Enterprise seeks interest for ethane pipeline to move Marcellus/Utica shale ethane to US Gulf

13-Oct-11

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. launched an open commitment season for a proposed ethane pipeline running from the Marcellus and Utica shale deposits to Mont Belvieu, Texas, as per Reuters. The pipeline is planned to ship ethane from shale deposits in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio to the Texas ethane hub, where it would have direct or indirect access to every ethylene plant in the United States. To be approximately 1230 mile (1980 km), the pipeline is expected to begin commercial operation in Q1-2014. It would have an initial capacity of 125,000 bpd, but could be expanded to meet increased demand. The binding commitment period runs from Tuesday through November 10, 2011. The project would include new and existing infrastructure, including reversing an existing 16 inch diameter TE Products Pipeline that runs from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to the Gulf Coast region. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is a provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals.