Energy Transfer Partners LP, Dallas, (NYSE: ETP) has completed two North Texas gas pipeline projects—the 135-mile, 36-inch Paris Loop pipeline and the 25-mile, 36-inch Maypearl to Malone pipeline. These new pipelines boost the Partnership’s transportation capacity out of the Barnett shale producing region to more than 3.5 billion cubic feet per day.

The 135-mile Paris Loop pipeline starts near Eagle Mountain Lake in Tarrant County, Texas, and connects to the partnership’s Houston Pipe Line system near Paris, Texas. It immediately provides more than 400 million cubic feet per day of capacity out of the Barnett shale and is expected to accommodate 900 million cubic feet per day by the end of the first quarter of 2009, says Energy Transfer senior vice president Roy Patton.

He adds that the 36-inch Maypearl to Malone pipeline extends from Maypearl, Texas, to the partnership’s 42-inch pipeline near Malone, Texas. The expansion links an additional 600 million cubic feet per day of capacity out of the Barnett.

“As the largest transporter of gas out of the Barnett shale, we’re excited to continue the forward momentum of transportation services in Texas as well as in other producing areas with growth opportunity,” Patton says. “The Paris Loop and Maypearl to Malone pipelines allow natural gas producers and shippers access to a wide range of markets and further demonstrate the partnership’s efforts to stay ahead of the rapidly expanding production in the Barnett shale.”

Patton says the partnership plans to bring online more than 700 miles of gas pipelines in 2008, with more than 500 miles of pipeline expected to be completed in Texas alone. Projects expected to come online later this year include the Southern Shale, Cleburne to Tolar, the Carthage Loop and the Katy Loop pipelines in Texas, and the Phoenix Expansion in Arizona. JAS