Enterprise Products Partners announced that Exxon Mobil Corporation will take a 40% stake in its Bahia natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline and contribute to its expansion to handle increased volumes from the Permian Basin. The agreement outlines a capacity increase to 1 million barrels per day once the transaction closes, expected by early 2026.
Strategic extension to New Mexico
The network expansion will include a 92-mile segment connecting the Bahia pipeline to Exxon Mobil’s Cowboy gas processing plant in Eddy County, New Mexico. The entire system will be operated by Enterprise, while the portion owned by Exxon Mobil will be named the Cowboy Connector. The project aims to strengthen NGL transport from the Midland and Delaware basins to Enterprise’s Mont Belvieu fractionation hub in Texas.
The 550-mile Bahia line, currently in the commissioning phase, is expected to begin commercial service shortly, with an initial capacity of 600,000 barrels per day. The pipeline will move mixed NGL streams—primarily ethane, propane and butane—towards Enterprise’s processing and export facilities.
Permian Basin output growth forecasts
According to internal company data, NGL production in the Permian Basin may increase by more than 30% between 2024 and 2030. This structural trend reinforces the logistical and commercial relevance of the Bahia pipeline for operators seeking to secure transportation capacity. Jim Teague, co-Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Products Partners, stated that “as the ratio of natural gas and NGL production to crude continues to increase in the Permian, the Bahia pipeline will be an essential artery.”
The newly added segment will also connect to several Enterprise-operated plants in the Delaware Basin. Its commissioning is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027. This initiative reflects increasing investment in midstream infrastructure, driven by growing hydrocarbon liquids output and the progressive saturation of existing capacity in the region.
