Energy Transfer’s Crude Oil Pipeline Network: Key Assets, Flows, and Strategic Moves
Visualizing Crude Oil Pipeline Infrastructure
In a quiet news week for midstream oil markets, Energy Transfer's pipeline systems take the spotlight. We’ll be using Energy Transfer to highlight our new interactive pipeline portal recently launched for clients and beta testers. The pipeline portal offers map-based visualization of crude oil flows, capacity utilization, and delivery points across Energy Transfer’s portfolio. The platform aims to make infrastructure trends easier to interpret and monitor.
Permian Express, West Texas Gulf, and Wink to Webster
The Permian Express Partners JV pipeline—an Energy Transfer-Exxon JV—moves up to 600,000 barrels/day from Midland and surrounding hubs. Fluctuations in capacity vs. flow are tied to lease arrangements with West Texas Gulf, another key egress route. Meanwhile, Wink to Webster, where Energy Transfer owns a 5% stake, has peaked near 1.5 million barrels/day, playing a major role in Permian Basin crude exports.
Centurion and ETP Crude: Leveraging Underutilized Assets
Energy Transfer’s Centurion system, acquired from Lotus Midstream, has creatively reversed flow to open a route from Cushing to the Gulf, maximizing value from older, less-used pipelines. The broader ETP Crude portfolio—including legacy assets like Amdel and Eaglebine—also supports flows from East Texas, New Mexico, and the Midland area, connecting to both refineries and export terminals.
ET-S Permian JV: A Gathering Giant
The ET-S Permian JV, combining assets from Energy Transfer and Sunoco, includes the NuStar system, Panther, and legacy gathering routes. Moving an estimated 500,000 barrels/day, this system delivers a significant share of Permian crude to the Midland Tank Farm and Colorado City, forming the backbone of regional aggregation and transport.
Mid-Valley and Bayou Bridge Pipelines
The Mid-Valley Pipeline moves East Texas crude through Arkansas and Tennessee to Ohio, serving major refineries. Bayou Bridge, a JV with Phillips 66, supports refineries in the Lake Charles area but remains underutilized toward St. James, despite its ~480,000 barrel/day capacity—signaling possible future upside or concern depending on contract structure.
Bakken Assets and Dakota Access Integration
Energy Transfer’s Bakken infrastructure, including Big Horn, Bobcat, and Arrow, feeds directly into the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Additional systems like Enable’s Bear Den and Nesson provide flexibility and potential expansion if Exxon divests and new producers increase activity. Though DAPL can move over 1 million barrels/day, only about half reaches the Gulf Coast, with much staying in the PADD II refining region.
Free Access and Expansion Ahead
With over 100 crude oil pipelines now published—including assets from Enbridge, Plains, Southbow, and major joint ventures—Energy Transfer's map-based portal offers a powerful tool for institutional oil market analysts. Beta access is free, and the team plans to release up to 300 pipelines total in the next three months, complete with tariffs and enhanced flow analytics. Institutional users are encouraged to test, provide feedback, and shape future development.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction and Brief News Overview
2:12 Permian Express
5:15 West Texas Gulf
7:10 Wink to Webster
7:40 Centurion
10:44 ETP Crude
13:23 ET-S Permian
15:18 Mid-Valley Pipeline
16:18 Bayou Bridge
18:04 Maurepas
19:31 Enable Oklahoma
20:30 White Cliffs/Wattenberg
22:05 Big Horn/Bobcat/Arrow
22:59 Enable Bakken
24:29 Dakota Access and ETCOP
25:57 Subscribe for Free and Use Plainview!
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