Discovery System to Build Keathley Canyon Connector in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
New Long-Term Gathering, Processing, Transportation Agreements for Lucius, Hadrian South Fields Signed in Support of New Project
TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ) and DCP Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: DPM) today announced a planned expansion of the Discovery natural gas gathering pipeline system in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
Discovery intends to construct the Keathley Canyon Connector, a 20-inch diameter, 215-mile subsea natural gas gathering pipeline for production from the Keathley Canyon, Walker Ridge and Green Canyon areas in the central deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
Discovery has signed long-term agreements with the Lucius and Hadrian South owners for natural gas gathering and processing services for production from those fields.
The Keathley Canyon Connector will originate in the southeast portion of the Keathley Canyon area and terminate into Discovery’s 30-inch diameter mainline near South Timbalier Block 283. The pipeline will be capable of gathering more than 400 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of natural gas.
“With the newly signed anchor customers, the Keathley Canyon Connector will provide us with significant growth opportunities for fee-based deepwater gathering volumes on the Discovery system,” said Rory Miller, president of Williams Partners’ midstream business.
“There is also opportunity for future growth, as it will run in close proximity to several known discoveries and numerous planned-to-be-drilled prospects. It will provide the industry with highly reliable and cost-effective deepwater gathering services and deliver those volumes to our onshore Larose gas processing plant and Paradis fractionator,” Miller said.
“This expansion project, supported by long-term agreements with experienced deepwater producers, facilitates the Discovery system’s ability to attract additional gathering and processing volumes in the future,” said Mark Borer, president and chief executive officer of DCP Midstream Partners, LP.
Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2013, with a mid-2014 expected in-service date. Total capital expenditures for the Keathley Canyon Connector are estimated to be approximately $600 million. Williams Partners’ portion of capital expenditures on this project was included in its 2012 forecast issued on Nov. 1, 2011.
In addition to the offshore gathering system, the Discovery system includes the Larose natural gas processing plant and Paradis fractionation facility. Williams Partners owns 60 percent of the Discovery system and operates it. DCP Midstream Partners, LP owns the other 40 percent of the Discovery system.
About Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ)
Williams Partners L.P. is a leading diversified master limited partnership focused on natural gas transportation; gathering, treating, and processing; storage; natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionation; and oil transportation. The partnership owns interests in three major interstate natural gas pipelines that, combined, deliver 14 percent of the natural gas consumed in the United States. The partnership's gathering and processing assets include large-scale operations in the U.S. Rocky Mountains and both onshore and offshore along the Gulf of Mexico. Williams (NYSE: WMB) owns approximately 75 percent of Williams Partners, including the general-partner interest. More information is available at www.williamslp.com. Go to http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1296&to=ea&s=0 or http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=630&to=ea&s=0 to join our email list.
About DCP Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE:DPM)
DCP Midstream Partners, LP is a midstream master limited partnership that gathers, treats, processes, transports and markets natural gas, transports and markets natural gas liquids, and is a leading wholesale distributor of propane. DCP Midstream Partners, LP is managed by its general partner, DCP Midstream GP, LLC, which is wholly owned by DCP Midstream, LLC, a joint venture between Spectra Energy and ConocoPhillips. For more information, visit the DCP Midstream Partners, LP website at http://www.dcppartners.com.
Portions of this document may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined by federal law. Although the partnership believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the “safe harbor” protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the partnerships’ annual, quarterly and periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Media Contact:
Williams
Jeff Pounds, 918-573-3332
or
Investor Contacts:
Williams
Sharna Reingold, 918-573-2078
or
DCP Midstream Partners, LP
Jonni Anwar, 303-605-1868
Source: Williams Partners L.P. and DCP Midstream Partners, LP
