Regency Energy Partners LP is expanding its South Texas facilities to meet producer demand for rich gas services in the growing Eagle Ford Shale play, the partnership said Tuesday. The projects are expected to provide 200 MMcf/d of capacity for Regency’s South Texas gathering system.

“Regency’s rich gas volumes in the South Texas region continue to ramp up, and we have been aggressive in our plans to offer increased midstream services in the Eagle Ford Shale,” said Regency CEO Mike Bradley. “Our current expansion projects position Regency for additional growth opportunities and will improve the operational efficiencies of our South Texas gathering system in this prolific shale play.”

The expansions include:

Costs for the projects have been included in Regency’s 2010 organic growth capital budget of $259 million and will be funded under the partnership’s revolving credit facility. The projects are scheduled to be completed in May.

The Eagle Ford has grown in prominence among shale gas plays throughout the year due to its liquids-rich natural gas and oil reserves, which are attractive to producers when dry gas prices are as low as they have been. SM Energy Co. (see Shale Daily, Nov. 5), Petrohawk Energy Corp. (see Shale Daily, Nov. 4) and Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (see Shale Daily, Oct. 7) are but a few of the companies sharpening their focus on the Eagle Ford.