Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering, has been awarded the front-end engineering design (FEED) for a long-haul, large diameter liquids-rich natural gas pipeline project in the United States.

The DeLa Express pipeline project (the 'project') being developed by DeLa Express LLC ('DeLa Express'), a subsidiary of Moss Lake Partners LP ('Moss Lake Partners'), is proposed to deliver liquids-rich natural gas from the Permian Basin of West Texas to the U.S. Gulf Coast and international export markets.

Once complete, the project will act as a highway to supply the growing demand for natural gas and liquids, safely shipping critical energy to the largest demand markets, including the largest liquified natural gas (LNG) demand center in North America - Cameron Parish, Louisiana near the Sabine River Corridor.

The project is being designed for approximately two plus (2.0+) billion cubic feet per day (BCF/d) of natural gas and liquids transportation capacity, enough to supply the daily equivalent demand of the city of Chicago, Illinois.

By aiming to provide much needed natural gas and liquids takeaway capacity, the project will reduce flaring and emissions in the Permian, and by transporting natural gas and liquids in a single mainline, it will minimise the need for right-of-way clearing and have a significantly lower environmental impact.

Jeremy Hall, Senior Vice President of Oil, Gas and New Energies Americas for Wood, said: “As demand for natural gas increases, the project will provide a transformational answer to the strained existing pipeline capacity from the Permian Basin.

“Wood recently completed the design of several long-haul pipeline systems in the United States and has a strong track record of delivering engineering for complex natural gas pipeline systems as well as managing the FERC permitting process. Our team is delighted to work with DeLa Express and Moss Lake Partners on this flagship project that will help to provide increased energy security in the United States and around the world.”

Under the contract, Wood will design approximately 645 miles of 42-inch diameter mainline pipeline and approximately 139 miles of associated laterals. The team will also manage the compressor station subcontractor, Burrow Global, LLC.

Eric J. Carmichael, Senior Vice President, EPC Projects for Moss Lake Partners, commented: “Given the remarkable interest from Permian producers, global consumers and private capital markets, Wood is the natural choice to spearhead one of our premiere infrastructure development projects.

“Wood’s industry expertise, seamlessly woven with our strategic vision, heralds an exhilarating future for U.S. energy infrastructure and Moss Lake Partners.”

Wood’s team of pipeline experts have recently delivered engineering for major pipeline projects, such as Grey Oak, ExxonMobil’s Delaware Connector and Williams’ Regional Energy Access, and designed over 3,000 miles of energy transition pipelines in North America.