The Permian Basin is the undisputed engine of American energy growth—and midstream operators like Targa Resources are racing to keep up. A recent Pipeline Addition (PA) approved by the Railroad Commission of Texas highlights just how aggressively Targa is scaling infrastructure to match soaring gas production.
In June 2025, Targa Midland LLC received Permit Amendment 09661 authorizing a major pipeline addition totaling over 82 miles across Borden, Dawson, Howard, and Martin counties. This expansion cements Targa’s strategy to optimize flow assurance from the wellhead to its Gulf Coast export network.
📄 Inside the Permit: Pipeline Addition Details
According to Railroad Commission filings, the amendment reflects the following:
- Permit Number: 09661
- Operator: Targa Midland LLC
- Counties Impacted: Borden, Dawson, Howard, Martin
- Commodity: Gas
- Classification: Private
- Total Permitted Miles (Post-Amendment): 340.97 miles
- Regulated Miles: 102.84
- Unregulated Miles: 238.12
🚧 New Pipeline Segments Added: 82.63 Miles
Pipe Diameter Miles Added 6″ 5.16 8″ 9.62 10″ 1.29 12″ 18.52 16″ 17.95 20″ 4.09 24″ 26.00
A minor 0.36-mile segment in Borden County was removed for centerline adjustment, but the net result is a significant boost in takeaway and gathering capacity.
In addition to physical infrastructure, this amendment included a GIS upgrade—NGG (Natural Gas Gathering) attribute codes were added to pipeline records to enhance operational visibility.
📍 Why It Matters: Strategic Value of This Pipeline Addition
- Connecting the Core
The counties covered—Borden, Dawson, Howard, and Martin—sit in the Midland sub-basin, one of the most active regions for horizontal drilling. These locations are central to Targa’s gathering footprint and directly feed its processing plants. - Infrastructure Lead = Competitive Lead
In the Permian, operators with scalable takeaway win. This addition ensures that Targa can accommodate incremental volumes from both internal processing plants and third-party producers. - Integration with Mont Belvieu
Gas gathered through this permit flows into Targa’s broader NGL value chain—eventually reaching fractionation and export hubs in Mont Belvieu. Targa controls this chain end-to-end, boosting efficiency and capturing fees at each stage. - Fee-Based Growth in a Price-Volatile Market
While gas prices at hubs like Waha can be volatile or even negative, Targa’s fee-based model ensures steady returns. Adding gathering mileage improves contract volumes and asset utilization—without exposure to commodity swings.
🧭 The Bigger Picture: Permian Growth Continues
Targa has been executing a basin-wide buildout of gas infrastructure. From multiple 275 MMcf/d gas plant startups (like Falcon II and East Pembrook) to major pipeline projects like Daytona NGL and the proposed Apex pipeline, the company is positioning itself as the Permian’s midstream backbone.
With over 7,600 miles of gathering pipelines and one of the largest gas processing footprints in the basin, this latest pipeline addition shows how Targa is methodically building scale ahead of continued upstream growth.
✅ In Summary
The Pipeline Addition authorized by Permit 09661 is more than a regulatory update—it’s a clear indicator of Targa’s long-term commitment to the Permian Basin. By expanding capacity across four strategic counties, Targa strengthens its role as a critical enabler of West Texas energy flow. This isn’t just pipe in the ground—it’s the infrastructure fueling the next chapter of North America’s energy evolution.
