Enterprise Products Partners LP said Friday that operations at its Pioneer cryogenic gas processing facility in Lincoln County, WY, have been suspended following a release of natural gas and subsequent fire that occurred on March 27. No injuries resulted from the incident, which was restricted to a small area within the plant.

Enterprise reported the incident to the appropriate government authorities and personnel on the scene worked closely with emergency responders to secure the site. Crews on Friday were in the process of determining the extent of the damage and have begun an investigation into the cause of the incident.

Based on preliminary findings, Enterprise expects the facility to resume service in approximately two to three weeks. In the meantime, all gas volumes are being diverted to the partnership’s adjacent silica gel gas processing plant.

Prior to the incident, the Pioneer cryogenic facility was processing about 550 MMcf/d and extracting approximately 26,000 b/d of natural gas liquids. Enterprise does not expect the service interruption to materially affect the partnership’s gross operating margin or net income for 2008.

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