Midstream - Pipelines | Capital Markets | Private Equity Activity

ETP, Trafigura Partner for Eagle Ford Oil/Condensate Pipeline

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Trafigura AG has signed a pipeline agreement with Energy Transfer Partners for crude oil and condensate transportation capacity.

The 82-mile pipeline system from McMullen County to Corpus Christi will include the conversion of existing Energy Transfer natural gas pipelines to liquids service and have the capacity to transport approximately 100,000 barrels of crude oil and condensate per day. The South Texas pipeline system is expected to be operational in the next nine to 12 months.

Jeff Kopp, Trafigura's Director of Oil for North America, said: "This pipeline combined with our deep-water terminal enables Trafigura to offer a complete solution to producers who seek to take Eagle Ford to the broader market. This is another example of how we are continuing to expand our investment in Corpus Christi to provide producers with the maximum amount of flexibility."

Lee Hanse, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Energy Transfer Partners, commented: "Combining Energy Transfer's pipeline assets with Trafigura's facilities in Corpus Christi is an extremely efficient solution for Eagle Ford shale producers. The repurposing of the existing natural gas pipeline also makes this a very timely solution for the growing supplies of crude oil and condensate in the area. Building upon over USD2 billion of infrastructure that we have already constructed to benefit Eagle Ford shale producers, we are continuing to advance additional gathering opportunities with producers to tie volume into this system, further enhancing logistics in the field."

To complement the existing multi-modal transportation system capabilities of its Corpus Christi terminal, Trafigura is building a second deep-water dock with an overall length of 850 feet and a 45 foot draft which will also be capable of loading an Aframax vessel. This second dock when combined with existing facilities, would allow Trafigura to berth three medium range tankers and two inland barges at the same time. Moreover, the new deep-water dock will result in increased capacity for the terminal and hence higher commercial activity for the Port of Corpus Christi. Construction on the new dock is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2014.