A binding open season to test support to expand natural gas liquids (NGL) takeaway on the Texas Express Pipeline from the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin to the Gulf Coast, is launching Friday, according to the sponsors.

The test for support to expand Texas Express by about 90,000 b/d is to continue through June 4 by sponsors Enterprise Products Partners LP, Enbridge Inc. subsidiary Midcoast Operating LP, Western Gas Partners LP (WGP) and DCP Midstream LP.

The expansion, designed to alleviate growing production of NGLs from the DJ, complements one already underway to test interest in boosting capacity on the 435-mile Front Range pipeline in Weld County, CO.

The Front Range open season is seeking commitments to increase capacity by 100,000 b/d to a total capacity of 250,000 b/d.

Front Range connects to Texas Express in Skellytown, TX, in Carson County, which is in the Texas Panhandle. From Skellytown, Texas Express transports NGLs to the Mont Belvieu fractionation and storage complex near Houston.

Enterprise would be responsible for constructing the Texas Express expansion to add more pumping capacity along the 583-mile route. With enough interest, service on the expanded pipeline could begin in 2Q2019.

Combined, the Front Range and Texas Express systems would offer “an integrated solution that provides much needed takeaway capacity for NGL production in the DJ Basin and access to the Gulf Coast market,” the sponsors said.

Requests for additional information are available from Jacob Tripplehorn at (713) 381-3844 or jztripplehorn@eprod.com, as well as Patrick Tucker at (713) 381-5429 or pktucker@eprod.com.

Enterprise and Enbridge each hold a 35% interest in Texas Express, with WGP holding a 20% stake and DCP with a 10% interest.