Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (KMP) and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (ETP) on Oct. 1, 2008, announced their formation of a 50/50 joint venture, Fayetteville Express Pipeline, LLC (FEP).

The Fayetteville Express Pipeline will support growing production from the Fayetteville Shale play in Arkansas. The approximately 185-mile, 42-inch-diameter pipeline will originate in Conway County, Ark., continue eastward through White County, Ark., and terminate at an interconnect with Trunkline Gas Co. in Panola County, Miss.

The pipeline will have an initial capacity of 2.0 billion cubic feet per day. Construction on the approximately $1.25 billion pipeline project began in March 2010. ETP announced on November 8, 2010, that the pipeline would be in service by December 1--completed earlier than expected and under budget. As of November 8, FEP has sold roughly 1.85 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas capacity sold under long-term contracts totaling 10 to 12 years.

According to the JV, the new pipeline will also interconnect with Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America (NGPL) in White County, Ark., Texas Gas Transmission in Coahoma County, Miss., and ANR Pipeline Co. in Quitman County, Miss. NGPL is operated and partially owned by Knight, Inc. Knight owns the general partner of KMP.