DENVER – Outrigger Energy II LLC, based in Denver, is planning a 70-mile long pipeline to a new processing plant at Williston.

The company announced in January it has entered into a long-term gas gathering and processing agreement with XTO Energy, Inc. to service XTO’s production in Williams County in northwestern North Dakota.

The gathering system will comprise a 20- and 24-inch diameter 70-mile long rich gas pipeline originating in eastern Williams County and terminating at a new 250 MMcfd (million cubic feet per day) cryogenic gas processing plant west of Williston, according to Outrigger Energy officials.

Plans are also in the works for a plant expansion of up to an additional 200 MMcfd, for total gas processing capacity of 450 MMcfd. Outrigger will construct, own and operate the cryogenic processing plant and gathering system.

The high efficiency plant features ethane recovery and rejection capabilities that will provide direct market access to the Northern Border Pipeline system for residue gas and the ONEOK natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline system for natural gas liquids. Future NGL fractionation facilities may be added to provide finished NGL products for local markets.

“We are grateful XTO has entrusted Outrigger to build a gathering system with substantial capacity and state-of-the-art facilities that will assist XTO with execution of its significant development plans in Williams County,” said Dave Keanini, CEO of Outrigger. “Routing of the gathering line will provide other Williston Basin operators access to much needed gathering and cryogenic processing capacity.

“Moreover, this additional midstream capacity for gas production north of the Missouri River allows the state of North Dakota to make strides towards its goal of minimizing gas flaring in the Basin. Over the last six years, the Outrigger team has achieved an excellent track record of project execution, safe and reliable operations and customer service in the Delaware, Midland, Powder River and DJ Basins, and we couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to do the same in North Dakota.”

The project timeline in-service date is December.

Outrigger Energy II LLC is a private, full-service midstream energy company specializing in greenfield project development with a current focus on liquids-rich natural gas and crude oil infrastructure in the DJ Basin of Colorado and Wyoming and the Williston Basin.