Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPP) said shipper commitments support development of a 270-mile pipeline header system for delivery of ethane to US Gulf Coast petrochemical plants from the company’s storage complex at Mont Belvieu, Tex.

EPP has begun an open commitment period to determine additional interest in the project, which it calls Aegis.

The company said it will determine final design, including capacity and delivery points, after assessing further interest of shippers. The open commitment period ends Apr. 9.

EPP expects Aegis to begin commercial operations next year.