[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 27, 2026, due to linepack falling to 7,530 MMcf following a 105 MMcf draw on Gas Day August 26, driven by deliveries exceeding scheduled volumes. The SOC is in effect until further notice, with EPNG suspending IHSW service, denying imbalance paybacks, and placing Washington Ranch storage on withdrawal. Customers are required to balance deliveries to scheduled supplies immediately.

Trading note

System-wide EPNG SOC with no stated restoration timeline tightens Permian/San Juan takeaway capacity; Waha basis, already at -1.050 on 2026-08-26 (trailing 5-day average -0.880 vs Henry Hub), faces additional bearish pressure from potential scheduling curtailments, while SoCal Border and Arizona delivery points face bullish pressure from reduced westbound throughput reliability -- monitor for escalation to OFO or firm curtailments.

Reroute potential

Moderate: Transwestern Pipeline (TW) serves overlapping SoCal border and Arizona markets and provides a partial alternative for westbound Permian flows; however, a simultaneous TW constraint would eliminate California reroute options entirely.

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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: 08/27/2026 7:22:50AM
Effective: 08/27/2026 7:22:50AM
End Date: 08/28/2026 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:  08/27/2026 7:22:50AM Notice End Date/Time:  08/28/2026 9:00:00am
Post Date/Time:  8/27/2026 7:22:50 AM Notice ID: 629459
Reqrd Rsp:  1 Rsp Date/Time:  8/27/2026 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 27, 2026
IMBALANCE TOLERANCE: 5%
 
DURATION:  Until Further Notice
 
AFFECTED AREAS/LOCATIONS:  System-wide
 
OPERATING CONDITION SUMMARY:  The EPNG system linepack is currently at 7,530 MMcf which is a decrease of 105 MMcf compared to the start of Gas Day August 26, 2026.  The linepack draft is primarily due to deliveries in excess of scheduled volumes.  
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-629459 | Rev. 1 | Posted: 2026-08-27 12:48 | Direction: Bullish All El Paso Natural Gas (EPNG) notices · page generated 2026-09-26 06:43 UTC