Enbridge Inc. (NYSE, TSE: ENB) announced Jan. 12 it will build, own and operate a crude oil pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico.

The pipeline will connect Hess Corp.’s (NYSE: HES) planned Stampede development to an existing third-party pipeline system. The Stampede development was sanctioned by Hess and its project co-owners in October.

The Stampede lateral pipeline is expected to cost about $130 million and be operational in 2018.

The Stampede lateral will originate in Green Canyon Block 468, about 220 miles southwest of New Orleans, La. It will be about 16 miles in length and 18 inches in diameter. Water depth at the planned location is about 3,500 feet.

"The Stampede lateral is consistent with Enbridge's low risk business model and furthers our objective to capture new deepwater Gulf of Mexico crude oil plays," said Greg Harper, president, gas pipelines and processing, Enbridge. "This project is an attractive investment opportunity for Enbridge and we are pleased to be working with Hess and the other producers on this development."

Enbridge’s offshore pipelines transport about 40% of the gas produced in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, and 45% of ultra-deep gas production. Its offshore assets include interests in 11 gas gathering and transmission pipelines and one crude oil pipeline in four major pipeline corridors off the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi.