31-10-2013

Texas express pipeline begins operations

Enterprise Products Partners L.P, Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and DCP Midstream Partners LP today announced the start of service on the Texas Express natural gas liquids pipeline from Skellytown, Texas to the NGL fractionation and storage complex in Mont Belvieu, Texas. The Texas Express Pipeline, operated by Enterprise, gives producers in West and Central Texas, the Rocky Mountains, southern Oklahoma, the Mid-continent and the Denver-Julesburg basin much-needed takeaway capacity for growing NGL volumes and improved access to the largest NGL trading hub, located along the Gulf Coast. 

NGL volumes from the Rockies, Permian Basin and Mid-continent regions will be transported to the Texas Express mainline through Enterprise’s Mid-America Pipeline system between the Conway hub and its Hobbs facility in Gaines County, Texas. NGL volumes from the Denver-Julesburg Basin will be transported to the Texas Express mainline by the Front Range Pipeline (owned by a joint venture comprised of Enterprise, Anadarko and DCP Midstream Partners, each with a one-third interest), which is under construction and expected to be in-service in the first quarter of 2014. 

Supported by long-term contracts, the 583-mile pipeline has an initial capacity of approximately 280,000 barrels per day (“BPD”) and can be readily expanded to approximately 400,000 BPD. By providing greater access to domestic NGLs, Texas Express will help ensure reliable supplies of natural gas-derived feedstocks which offer a cost advantage compared to crude oil-based derivatives. 

Enterprise and Enbridge Energy Partners each hold a 35 percent interest in Texas Express Pipeline LLC, with Anadarko having a 20 percent ownership interest and DCP Midstream Partners owning the remaining 10 percent stake.

In addition to the start of operations on the pipeline, service has also begun on two NGL gathering systems developed by Texas Express Gathering LLC, a second joint venture comprised of Enterprise (45 percent ownership), Enbridge Energy Partners (35 percent ownership) and Anadarko (20 percent ownership). Enbridge Energy Partners serves as operator of the two gathering systems, which link natural gas processing plants in the Anadarko/Granite Wash and Central Texas/Barnett Shale production areas to the Texas Express Pipeline.