FIRM STORAGE SERVICE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of this 19 day of March, 1997,
by and between VIRGINIA GAS STORAGE COMPANY, a Virginia corporation,
hereinafter referred to as "VGSC," and Roanoke Gas Company, a Virginia
corporation, hereinafter referred to as "RGC".
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, VGSC has undertaken to provide a firm storage service under the
Utility Services Act of Virginia, in accordance with its Gas Tariff filed
with the State Corporation Commission of Virginia ("SCC"), and under part 284
of the Regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"); and
WHEREAS, RGC has requested storage service on a firm basis pursuant to
Rate Schedule FSS in compliance with Section 3 of VGSC's SCC Gas Tariff; and
WHEREAS, RGC agrees to arrange for transportation of quantities of gas
in order to deliver and receive gas to and from storage.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
QUANTITY OF SERVICE
1.1 Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the SCC
Gas Tariff applicable thereto, RGC has the right to maintain an aggregate
quantity of up to 180,000 dth (the "Maximum Storage Quantity," or "MSQ").
VGCS's obligation to accept gas at the Delivery Points specified on Exhibit A
hereto for injection into storage on any day is limited to the Maximum Daily
Injection Quantity ("MDIQ") specified on Exhibit A hereto. VGSC, at its sole
discretion, may allow injections at rates above the MDIQ on a best efforts,
interruptible basis if such injections can be made without adverse effect
upon injections of other Customers or to VGSC's operations.
1.2 VGSC shall deliver a thermally equivalent quantity of gas to RGC
at the Delivery Points described on Exhibit A hereto. VGSC's obligation to
withdraw gas from storage on any day is limited to the available Maximum
Daily Withdrawal Quantity ("MDWQ") specified on Exhibit A hereto. VGSC, at
its sole discretion, may allow withdrawals at rates higher than the MDWQ on a
best efforts, interruptible basis if such withdrawals can be made without
adverse effect upon withdrawals of other Customers or to VGSC's operations
and such gas is available from RGC's Storage Gas Balance. RGC may withdraw
during the Withdrawal Period any quantity up to the MDWQ.
ARTICLE II
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
2.1 RGC shall pay VGSC $0.05 per each dth injected and $0.05 per each
dth withdrawn. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, RGC will pay VGSC
an annual storage charge ("Annual Storage Charge") which shall be the product
of $1.50 multiplied by the Maximum Storage Quantity, which fee shall be
payable in twelve (12) equal monthly installments.
2.2 VGSC shall reimburse RGC for any injected gas that cannot be
withdrawn for delivery to RGC at Inside FERC index for deliveries into
Tennessee Gas, Zone 1, plus interruptible transportation on Tennessee Gas and
East Tennessee. Any gas not withdrawn at RGC's option shall be carried over
to the following year's storage balance.
2.3 On May 1, 1997 and each May 1 thereafter, VGSC shall pro-rate the
Annual Storage Charge for the year retroactively and prospectively to reflect
any deficiencies in performance in the prior Withdrawal Period as follows:
Adjusted Annual Actual MSQ Actual MDWQ
= ---------- X ----------- X $1.50 X 180,000
Storage Charge Contract MSQ Contract MDWQ
RGC's election to use the storage service at levels below the MSQ and MDWQ
shall not be considered deficiencies in performance.
2.4 RGC shall insure that the gas delivered to VGSC at the Delivery
Points for injection meets the minimum quality specifications of East
Tennessee Natural Gas Company's FERC Tariff. VGSC shall insure that gas
delivered to RGC at the Delivery Points meets the minimum quality
specifications of East Tennessee Natural Gas Company's FERC Tariff.
2.5 The measurement of quantities for billing purposes, in MMBtu,
delivered to or received from VGSC shall be performed by East Tennessee
Natural Gas Company.
ARTICLE III
NOTICES
3.1 Notices hereunder shall be given to the respective party at the
applicable address, telephone number or facsimile machine number stated
below, or such other addresses, telephone numbers or facsimile numbers as the
parties shall respectively hereafter designate in writing from time to time:
Virginia Gas Pipeline Company
X.X. Xxx 0000
000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Telephone Number: (000) 000-0000, extension 17
Facsimile Machine Number: (000) 000-0000
Roanoke Gas Company
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Telephone Number: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile Machine Number: (000) 000-0000
ARTICLE IV
BILLING AND PAYMENT
4.1 On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of each calendar month,
VGSC shall submit to RGC an invoice for services performed during the
preceding month.
