New Permian Crude Pipelines Appear Unlikely: NACON Panelists

Colorado City, TX, has deep roots in the history of the American West, beginning as a ranger camp in 1877. As cattlemen flocked to the area, it quickly became a vital center for the cattle industry, earning the moniker “The Mother City of West Texas.” The arrival of the Texas & Pacific Railway in 1881 marked a turning point for the town. It was formally organized the following year, its economy bolstered by cattle, cotton and a soon-burgeoning oil industry. A 1920s oil boom further elevated Colorado City’s economic status, marking the beginning of its now long-standing importance in the oil industry. In today’s RBN blog, we’ll explore how Colorado City continues to serve as a critical junction, facilitating the movement of crude from the prolific Permian Basin to major destinations such as Cushing, OK, and the U.S. Gulf Coast. 

A half dozen large midstream companies provide the full gamut of “wellhead-to-water” services for Permian-sourced natural gas and/or NGLs, and a couple of those offer the same for crude oil as well. For Enbridge and Plains All American, the clear focus has been on crude — pipelines, storage and marine terminals — though Enbridge has been rapidly expanding its portfolio of Permian-to-Gulf gas assets too. In today’s RBN blog, we look at what Enbridge and Plains have and what they are planning. 

The EPIC Crude Pipeline, which stretches from the prolific Permian Basin in West Texas to Corpus Christi, has operated above its original nameplate capacity for more than a year, with volumes rising in recent months. Owner EPIC Midstream in April sold its NGL pipeline to Phillips 66 for $2.2 billion and its Olefins Pipeline to Howard Energy Partners in December 2024. In today’s RBN blog, we’ll discuss the EPIC Crude Pipeline and what might be ahead.