Tallgrass Energy, Kinder Morgan Join Forces for Downstream Rockies Crude Oil Transportation
Tallgrass Energy LP and Kinder Morgan Inc. have agreed to jointly develop a solution to increase crude oil takeaway capacity in the Powder River and Denver-Julesburg basins. The companies will also add incremental capacity to the Williston Basin and portions of Western Canada.
Pursuant to the agreement, announced Jan. 22, the proposed venture would include both existing and newly constructed assets. Tallgrass would contribute its Pony Express Pipeline System, and Kinder Morgan would contribute portions of its Wyoming Intrastate Co. and Cheyenne Plains Gas Pipeline and begin the process of abandonment and conversion to crude oil service. In addition, approximately 200 miles of new pipeline would be constructed to provide crude oil deliveries into Cushing, Oklahoma.
In total, the combined pipeline system is expected to be capable of delivering up to 800,000 barrels per day (bpd) of light crude oil and 150,000 bpd of heavy crude oil from points in Wyoming and Colorado to Tallgrass Energy’s and Kinder Morgan’s Deeprock terminal in Cushing. From there, customers will have pipeline connectivity to the Gulf Coast and export markets through Tallgrass Energy’s planned Seahorse Pipeline and other existing or proposed future pipeline projects. The combined project is expected to provide initial service as early as the second half of 2020.
“This combination of assets creates a significant growth opportunity for both companies,” said Tallgrass chief operating officer Bill Moler. “Shippers benefit by gaining access to a pipeline system that can source from multiple basins and access numerous demand markets including existing refinery connections on Pony Express and Tallgrass’ downstream options. Other shipper benefits include a quicker in-service date and the ability to batch a greater variety of common streams.”
“There are a number of competitive advantages to jointly developing this project and leveraging [Kinder Morgan’s] and [Tallgrass Energy’s] existing assets, including the expansion of our Double H Pipeline system,” said Don Lindley, chief commercial officer for products pipelines at Kinder Morgan. “Chief among them is the ability to quickly and efficiently place an additional 550,000 barrels per day of crude transportation takeaway capacity in service from the Rockies, which helps domestic producers and offers near-term relief for Canadian producers.”
Completion of the transaction between Tallgrass and Kinder Morgan remains subject to conditions, including receipt of applicable state and federal regulatory approvals, among other items.
Extension of Pony Express Open Seasons
In conjunction with the execution of the agreement, Tallgrass Energy extended its current Pony Express expansion and joint tariff open season with Seahorse to Feb. 28.
Tags: Denver-Julesburg Basin, Kinder Morgan, Pony Express Pipeline, Powder River Basin, Tallgrass Energy
Comments are closed here.