Western Midstream Joins Solitude Pipeline Project for Permian Expansion

Two 48-inch natural gas pipelines will soon bridge the gap between the Permian Basin and Katy, Texas, as Western Midstream Partners officially confirms its 7.5% stake in the Solitude Pipeline System joint venture, a project designed to move 4.5 billion cubic feet of gas daily by 2030.

Corp and Tech·August 17, 2026·reads: 388

Western Midstream Joins Solitude Pipeline Project for Permian Expansion

Operated by WhiteWater, the Solitude project has cleared its final investment decision, backed by long-term agreements with investment-grade shippers. The infrastructure will roll out in stages, providing 2.25 Bcf/d of capacity in late 2029, followed by an identical expansion in 2030. The design allows for further scalability should market demand require additional throughput.

For Western Midstream, the venture represents a shift in strategy. CEO Oscar K. Brown noted that unlike previous joint ventures, the company has secured firm transportation capacity on these lines. This move aims to provide flow assurance for Delaware Basin customers as gas-to-oil ratios rise and residue takeaway becomes a bottleneck for producers. The project remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, with service expected to commence in the second half of 2029.