New Gas Pipeline Coming to the Permian Basin

• Marathon Petroleum Corp.’s MPLX LP master limited partnership reported that the proposed Whistler Pipeline from the Permian Basin in West Texas to the state’s Coastal Bend region will be built.
• The announcement follows a favorable final investment decision by MPLX, WhiteWater Midstream, and a Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners/West Texas Gas, Inc. (WTG) joint venture to design and construct the pipeline.
• MPLX noted the majority of available capacity on the 475-mile-long pipeline has been subscribed and committed by long-term transportation agreements. Also, the firm predicted that the remaining capacity will be fully subscribed in the coming months.

“The decision to move forward with this project after securing sufficient commitments from shippers demonstrates our disciplined approach to investing,” MPLX President Michael J. Hennigan said in a written statement. “Whistler is expected to provide reliable residue gas transportation out of the Permian Basin, which is vital to our growing gas processing position and producers in the region.”

MPLX stated that Whistler is being designed to carry approximately 2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of gas through 42-inch-diameter pipe from Waha, Texas, to the Agua Dulce area in South Texas. Both Waha and Agua Dulce are gas pricing hubs. Multiple upstream connections in the Permian Basin, including direct links to Midland Basin plants and WhiteWater’s Agua Blanca Pipeline, will supply Whistler, MPLX added.

The Permian Basin is one of the largest oil fields in the world. In addition to pumping out millions of barrels of oil each year, the region also produces a significant amount of associated natural gas. In 2018, the Permian contributed 11% of America’s total gas output at 10 Bcf/d. There’s plenty more gas on the way as the region’s production is on track to more than double by 2025, according to one forecast.

Pending regulatory and other approvals, project developers expect Whistler to begin service during the third quarter of 2021.

To keep up on pipeline related news, check the Submar blog regularly, where we’ll keep you up to date.