The Lone Star West Texas Gateway NGL (natural gas liquids) Pipeline has entered service, transporting NGLs from the Permian and Delaware basins in West Texas to Mont Belvieu, TX, project partners Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP) and Regency Energy Partners LP said Tuesday.

The 570-mile, 16-inch diameter pipeline owned by Lone Star NGL LLC was originally scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2013 (see Shale Daily, June 23, 2011). The pipeline runs from Winkler County in West Texas to ETP’s Jackson County processing plant in Jackson County, TX, and has an initial capacity of 209,000 b/d with the potential for expansion.

“The West Texas Gateway is critical in supporting the rapid increase in the production of natural gas liquids in the Permian Basin and Delaware Basin as well as throughout the Eagle Ford Shale, where additional NGL takeaway capacity is in high demand,” said Steve Spaulding, executive vice president of Lone Star NGL. “Furthermore, we believe there will be additional need for more NGL services in the near future and our West Texas Gateway Pipeline strategically positions us to quickly and efficiently leverage expansion opportunities.”

ETP said its 130-mile Justice NGL Pipeline, extending from the Jackson County processing facility to Mont Belvieu, is also in service. Lone Star has secured capacity on Justice pipeline for ultimate delivery of NGLs to Lone Star’s storage and fractionation facilities at Mont Belvieu. Lone Star’s previously announced Fractionator I is scheduled to be completed this year, and Fractionator II in the fourth quarter of 2013.