Oneok completes first phase of Roadrunner pipeline project in Texas, US

Oneok Partners has completed the first phase of the Roadrunner Gas Transmission pipeline project in West Texas, US.

The 200 miles of 30in diameter Roadrunner pipeline connects the company’s existing WesTex natural gas pipeline system near Coyanosa to a new international border-crossing connection at the US and Mexico border near San Elizario, where it will connect with Fermaca’s Tarahumara gas pipeline.

Roadrunner is a 50/50 joint venture with Mexico City-based natural gas infrastructure company Fermaca and is estimated to cost up to $480m.

The first phase will provide 170 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of capacity to markets in Mexico and El Paso, Texas.

The second phase is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017. This phase will increase the pipeline’s capacity to 570 MMcf/d.

Scheduled for completion in 2019, the third and final phase of the project will increase the total capacity of the pipeline to 640 MMcf/d.

Oneok Partners president Terry Spencer said: "The addition of Roadrunner to our extensive natural gas pipeline infrastructure in West Texas positions Oneok Partners to serve Mexico’s rapidly expanding natural gas markets by connecting them with US producers in the Permian Basin.

"This project is a good example of our commitment to grow stable, long-term, fee-based earnings for the partnership."

Oneok entered the joint venture with a subsidiary of Fermaca Infrastructure in April 2015 to construct the pipeline.