Frequently Asked Questions

For Panhandle Eastern, Trunkline Gas, Sea Robin Pipeline
and Trunkline LNG

Pool Balancing/AutoPark FAQ

Q: How do I check to see if my pool is out of balance?
A: The Messenger System assigns a unique code for every pool or TABS Location. All pool or TABS Service Requesters are encouraged to check their Location imbalances via the Confirmation screen under the Nominations menu. Markets purchasing gas at the pool or TABS Location appear as receipts, with the Service Requestor Name, contract number and volume. Supply into the pool or TABS appears as the delivery volume. If the total at the bottom of the screen is zero, the pool is in balance. A positive total means that the market volume exceeds supply, while a negative total indicates excess supply into the pool. All Service Requesters are encouraged to check the Confirmation screen soon after the nomination deadlines. The Maintain Location Pre-Confirmations tab reflects the pool status for the upcoming cycle.

Q: How do I rank my supply?
A: Supply can be ranked on the pooling contract using the Nomination Matrix screen. Ranks should be entered in the Rec Rank field.

Q: How do I rank my markets?
A: Poolers are encouraged to rank the markets nominating out of their pools. Rankings can be performed for a future flow date via the Pre-determined Allocation screen under the Flowing Gas option of the Messenger menu.

Q: How will I be notified of reductions that happen as a result of pool balancing?
A: Any reductions will be reflected in the confirmed quantity volumes on the Nomination Matrix screen. In addition, any pool balancing reduction will result in an email with the subject “Service Requestor Pool Balancing Reduction Notification” to both the primary and secondary email address of the Nomination contact on the pooling contract, as well as all other contacts at the company who are set up to receive bump emails. This report lists the nomination that was reduced as well as any AutoPark activity.

Q: What are the advantages of having an AutoPark contract?
A: The AutoPark service balances the pool and keeps the supply and market nominations whole. Pools with excess supply result in a park position, while excess market volumes create an unpark position. The AutoPark service protects a pooler’s markets as well as its supply and helps reduce the risk of reductions due to nomination errors.

Q: Do I nominate an AutoPark transaction?
A: AutoPark transactions are the result of the pool balancing process. A pooler wanting to either park or unpark should leave his pool out of balance. The Messenger System will automatically create a park nomination when supply exceeds market or an unpark nomination when market exceeds supply.

Q: How do I elect to participate in the AutoPark service?
A: A pooler can elect to participate in the AutoPark service by checking the Participate? box next to its AutoPark contract under Flowing Gas >>Auto Pool Balancing>> AutoPark Service Election. Once checked, the election to participate in the AutoPark service is effective until the check is removed. This screen also indicates whether the pipeline is allowing imbalance payback.

Q: How do I get an AutoPark contract? What are the requirements?
A: Once a Service Requestor has been approved for a pool or TABS contract, there are no additional requirements for an AutoPark contract. The Service Requester just has to request and execute a Gas Parking Service (GPS) contract for AutoPark.

Q: Where do I find the rates for Autopark transactions?
A: AutoPark rates can be found on the pipeline’s Informational Postings site under Non-critical Notices. There is an in/out charge per dekatherm on the day of the transaction as well a per dekatherm daily charge on the outstanding balance.

Q: Are there limits on imbalance payback on my AutoPark contract and how do I nominate this payback?
A: Imbalance payback is subject to pipeline operating conditions. If payback is being allowed, the pool balancing process will accept up to 1000 dth or a volume equal to the contract imbalance divided by the number of days remaining in the month. A nomination must be entered in the Messenger System for the payback.

Q: Where can I find my Autopark activity and balance?
A: There are several options. On the Messenger menu, select Flowing Gas>>Imbalance>>View Daily Contract Balance and input your AutoPark GPS contract number to review the GPS balance. In addition, every evening the GPS Ledger Balance Report is emailed to both the primary and secondary email address of the Nomination contact on the GPS contract. The report contains both the daily activity as well as the cumulative balance on the AutoPark contract.

Q: What is the difference between PBAL and AUTOPK?
A: For Panhandle, PBAL is the location code for imbalance transactions and AUTOPK is the location code indicating system-generated park/unpark transactions. Both are results of the pool balancing process. On Trunkline, instead of AUTOPK, there is one Location per zone – AUTOEL, AUTOWL, AUTONT, AUTOST, AUTO1A and AUTO1B.

Q: How do I move gas between TABS zones on Trunkline?
A: In order to move gas from one TABS zone to another, a nomination and transportation must occur. Bounce points (i.e. BTW01) are set up in Messenger to be used in this type of nomination. Please contact your sales or optimization representative for rate and contract information if you do not have a current transportation contract. Applicable zone fuel rates apply.