Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. said it will expandprocessing capacity at its Bridgeport, TX, plant northwest of FortWorth from 210 to 310 MMcf/d. The expansion will handle rapidlyrising gas supplies from accelerated drilling by the company andother producers. Daily rich gas volumes delivered to Bridgeport areexpected to increase from 205 MMcf to almost 300 MMcf during thenext three years. Likewise, gas liquids production from the plantwould increase from 19,000 b/d to more than 27,000 b/d.

Construction is scheduled to begin in July, and start-up istargeted for December. Total project cost will be approximately $15million, increasing the company’s capital budget to $236 million.

“The Bridgeport plant will be one of the largest and mostefficient natural gas processing plants in Texas. It will becapable of 90% ethane recovery and will use minimum fuel andpower,” said CEO George P. Mitchell. “We believe this will give usa cost advantage in attracting incremental gas volumes from otherproducers, and we plan to aggressively compete for these newsupplies. The company’s aggressive drilling program in the FortWorth Basin, combined with the expansion of the Bridgeport plantand gathering system, will provide a secure platform for continuedgrowth of our gas gathering, processing and marketing business inthe area.” Mitchell is one of the nation’s largest independentproducers of gas and gas liquids.

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