With binding commercial agreements in hand, Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) and Howard Energy Partners (HEP) have begun expanding their Eagle Ford Shale natural gas transportation systems to deliver up to 2 Bcf/d by year’s end to Gulf Coast markets.

KMI

Kinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline LLC and HEP’s joint venture Dos Caminos LLC said Wednesday they had enough customer support to begin the expansions. HEP operates Dos Caminos and partners in the project with an affiliate of Eagle Ford Midstream LP (EFM).

KMI’s Tom Dender, president of Natural Gas Midstream, said the Eagle Ford expansion project, which would cost the company around $251 million, “will be a critical supply link for the impending growth being discussed with power generators, industrial customers and LNG exporters along our...