DeLa Express lets FEED contract for Permian natural gas pipeline project

DeLa Express LLC, a subsidiary of Moss Lake Partners LP, has let a front-end engineering design (FEED) contract to Wood for a proposed pipeline to move liquids-rich natural gas from the Permian basin in West Texas to the US Gulf Coast.

The proposed DeLa Express pipeline is being designed to transport 2 bcfd of Delaware basin natural gas from Texas to Louisiana.

Permian pipeline project summary 

Under the contract, Wood will design about 645 miles of 42-in. OD natural gas transportation mainline pipeline from Compressor Station 1 in Winkler County, Tex., to a gas plant in Calcasieu Parish, La., and about 6 associated laterals (139 miles). The team will also manage the compressor station subcontractor, Burrow Global LLC. 

The six pipeline laterals include:

• Field Gas Transport Lateral – a 60-mile, 42-in. OD pipeline in Reeves, Loving, and Winkler Counties. DeLa Express would also construct a 35.5-mile non-jurisdictional liquids line adjacent to the field gas transport lateral.
• Red Bluff Lateral – an 8.3-mile, 24-in. OD pipeline in Reeves County.
• China Draw Lateral – a 6.7-mile, 30-in. OD pipeline in Reeves County.
• Lea Lateral – a 5.9-mile, 30-in. OD pipeline in Loving County.
• Pecos Lateral – a 33.8-mile, 30-in. OD pipeline in Winkler and Ward Counties. DeLa Express would also construct a non-jurisdictional liquids line adjacent to the full length of the Pecos Lateral.
• Andrews Lateral – a 24.3-mile, 30-in. OD pipeline in Winkler and Andrews Counties. DeLa Express would also construct a non-jurisdictional liquids line adjacent to the full length of the Andrews Lateral.

Six new electric-driven compressor stations are planned, including one each in Winkler, Glasscock, Coleman, Coryell, Brazos, and Liberty Counties, Tex.; three new dew point control sites in Loving, Ward, and Andrews Counties, Tex; and one new stabilization plant collocated with the compressor station in Winkler County, Tex.

Also to be included are 42 mainline and 5 lateral valve sites, multiple meter stations collocated at other above-ground facilities; and, pig launcher/receiver sites, including 10 collocated within other above-ground facilities and four standalone sites.

About 83% of the planned pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road rights-of-way.

Regulatory developments

DeLa Express LLC in April requested approval to initiate the pre-filing review process for its proposed pipeline project (OGJ Online, Apr. 9, 2024). The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is currently in the scoping process to gather input from the public and interested agencies regarding the project. Comments will be received until Sept. 23, 2024.