The new unit, which has a capacity to fractionate around 85,000 barrels per day (BPD) of NGL, is expected to increase total NGL fractionation capacity at the facility to about 655,000 BPD.
The new fractionator will accommodate increasing NGL production from domestic shale plays such as the Eagle Ford in South Texas and other basins in the Rocky Mountain and Mid-continent regions.
Rising production of NGL is expected to provide a low-cost feedstock advantage for the global petrochemical industry, by replacing expensive crude oil-based derivatives.
Enterprise general partner CEO Michael Creel said the eighth NGL fractionator is the second unit that has placed into service in the last two months, which is completed ahead of schedule and within budget.
"In just three years, total NGL fractionation capacity at the partnership’s Mont Belvieu complex has increased, from 400,000 BPD to 655,000 BPD, demonstrating our ability to respond quickly, efficiently and safely to the demand for midstream infrastructure that meets the country’s evolving energy landscape," Creel added.
Seven and eight fractionators at the facility have been constructed, as part of a joint venture (JV) with Western Gas Partners, an affiliate of Anadarko Petroleum.
Enterprise is the operator of the two new units, and holds 75% stake in the JV, with Western Gas owning the remaining 25% interest.
Enterprise offers midstream energy services such as natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transportation and storage, NGL transportation, fractionation, storage and import and export terminals.
The company also provides services that include crude oil and refined products transportation, storage and terminals, offshore production platforms, petrochemical transportation and services.
The partnership’s assets include around 51,000 miles of onshore and offshore pipelines, 200 million barrels of storage capacity for NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals, as well as 14 billion cubic ft of natural gas storage capacity.
