Milbank LLP advised First Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC in a joint venture arrangement among WhiteWater Midstream (“WhiteWater”) (backed by the First Infrastructure Capital investment fund), an affiliate of MPLX LP and an existing joint venture between Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners and West Texas Gas, Inc. for the design, construction and ownership of the Whistler Pipeline.
The Whistler Pipeline, an intrastate natural gas pipeline in Texas, will transport approximately 2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas through an approximately 475-mile, 42-inch pipeline. The pipeline’s supply will be sourced from upstream connections in the Permian Basin and a direct connection to the 1.4 Bcf/d Agua Blanca Pipeline, a Delaware Basin intrastate natural gas pipeline system and a joint venture between WhiteWater, MPLX and Targa. The pipeline will run from Waha, Texas to Agua Dulce, Texas and provide direct access for South Texas markets and consumers.
The Milbank team was led by Corporate partner John Franchini with associates Aaron Stine and Amanda Goodhart. Advice was also provided by Project, Energy and Infrastructure Finance partner Jonathan Green with associates Jeeseon Ahn and Aqsa Mahmud; and Tax partner Max Goodman with associate Jules Mugema.
Mr. Franchini previously led the Milbank team that advised First Infrastructure Capital in its acquisition of WhiteWater, including WhiteWater’s 60% stake in Agua Blanca, a Delaware Basin intrastate natural gas pipeline system, which closed in the first quarter of 2019.
The Whistler Pipeline is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2021, pending regulatory approval.
