Safe operations lay foundation for MPLX gas processing record
Published by Oliver Kleinschmidt,
Assistant Editor
Hydrocarbon Engineering,
A new record within Marathon Petroleum’s midstream segment, MPLX, illustrates the ongoing growth and development of its Natural Gas and NGL Services component. In late 2024, MPLX processed natural gas over a 24-hour period at a rate equal to 10 billion ft3/d, marking the first time it had ever reached this sustained volume milestone.
MPLX has repeated this feat several times since then. The volume milestone amounts to processing about 10% of the natural gas produced daily in the US MPLX touches another approximately 4% via gathering lines.
Gathering and Processing Strategy & Administrative Services Senior Director Chad Corcoran attributes the record to effective responses to market conditions, recently added natural gas processing plants in Pennsylvania and Texas, and performance that gives customers the confidence to make this MPLX segment their midstream provider of choice.
“Safety and reliability have built our reputation. With this reputation, our producer customers have continued to put their trust in us to gather, treat, process and move their products to market,” Corcoran said. “We have maintained strong customer retention and built strong partnerships that promote shared success.”
Beyond customer service, an emphasis on continuous improvement throughout the segment’s operations is also contributing to its success.
“We understand the broader impact of operating our plants efficiently, so our teams are constantly assessing our processes to find untapped energy savings,” said Vice President, Gathering and Processing Head of Operations, Jonathan Jackson. “Efficiency not only enhances production and dependability, using less electricity reduces the overall emissions related to our work.”
This dedication to efficiency recently led to an unprecedented accomplishment. MPLX’s Bluestone, Pennsylvania, natural gas processing plant became the first facility of its kind to achieve the US Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Challenge for Industry, which requires facilities to reduce their energy intensity at least 10% within a five-year period. Processing plants in Houston, Pennsylvania, and Sherwood, West Virginia, are currently pursuing the challenge for industry. These plants are all part of a broader group of midstream assets that MPLX’s natural gas and NGL services segment operates across 14 states.
“We have a collection of centralised service teams who provide various support services across our asset base while helping ensure we’re operating at peak performance,” Corcoran added. “With all groups aligned on a common mission, we’re able to deliver on our commitments.”
Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/10032025/safe-operations-lay-foundation-for-mplx-gas-processing-record/
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