Sunoco Logistics Partners LP said it has received enough binding commitments to enable Permian Express Phase I, a project to transport West Texas crude oil to Gulf Coast markets, to proceed. The binding open season continues and will close on Sept. 6. Permian Express Phase I would provide continuous pipeline service from Wichita Falls, TX, to Nederland/Beaumont, TX, markets. At Wichita Falls, a connection from Basin Pipeline would be provided. Due to the use of existing assets, the capacity to transport 90,000 b/d to Nederland/Beaumont is to be operational in the first quarter of 2013 (see Shale Daily, June 22).

AltaGas Ltd. commissioned its 50 MMcf/d Blair Creek facility expansion, which will provide processing capacity to producers developing the liquids-rich Montney Shale. Expansion volumes represent a 5% increase in gas processing throughput. The Montney resource area in northeast British Columbia is one of the largest, low cost, liquids-rich resource plays in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The expansion is underpinned by long-term contracts with three active producers in the area, AltaGas said.