Valero to double capacity of gathering system

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 22 -- Valero Energy Corp. reported plans to double the capacity of its existing North Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle area crude oil gathering system in order to accommodate increased crude production.

The pipeline system expansion project, which is scheduled to be completed by this year’s fourth quarter, will increase the amount of oil available to be processed at the the company’s 170,000 b/d McKee refinery in the Texas Panhandle.

The project will involve looping existing pipeline from Valero’s storage facility in Perryton, Tex., additional pump stations, and storage facilities. Valero expects the project to be completed quickly since most of the infrastructure and right-of-way is already in place.