Targa Resources (Houston) said Aug. 8 that its Grand Prix NGL pipeline has commenced full operations, capping a list of significant growth projects. The pipeline, which runs from the Permian Basin in West Texas to Mont Belvieu, is consistently flowing between 150,000 bbld to 170,000 bbld.

“Our Grand Prix pipeline recently commenced deliveries into Mont Belvieu, realizing the long-run strategic goal of integrating our leading gathering and processing position with our premier NGL logistics, fractionation, and export platform,” said Joe Bob Perkins, CEO of Targa Resources. “Grand Prix, combined with our remaining system expansions under way, will drive increasing, largely fee-based, cash flow growth for Targa.”

Perkins added that volumes are expected to rise to about 200,000 bbld in September, then further increase over the balance of 2019 as short-term, third-party transportation arrangements continue to be added and additional gathering and processing facilities come online. Targa noted that as a result of longer than anticipated permitting, coupled with weather-related construction delays, Grand Prix came online about two months behind schedule and costs were about 10% higher than initial estimates two years ago.

Since the end of the first quarter, Targa has completed and started operations at the 250-MMcfd Hopson natural gas processing plant in the Permian-Midland region; the 100,000-bbld Train 6 fractionator at Mont Belvieu; the 20-in.-dia. NGL pipeline from Mont Belvieu to the company’s Galena Park marine terminal; the 200-MMcfd Little Missouri 4 plant in North Dakota; and the 250-MMcfd Pembrook plant in the Permian-Midland.

(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, August 19, 2019)