Updates on the DeLa Express Pipeline Project
Condemnor Attorneys Threaten Court Action
September 16, 2024
Moss Lake Partners (the pipeline company) are working with condemnor attorneys to seek entry to landowner properties to begin survey activities. In some cases, they are threatening to go to court and seek an order from a judge allowing them to come onto landowner property uninvited. If you have received such a letter from a law firm, it is important to understand your rights and options before responding.
FERC Opens Scoping Period
August 22, 2024
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently announced the opening of a scoping process to gather input from the public and interested agencies regarding the DeLa Express pipeline project. Public comments on the potential environmental impact of the pipeline should be received by 5:00pm Eastern Time on September 23, 2024. In lieu of sending written comments, landowners can also attend one of the public scoping sessions throughout September at various locations. A fact sheet about natural gas pipelines can be found here.
Survey Access and Right of Entry
August 7, 2024
Currently, DeLa Express and their agents are mailing questionnaires and right of entry forms to property owners along the proposed pipeline route. It is important to know that you are not legally required to sign their forms or complete their forms. When it comes to surveys, we recommend granting limited and controlled access. Some factors you should consider include:
Timing: The pipeline company should give advanced notice of entry and should be limited to the time needed to conduct their activities.
Access: Survey access should be restricted to specific areas and entry should be restricted to predefined access points.
Activities: Carefully define the types of survey activities that are allowed and require the company to leave the property in good condition.
Right of entry agreements can be complex, we recommend consulting an experienced landowner condemnation attorney before signing anything.
What is the DeLa Express Pipeline
The DeLa Express pipeline is a planned 690 mile natural gas pipeline that will extend from Reeves County in West Texas and terminate across the Louisiana border. The pipeline is called ‘DeLa’ because it will begin in the Delaware basin and terminate in Southwest Louisiana, and is managed by Moss Lake Partners. The pipeline is expected to impact more than 3,000 landowners across Texas and is projected to be a massive 42-inch diameter pipeline that will operate under high pressure.
The proposed pipeline will extend from the Permian Basin, originating at a point near Red Bluff in Loving County, Texas, to a termination point near Moss Bluff in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. There will be nine compressor stations proposed for construction in Winkler, Midland, Sterling, Runnels, Brown, Coryell, Robertson, Walker, Ector, and Liberty counties in Texas; and six lateral pipelines totaling 65 miles.