Four natgas pipelines shut due to Hurricane Ike-DOE

09.10.08, 2:18 PM ET

WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (Reuters) - TheU.S. Energy Department said on Wednesday that four natural gas pipelines have declared force majeure and shut-in their systems in preparation for Hurricane Ike.

The four shut systems are Enbridge(nyse: ENB - news - people ) UTOS, Stingray Pipeline Co, Garden Banks Gas Pipeline and Manta Ray Gathering, the department said.

The force majeure clause in a contract allows a pipeline company to legally avoid its gas delivery obligations because of reasons beyond its control, such as adverse weather.

'Natural gas producers, pipeline and processing plant operators are closely monitoring Hurricane Ike and some facilities are taking advanced precaution to shut-in and shut down operations,' the department said.

There were no reports as of Wednesday morning of natural gas processing plants along the Gulf Coast shutting down due to Ike, the department said.

In the wake of Hurricane Gustav, 14 gas processing plants are now operating at reduced levels and 10 plants are back to normal, the department said.

There are four gas plants still shut, including one facility closed due to scheduled maintenance.

(Reporting by Tom Doggett) Keywords: IKE PIPELINES/SHUT

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