Christopher E. Smith
OGJ Pipeline Editor
HOUSTON, Mar. 29 -- Enterprise Products Partners LP affiliate Mid-America Pipeline Co. LLC has launched a binding open season to seek shipper support for a proposed expansion of the Rocky Mountain portion of its natural gas liquids pipeline system.
Originating in the Rocky Mountain Overthrust and San Juan basin oil and gas production areas, the 2,793-mile pipeline extends to Enterprise’s Hobbs fractionator in Gaines County, Tex. At Hobbs the Mid-America system links to the Seminole Pipeline, allowing access to the Mont Belveiu, Tex., NGL fractionation complex.
The expansion project can add 45,000-85,000 b/d of incremental capacity to the system, depending on shipper interest, by looping certain pipe sections and upgrading existing pumping stations. Provided there is sufficient shipper commitment, additional capacity could be available as soon as third-quarter 2014.
The Rocky Mountain portion of the Mid-America system currently has a 275,000 b/d capacity.
The open season will run though Apr. 29. Mid-America will notify participating shippers by May 6 whether the expansion project will proceed.
Enterprise began operations at its fourth NGL fractionator at Mont Belvieu at 75,000 b/d in December 2010, increasing nameplate capacity of its facility to 305,000 b/d (OGJ Online, Dec. 20, 2010).
Other companies with fractionation capacity in Mont Belvieu include Targa Resources Partners LP (Cedar Bayou Fractionators LP) and Gulf Coast Fractionators in which Targa is partnered with ConocoPhillips and Devon Energy Corp.
Contact Christopher E. Smith at [email protected].