Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) continues to scale its natural gas infrastructure footprint in Texas, receiving approval from the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) for a sweeping pipeline permit that spans more than 8,100 miles. The permit—T-4 Permit #09207—supports a mix of regulated and unregulated gas gathering and utility infrastructure across key production areas including the Delaware and Anadarko basins.

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Includes: Account Name, Location, Phone, Website, Wells Drilled

Permit Highlights

Operator: Energy Transfer Company
Economic & Ownership Entity: ET Gathering & Processing LLC
Commodity: Natural Gas
Permit Number: 09207
Total Permitted Mileage: 8,191.67 miles
- Regulated: 1,576.09 miles
- Unregulated: 6,615.58 miles
Valid Through: March 31, 2026
Coverage: Over 40 counties including core areas in West Texas such as Reeves, Loving, Ward, and Midland.

Notable Pipeline Addition (PA)

The permit includes Pipeline Additions (PA) totaling over 61 miles of new natural gas gathering lines, reflecting Energy Transfer’s continued investment in expanding takeaway capacity from high-growth production zones. These additions support upstream activity by providing producers with immediate access to midstream gathering networks, reducing flaring and enhancing monetization of gas volumes. This expansion plays a critical role in increasing operational flexibility in the Delaware Basin and improving system reliability across the network.

Delaware Basin: Gathering Expansion for Permian Growth

Much of this new and amended pipeline infrastructure supports Energy Transfer’s strategic positioning in the Delaware Basin, the most prolific sub-basin of the Permian. Activity noted in the permit includes gathering system upgrades, transmission-to-gathering reclassifications, and route adjustments for optimized flow. For instance, lines from the Hamlin Gas Plant have been reclassified from transmission to gathering, reflecting a more focused effort to aggregate and process associated gas closer to the wellhead.

As detailed in our recent Permian-focused blog post, Energy Transfer is not just expanding to accommodate current demand but is preparing its network for long-term global LNG and petrochemical market exposure. By increasing connectivity in the Delaware Basin, ET strengthens its feedstock supply chain for Gulf Coast terminals.

Anadarko Basin: Interbasin Integration and Reclassification

The permit also affects operations in the Anadarko Basin, particularly through the merger of previously classified interstate pipelines back into Texas intrastate service. For example, permit T10568 (an interstate gas gathering system) is being merged into intrastate permit T09207. This move may suggest a strategic pivot to better align with intrastate flows and midstream partnerships in Oklahoma-Texas border regions, where Energy Transfer continues to gather and process natural gas liquids (NGLs) and residue gas.

Permit Amendments Reflect Modernization and Optimization

Notable permit amendments include:

Pipeline deletions and reassignments, such as the Orla to MiVida line moved to a separate condensate permit.
Material upgrades, with several steel lines replaced by poly pipe in Winkler County, enhancing corrosion resistance and flow reliability.
Route and centerline adjustments, reflecting improved mapping accuracy and pipeline corridor optimization.

These updates reflect a broader industry trend: midstream players are increasingly modernizing existing infrastructure to increase throughput and reduce emissions while minimizing surface disturbance through route optimization.

Bottom Line

Energy Transfer’s latest pipeline permit reflects both tactical operational adjustments and a larger strategic ambition: to lead the next wave of midstream infrastructure growth in the Permian and Anadarko basins. With nearly 8,200 miles of permitted natural gas infrastructure now consolidated under one T-4 permit, ET is well-positioned to serve the growing energy demand at home and abroad.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor Energy Transfer’s gathering and processing activity across key shale basins.