4.2 RGC shall pay the amounts invoiced by the twenty-fifth (25th)
day of each month in which said invoice is received by RGC or within ten (10)
days of RGC's receipt of VGSC's invoice.
4.3 Should RGC fail to pay all of the amount of any invoice as herein
provided when such amount is due, RGC shall pay a charge for late payment
which shall be included by VGSC on the next regular monthly invoice rendered
hereunder. Such charge for late payment shall accrue interest at an annual
rate equivalent to the then current Chase Manhattan Bank prime interest rate
plus two percent (2%), but not to exceed the maximum rate permitted by law.
If such failure to pay continues for thirty (30) days after payment is due,
VGSC, in addition to any other remedy it may have, may suspend further
injections and/or withdrawals of gas for RGC's account until such amount is
paid; provided, however, that if RGC, in good faith, disputes the amount of
any such invoice or part thereof and pays to VGSC such amounts as RGC
concedes to be correct, and, at any time thereafter within thirty (30) days
of a demand made by VGSC, furnishes a good and sufficient surety bond in an
amount and with sureties satisfactory to VGSC conditioned upon the payment of
any amounts ultimately found due upon such invoices after a final
determination, which may be reached either by agreement or judgment of the
courts, as the case may be, then VGSC shall not be entitled to suspend
further injections and/or withdrawals of gas unless and until default be made
in the conditions on such bond or there is a subsequent default under the
conditions of this agreement.
4.4 In the event any overcharge and undercharge in any form
whatsoever shall be found within twenty-four (24) months from the date a
billing discrepancy occurs, the appropriate party shall refund the amount of
overcharge or pay the amount of undercharge within thirty (30) days after
the final determination of the amount overcharged or undercharged has been
made. Any overcharge or undercharge found after such twenty-four (24) months
shall be deemed waived by both parties.
4.5 Both parties hereto shall have the right, at any and all
reasonable times, to examine the books and records of the other party to the
extent necessary to verify the accuracy of any statement, charge, computation
or demand made under or pursuant to this Agreement.
4.6 It is expressly understood that VGSC retains a landlord's lien
against the personal property of RGC's stored hereunder for the recovery of
any and all amounts which may become due and payable under this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
TERM
5.1 Subject to the provisions hereof, this Agreement shall become
effective as of the date first written above and shall be in full force and
effect for a primary term through April 30, 2007 (the "Termination Date") and
shall continue and remain in force and effect for successive terms of one (1)
year each hereafter unless and until canceled by either party giving 180 days
written notice to the other party prior to the end of the primary term and
any yearly extension thereof.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNITY
6.1 RGC shall be deemed to have the exclusive control and possession
of the Gas until delivered to VGSC at the Delivery Points and after the Gas
is redelivered to RGC at the Delivery Points pursuant to Sections 1.1 and 1.2
hereof. VGSC shall be deemed to have the exclusive control and possession of
the Gas after it has been delivered to VGSC at the Delivery Points, until
such time as the Gas is redelivered to RGC at the Delivery Points pursuant to
Sections 1.1 and 1.2 hereof.
6.2 The party in control of the Gas will defend, indemnify and hold
the other harmless from and against any and all claims, causes of action or
judgments (including attorney's fees and expenses) in any way arising with
respect to the Gas while in that party's control, and the other shall not be
liable for any part thereof.
ARTICLE VII
FORCE MAJEURE
7.1 Subject to the provisions of this Article VII, no party shall be
liable to the other party for the failure to perform in conformity with this
Agreement to the extent such failure results from an event of Force Majeure
which is beyond the reasonable control of the party affected thereby, which
wholly or partially prevents the supply, transportation, sale, delivery,
injection, storage, withdrawal or redelivery of Gas.
7.2 Events of Force Majeure shall include, by way of illustration,
but not limitation those enumerated in Section 16.2, Original Sheets No. 58
and No. 59 of the Terms and Conditions of VGSC's SCC Gas Tariff.
