Wood to Design the DeLa Express Pipeline for Liquids-Rich Natural Gas in Texas and Louisiana

Wood, a global frontrunner in consulting and engineering, has been chosen to handle the front-end engineering design (FEED) for an ambitious pipeline project in the United States. The DeLa Express pipeline, spearheaded by DeLa Express LLC—a subsidiary of Moss Lake Partners LP—will transport liquids-rich natural gas from the Permian Basin in West Texas to the U.S. Gulf Coast and international markets.

This large-scale pipeline project aims to meet the escalating demand for natural gas and liquids. When operational, the DeLa Express pipeline will function as a critical conduit, delivering energy to major demand centers, including Cameron Parish, Louisiana, the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand hub in North America, located near the Sabine River Corridor. The pipeline is designed to handle over two billion cubic feet per day (BCF/d) of natural gas and liquids, a capacity sufficient to fulfill the daily energy needs of a city the size of Chicago.

The DeLa Express project will significantly impact the energy sector by addressing the current limitations in pipeline infrastructure from the Permian Basin. By increasing takeaway capacity, the project will help reduce flaring and emissions in the region. Additionally, the pipeline’s design, which consolidates natural gas and liquids transportation into a single mainline, will minimize the need for extensive right-of-way clearing, thereby reducing its environmental footprint.

Jeremy Hall, Senior Vice President of Oil, Gas, and New Energies Americas at Wood, highlighted the importance of this project in alleviating pipeline capacity constraints. He noted Wood’s extensive experience in designing long-haul pipeline systems and managing complex natural gas infrastructure projects, including navigating the FERC permitting process. Hall expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with DeLa Express and Moss Lake Partners, emphasizing the project’s role in enhancing energy security both in the United States and globally.

Under the terms of the contract, Wood will be responsible for designing approximately 645 miles of 42-inch diameter mainline pipeline and around 139 miles of associated lateral pipelines. Additionally, Wood will oversee the work of Burrow Global, LLC, which will manage the compressor station subcontracting. Eric J. Carmichael, Senior Vice President of EPC Projects at Moss Lake Partners, praised Wood’s selection, citing their industry expertise and alignment with Moss Lake Partners’ strategic objectives. Carmichael highlighted the high level of interest from Permian producers, global consumers, and private capital markets as a testament to Wood’s suitability for this key infrastructure project.

Wood’s expertise in pipeline engineering is well-established, with recent projects including the Grey Oak Pipeline, ExxonMobil’s Delaware Connector, and Williams’ Regional Energy Access. The company has designed over 3,000 miles of energy transition pipelines across North America, underscoring its capability to manage large-scale, complex pipeline initiatives effectively.