Enterprise Products Partners LP said Oct. 14 it will proceed with an expansion of its Appalachia-to-Texas (ATEX) ethane pipeline, based on customer commitments received during a recent 30-day binding open season.

The 1,200-mile ATEX pipeline transports ethane from the Marcellus/Utica Basin of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio to Enterprise’s NGL storage complex in Mont Belvieu, Texas.

“The success of the open season reflects the demand for additional, reliable ethane takeaway capacity from the Appalachian region of the country,” said Michael C. Hanley, senior vice president, Pipelines and Terminals for Enterprise’s general partner. “Our customers value flow assurance and reliability. The expansion of ATEX will facilitate growing production from the Marcellus/Utica Basin and will provide access to attractive markets on the Gulf Coast through Enterprise’s integrated midstream network.”

The current capacity of ATEX is approximately 145,000 barrels per day (bbl/d). Enterprise is currently evaluating expansion alternatives that would increase capacity by 45,000 bbl/d. The incremental capacity is expected to be achieved through improvements and modifications to existing infrastructure.

The company anticipates that the incremental capacity will be available by 2022.

Onshore