7.3 Immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of an event of
Force Majeure, the party affected shall give notice thereof to the other
party, describing such event and stating the specific obligations, the
performance of which are, or are expected to be, delayed or prevented, and
(either in the original or in supplemental notices) stating the estimated
period during which performance may be suspended or reduced, including, to
the extent known or ascertainable, the estimated extent of such reduction of
performance. Such notice of an event of Force Majeure is to be first given
by telephone communication, and then shall be confirmed in writing within
five (5) days, given particulars available to the reporting party, and being
supplemented if necessary within twenty (20) days to give full particulars.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the parties mutually
agree that should some cause or event, beyond the control of VGSC, make it
appear to VGSC that a storage area is losing pressure and may no longer be
viable for storage, it may immediately notify RGC (by fax, phone or other
means) and RGC shall immediately start accepting the stored gas in order to
drain the storage area and cut down on the potential loss to VGSC,or VGSC may
otherwise dispose of such gas and pay RGC for the value thereof plus the
value of any gas otherwise lost. Thereafter this Agreement shall be
considered of no further force and effect unless VGSC can reasonably
revitalize and stabilize such storage area to hold gas pressure in which
event VGSC shall give the thirty (30) day notice as provided in Section 3.1
and the Agreement shall thereafter continue in full force and effect.
7.4 The party relying upon an event of Force Majeure shall act
prudently and use all reasonable efforts to eliminate the effects of Force
Majeure as soon as reasonably practicable, provided that the settlement of
strikes and lockouts shall be entirely within the discretion of the party
affected.
7.5 No suspension or reduction of performance by reason of an event
of Force Majeure shall invalidate this Agreement, and upon removal of the
Force Majeure, performance shall resume in this Agreement as soon as
practicable.
ARTICLE VIII
OPERATIONAL FLOW ORDERS
8.1 RGC may be subject to certain operational flow orders ("OFO's")
issued by VGSC: (a) to alleviate conditions that threaten the integrity of
VGSC's system; (b) to maintain pressures necessary to VGSC's operations; (c)
to alleviate operational problems arising from overdeliveries or
underdeliveries by RGC in violation of this Agreement; and (d) to prevent
damage to a storage field.
8.2 Upon the issuance of an OFO, RGC must take the actions set forth
in the OFO, which may include, but are not limited to, reducing its
withdrawals from storage.
ARTICLE IX
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
9.1 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the successors, assigns and legal representatives of the parties hereto.
Either party may freely assign this Agreement to a company with which it is
affiliated or which it controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, or any party succeeding to substantially all the interests of RGC or
VGSC. All other assignments shall be subject to the prior written consent of
the party not assigning, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.
Either party hereto shall have the right to pledge or mortgage its respective
rights hereunder for security of its indebtedness without the prior written
consent of the other party.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the
parties and no waiver by VGSC or RGC of any default of either party under
this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any subsequent default whether of
a like or different character.
10.2 The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall govern the
validity, construction, interpretation, and effect of this Agreement.
10.3 No modification of or supplement to the terms and provisions
hereof shall be or become effective except by execution of a supplementary
written agreement between the parties.
10.4 Exhibit A attached to this Agreement constitutes a part of this
Agreement and is incorporated herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date
first written above by the parties' duly authorized officers.
Attest: ROANOKE GAS COMPANY
ILLEGIBLE By: X.X. Xxxxxxxxxx
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Its: Vice President
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Attest: VIRGINIA GAS STORAGE COMPANY
ILLEGIBLE By: X. Xxxxxxx
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Its: President
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EXHIBIT A
to that certain Gas Storage Agreement dated March 19, 1997 by and between
ROANOKE GAS COMPANY
and
VIRGINIA GAS STORAGE COMPANY
Delivery Points:
1. Saltville receipt/delivery point, Xxxxx County, Virginia. For
injections: ETNG Meter Number 759766; for withdrawals:
ETNG Meter Number 759777.
2. Early Grove receipt/delivery point, Washington County, VA. For
injections: ETNG Meter Number 759147; for withdrawals
ETNG Meter Number 759009.
3. Xxxxxxxxx #2 receipt point, Xxxxxxxxx County, Virginia for
withdrawals only, ETNG Meter Number 759321.
Maximum Daily Injection Quantity, in dth:
----------------------------------------
1,200 Dth
Injection Period runs from on or about April 5 of each year to on or about
October 26 of each year (the "Summer Period"). Injections may be made from
October 27 to April 4 of each year (the "Winter Period") on a best efforts,
interruptible basis with the consent of VGSC.
Maximum Daily Withdrawal Quantity, in dth:
-----------------------------------------
857 Dth from Early Grove delivery point ETNG Meter Number 759009
1,143 Dth from Early Grove, Saltville or Xxxxxxxxx #2 delivery point
ETNG Meter Number 759009
ETNG Meter Number 759777
ETNG Meter Number 759321
Withdrawal Period runs from November 15 through April 15 of each year.
Withdrawals may be made from November 1 to November 15, and from April 16
through April 30 of each year on a best efforts, interruptible basis.
