Further proving that the array of proposed solutions for handling natural gas liquids (NGL) production from the Marcellus Shale is still fluid, recently there was word of another idea, which may or may not become a project.

Enterprise Products Partners LP is reported to be considering the idea of moving 75,000-125,000 b/d of ethane from the Marcellus to its Mont Belvieu, TX, complex, according to a research note from Bentek Energy LLC. The idea would entail using existing portions of the TEPPCO pipeline, which currently carries propane and other NGLs from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast, according to Bentek.

Flow on a portion of the TEPPCO system would be reversed and about 600 miles of new pipeline would be built along existing right-of-way from Weirton, WV, to carry ethane from fractionators in northern West Virginia and southwest Pennsylvania to southern Illinois from where the reversed TEPPCO line would carry product to Beaumont, TX, A new line would carry ethane west from Beaumont to Mont Belvieu.

Last fall Enterprise and TEPPCO Partners LP completed their merger (see Daily GPI, Oct. 27, 2009).

Bentek noted the idea in an addendum to its recent report on the challenge of moving ethane out of the Marcellus and the assortment of projects proposed to do just that (see Daily GPI, Sept. 13). Enterprise cautioned that the scenario described is merely an idea at this point.

“While exploring various alternatives over the past year, Enterprise has not committed to pursuing a particular project in the Marcellus Shale,” Enterprise said. “However, we continue to work with producers in the region to develop potential solutions for meeting their midstream needs. Besides being supported by firm customer agreements, any initiative must fit with our existing assets, and meet specific economic return criteria.”

Meanwhile, Enterprise has announced plans to build out infrastructure to serve production from the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas (see Daily GPI, June 30; April 28).

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