In an ongoing effort to optimize capital spending amid the weak oil price environment, MPLX LP brought online the first segment of the Wink-to-Webster pipeline to ultimately transport more than 1 million b/d of Permian Basin crude to the Houston area.

The main segment of the 650-mile pipeline was commissioned in October, and service is expected to be available for shippers by the end of the year. Additional segments are expected to be placed in service throughout 2021.

Speaking Monday on the 3Q2020 earnings call, CEO Michael Hennigan said the joint venture partners in the project looked at how they “could optimize capital spending” during the final months of what has been an unprecedented year in the oil and gas industry. With the early completion of the main segment from...