Saddlehorn and Grand Mesa to combine projects

Saddlehorn Pipeline Company LLC has announced that it is combining projects with Grand Mesa Pipeline LLC for the construction of a 20-in. undivided joint interest pipeline, which begins approximately 20 miles north of Saddlehorn's Platteville, Colorado origin at a junction near Grand Mesa's Lucerne, Colorado origin. The joint interest pipeline will deliver various grades of crude oil from the DJ Basin to storage facilities in Cushing, Oklahoma.

As part of the undivided joint interest, Saddlehorn and Grand Mesa will share in the costs for the pipeline that is currently under construction. The initial capacity of the joint interest pipeline is expected to be 340 000 bpd, where Saddlehorn will own 190 000 bpd of capacity and Grand Mesa will own 150 000 bpd. Saddlehorn and Grand Mesa will be responsible for their own commercial activities, including customer relationships, contract terms and tariff structure, with respect to their interest in the pipeline. Saddlehorn has the option to expand the maximum capacity of the pipeline to more than 450 000 bpd in the future at its sole discretion and cost. Saddlehorn would own all of the incremental capacity from any expansion. Grand Mesa will retain ownership of its previously acquired pipeline easements from Lucerne to Cushing for the potential future development of transportation projects involving petroleum commodities other than crude oil and condensate. With the consent and participation of Saddlehorn, the parties may consider future opportunities using these easements for projects involving the transportation of crude oil and condensate.

Saddlehorn will own origin points at Platteville, including one million barrels of storage, and Carr, Colorado as well as the pipeline segment from Carr to the Lucerne junction. Grand Mesa will own origin points both at Lucerne and Riverside, Colorado as well as the pipeline segment between Lucerne and Riverside.

"Combining projects makes strong economic sense by reducing overall construction and operating costs and better aligning pipeline capacity with current DJ Basin production while allowing for future growth when market conditions improve," said Michael Mears, Magellan's CEO, on behalf of Saddlehorn.

Pipeline installation began in early October for the Platteville-to-Cushing segment of the pipeline, which is expected to be operational during mid-2016. Right-of-way acquisition is currently in progress for the Carr-to-Platteville segment, which is expected to be operational in the 4Q16.

Edited from press release by Angharad Lock

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/18112015/saddlehorn-and-grand-mesa-to-combine-projects-1644/