 50 feet above ground and would be replaced with similar single and wider circuit wood poles that would be 60 to 70 feet above ground.
No power lines or electric distribution lines currently exist along approximately 1 mile of the proposed power line route along Avenue 7½. PG&E would construct the new wood pole power line in public road rights-of-way where PG&E currently has a franchise authorizing it to operate; however, there may be a necessity to acquire additional land rights, pending final engineering. The amount of land disturbance required for the transmission line has not yet been determined. PG&E would own and operate the transmission line.
Substation
An electric substation would be constructed at the compressor station. The substation would reduce the voltage of the electricity from the 115-kV transmission line for use at the compressor station, dehydration facility, and other locations. The substation would have two transformer bays fed from two connections (taps) to the transmission line. The substation is designed to allow expansion without requiring additional upgrades to the substation.
The substation yard would be approximately 120 feet by 200 feet (approximately 0.55 acres) on the existing road. The substation would be secured by a 9-foot chain link fence with razor wire on top. PG&E would own and operate the substation.
Existing Land Uses
The Project areas within Madera County are designated Agriculture Exclusive in the Madera County General Plan. This designation provides for agricultural uses, limited agricultural support service uses, agriculturally oriented services, timber production, mineral extraction, airstrips public and commercial refuse disposal sites, recreational uses, public and quasi-public uses, and similar and compatible uses.
The Project areas within Fresno County are designated Agriculture in the Fresno County General Plan, except within the Mendota Wildlife Area, which is designated as Open Space. This area will be avoided by the Project. The agricultural designation provides for a variety of agricultural activities, and certain nonagricultural activities are allowed with a special permit.
Storage Field
The approximately 5,020-acre Storage Field area is within an established gas field, the Gill Ranch Gas Field. Limited gas production occurs at the gas field today.
Properties within the proposed 5,020-acre Project area over the Storage Field are in active agricultural production (row crops, orchard, and vineyard). Existing gas-well pads and related facilities are located throughout the Storage Field. A prefabricated steel farm building was recently erected near the center of the Storage Field. There is one occupied residence in the Storage Field, located near the south bank of the San Joaquin River in the southeastern portion of the Storage Field. Nine parcels would be involved in the Storage Field facilities. The San Joaquin River passes through the southeastern portion of the Storage Field.
Gas Pipeline
Land uses along the pipeline corridor are primarily agriculture or agricultural processing facilities. Other land uses along the pipeline corridor include the Mendota Wildlife Management Area and the Alkali Sink Ecological Reserve. The pipeline would avoid construction in both of these areas.
The pipeline alignment would cross under several surface water features, including the California Aqueduct, Fresno Slough, and the San Joaquin River. Agricultural ponds, canals, and irrigation ditches are also located at several locations on or near the alignment.
Electric Transmission Line
The land uses surrounding the electric transmission line route are primarily used for agricultural production. There are no residences or commercial uses along the power line route. The new power line connecting the compression facility to the Dairyland-Mendota 115-kV power line would be located within established corridors that already contain PG&E facilities (electric distribution line corridors) and roadways. Approximately 1 mile of new power line will be constructed along county roads where there are currently no electric distribution facilities.
Application and Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (PEA)
The application and PEA for the Gill Ranch Gas Storage Project may be viewed here.
Other Documents Available
The First PEA deficiency letter was mailed by the CPUC on September 25, 2008 and can be viewed here.
The Second deficiency letter was mailed by the CPUC on October 24, 2008 and can be viewed here.
Application deemed complete on November 7, 2008. Letter can be viewed here.
Environmental Review
The CPUC has determined that an IS/MND will be the appropriate CEQA document to be prepared for this project. The Draft IS/MND will be distributed for public review. A final document will then be published before the CPUC makes a decision on the proposed Project. Each of these documents will be available on this web site as they become available.
For Additional Information
The CPUC, through its Environmental
Review Team, managed environmental
review of the project. To request additional information or to be added to the mailing list, please contact us by email, fax, or phone, as follows:
Project email: gillranch@rmtinc.com
Project fax number: (650) 373-1211
Project voicemail: (650) 340-4880
The CPUC’s Project Manager is:
Eric Chiang, CPUC Project Manager
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco CA 94102
Tel (415) 703-1956
Fax (415) 703-2200
Email: eyc@cpuc.ca.gov
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