Arbuckle II pipeline is a proposed natural gas pipeline being developed to transport unfractionated natural gas liquids (NGL) from Oklahoma to Texas, US. It is being developed by ONEOK, with an estimated investment of $1.36bn.
The Arbuckle II natural gas pipeline is part of ONEOK’s $3.5bn investment in growth projects, which include the Elk Creek Pipeline, the MB-4 NGL fractionator, and a natural gas processing plant at Demicks Lake and other associated infrastructure.
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The construction on the pipeline is expected to begin by the third quarter of 2018 and is anticipated to be completed by 2020.
Arbuckle II pipeline route
The Arbuckle II pipeline will be approximately 530 miles (853km)-long, of which 120 miles (193km) will be laid across five counties in Oklahoma including Canadian, Caddo, Grady, Stephens and Jefferson.
The rest of the pipeline will be approximately 400 miles (644km)-long and will cross 15 counties in Texas including Montague, Jack, Wise, Parker, Hood, Johnson, Hill, Limestone, Leon, Madison, Walker, San Jacinto, Liberty, and Chambers.
The pipeline will transport unfractionated natural gas liquids (NGL) from the supply basins and NGL gathering system owned by ONEOK to storage and fractionation facilities located at Mont Belvieu, Texas.
Arbuckle II pipeline design details
The Arbuckle II pipeline will have a diameter ranging between 24in and 30in. It will be made of high-strength steel and coated with a protective layer to avoid corrosion. The pipeline will be buried at a depth of 3ft as per the U.S. Department of Transportation’s pipeline safety regulations.
The pipeline will have an initial transport capacity of approximately 400,000 barrels per day (bpd), which will be expanded to approximately one million bpd in future.
Arbuckle II pipeline construction
Surveys are planned to be conducted on the routes in both the states of Oklahoma and Texas in 2018. The surveys will study the impact of the pipeline on the local wildlife, water and soil conditions. Submission of regulatory permit applications and acquisition of easements will also be made in 2018.
“The Arbuckle II pipeline will be approximately 530 miles (853km)-long.”
The construction activities on the Oklahoma route are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2018 and completed by the first quarter of 2019. The Texas segment will be laid from the fourth quarter of 2018 and the pipeline will be put into service by the first quarter of 2020.
The pipeline route will be reviewed before commencement of the construction activities. It will be staked and graded to create a suitable surface for the smooth movement of equipment. The sections of the pipe will be laid along the right-of-way and the pipe joints will be bent and welded using the X-ray technique to form a continuous segment.
The welded joints of the pipeline will be coated to avoid corrosion. The welded pipeline will be laid in a trench, which will be backfilled after completion of construction. It will be tested prior to being placed in service.
