Enterprise Products Partners announced plans to expand natural gas pipeline and NGL infrastructure in the Eagle Ford Shale. The developments are in response to demand from operators in the region who are experiencing strong growth. The company estimates current crude oil production is 200,000- 250,000 bbls/d and may ultimately reach 750,000-850,000 bbls/d. Plans will be in service by the first quarter of 2013 and include:

• Additional 300 mmcfd train at the Yoakum cryogenic plant in Lavaca County, TX
• Adding 62 miles of pipeline loops (24 and 30 inch) and compression to add 300 mmcfd of gathering capability
• Y-grade pipeline from Yoakum, TX to Mont Belvieu will be expanded from a planned 20 inches to 24 inches.

The 300 mmcfd train at the Yoakum Plant is in addition to the 600 mmcfd under construction. That will bring total capacity up to 900 mmcfd at the opening of this train.  In total, Enterprise Products processing capacity in South Texas will jump from 1.5 bcfd to 2.4 bcfd when the Yoakum plant is fully functional.

"Increased drilling activity in the prolific Eagle Ford Shale continues to create opportunities for Enterprise to leverage its integrated network of midstream assets to provide producers with flow assurance and market choice," said A.J. "Jim" Teague, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Enterprise's general partner. "Each new addition to our growing infrastructure footprint allows us to provide enhanced service options for customers in a more efficient, timely and cost-effective manner.

Read the entire news release at enterpriseproducts.com