Plains may build condensate-only pipelines in Permian Basin

• Plains All American (PAA +1.2%) says it is considering building new condensate-only pipelines and storage tanks in the Permian Basin in west Texas as output increases, an issue that has taken on more urgency after the U.S. told two Eagle Ford operators that condensate could be exported if it has been run through a stabilizer.
• Condensate makes up much of the output from the Eagle Ford, where newer pipeline and storage infrastructure is better suited to segregate it from more traditional light crudes, PAA VP of pipeline business development Sam Brown says.
• While condensate has traditionally been mixed with other Permian crude as it moves to markets, Brown believes midstream companies will look at ways to segregate it as output volumes increase.