Velocity Midstream Partners LLC has begun construction of a 22-mile long, 12-inch diameter crude oil pipeline extension linking the core of the Merge play to its South-Central Oklahoma Oil Province (SCOOP) pipeline assets, and expects to have it in operation next month. Velocity has completed construction of a 45-mile, 12-inch diameter oil pipeline loop of its existing condensate pipeline through the fairway of the SCOOP, a project that it said is supported by expanded commitments from Continental Resources Inc. and CVR Refining LP. Velocity and CVR entered a joint venture in 2016 to construct a crude oil pipeline and terminal that would link production from the SCOOP to a nearby refinery. Velocity’s system is now comprised of 125 miles of pipeline capable of flowing 250,000 b/d, along with 395,000 bbl of storage and 26 truck unloading bays capable of unloading more than 100,000 b/d.