[OPERATIONAL FLOW ORDER] SOC Declaration - System Wide DRAFT

SEV 4/5Operational AlertUntil further notice

Summary

EPNG has declared a system-wide Strained Operating Condition (SOC) effective August 25, 2026, with duration listed as 'until further notice.' Linepack fell to 7,444 MMcf as of the Gas Day August 25 start -- down 291 MMcf from the prior day -- driven by deliveries in excess of scheduled volumes and supply underperformance in the Permian Basin. In response, EPNG has activated Washington Ranch storage withdrawal, suspended IHSW service, and is denying imbalance payback from the system; customers are required to balance deliveries with scheduled supplies.

Trading note

System-wide SOC with no restoration timeline on EPNG tightens Permian takeaway and pressures linepack; Waha basis, already at -0.870 vs Henry Hub as of 2026-08-24 (5-day average -0.822), faces further bearish pressure as Permian supply backs up, while SoCal Border and Arizona delivery points face reduced supply and bullish basis pressure until the SOC is lifted.

Reroute potential

Moderate: Transwestern Pipeline (TW) serves overlapping SoCal border and Arizona markets and provides a partial alternative for westbound Permian volumes, though available spare TW capacity is unknown and may not fully offset EPNG throughput constraints during an active SOC.

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View original notice text (as posted by El Paso Natural Gas (EPNG))

Pipeline: El Paso Natural Gas (EPNG)
Notice Type: OPERATIONAL FLOW ORDER
Subject: SOC Declaration - System Wide DRAFT
Posted: 08/25/2026 7:10:37AM
Effective: 08/25/2026 7:10:37AM
End Date: 08/26/2026 9:00:00AM

TSP/TSP Name:  8001703-EL PASO NATURAL GAS CO. L.L.C. Critical: Y
Notice Type Desc (1):  OPERATIONAL FLOW ORDER Notice Type Desc (2):  OFO
Notice Eff Date/Time:  08/25/2026 7:10:37AM Notice End Date/Time:  08/26/2026 9:00:00am
Post Date/Time:  8/25/2026 7:10:37 AM Notice ID: 629429
Reqrd Rsp:  1 Rsp Date/Time:  8/25/2026 12:00:00 AM
Notice Stat Desc:  INITIATE Prior Notice: 
Subject:  SOC Declaration - System Wide DRAFT
Notice Text:
STRAINED OPERATING CONDITION (SOC) Declaration - System Wide DRAFT
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:  August 25, 2026
IMBALANCE TOLERANCE: 5%
 
DURATION:  Until Further Notice
 
AFFECTED AREAS/LOCATIONS:  System-wide
 
OPERATING CONDITION SUMMARY:  The EPNG system linepack is currently at 7,444 MMcf which is a decrease of 291 MMcf compared to the start of Gas Day August 24, 2026.  The linepack draft is primarily due to deliveries in excess of scheduled volumes and supply underperformance in the Permian basin.  
CUSTOMER ACTION REQUIRED:  Customers are strongly encouraged to review their transport to ensure that their deliveries are in balance with their supplies and to ensure their scheduled supplies are performing as expected.
 
EPNG RESPONSE:
·         Washington Ranch is on withdrawal.
·         Imbalance payback off the system, such as Payback (Imbalance Payback from TSP), will be denied due to operational concerns related to maintaining adequate linepack.
·         IHSW Service will be suspended.
 
REFERENCE INFORMATION:
 
For scheduling questions, please call your scheduling representative at (800) 238-3764.
 
For operational and capacity questions, please call Russ Pyeatt at (719) 520-3729, Dan English at (719) 520-4722, Morgan McCasland at (719) 520-4339, or John Althoff at (719) 667-7750.
 
For media inquiries, please contact media relations at newsroom@kindermorgan.com.

ID: EPNG-629429 | Rev. 3 | Posted: 2026-08-25 14:18 | Direction: Bearish All El Paso Natural Gas (EPNG) notices · page generated 2026-09-26 06:43 UTC