MPLX, the midstream segment of Marathon Petroleum, has set a new record in its Natural Gas and NGL Services division, underscoring its continued growth and development. In late 2024, the company processed natural gas at a sustained rate of 10 billion cubic feet per day over a 24-hour period, marking the first time it had reached this significant milestone. MPLX has since repeated this achievement multiple times, processing approximately 10 percent of the daily natural gas production in the United States while handling an additional four percent through its gathering lines.
Expanding Operations Across Key Regions
MPLX continues to expand its footprint across key natural gas-producing regions, including the Permian Basin in West Texas and New Mexico. The Preakness processing plant is among the assets driving this growth, with the Secretariat plant expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2025. The addition of new processing plants in Pennsylvania and Texas has also contributed to the company’s increased capacity.
According to Gathering and Processing Strategy & Administrative Services Senior Director Chad Corcoran, the success of MPLX’s midstream operations is attributed to its ability to respond effectively to market conditions and its commitment to safety and reliability. Corcoran emphasized that strong customer retention and trusted partnerships have positioned MPLX as a midstream provider of choice.
“Safety and reliability have built our reputation. With this reputation, our producer customers have continued to put their trust in us to gather, treat, process, and move their products to market,” Corcoran said.
Industry Recognition and Commitment to Efficiency
MPLX’s industry leadership is further reflected in a 2024 survey conducted by Mastio & Company, in which 126 companies evaluated midstream service providers. MPLX ranked first among 63 providers in key categories such as system reliability, timely well connections, and trustworthiness.
Operational efficiency remains a priority for MPLX, with ongoing assessments to optimize energy use and reduce emissions. Vice President of Gathering and Processing Head of Operations, Jonathan Jackson, highlighted the company’s commitment to continuous improvement, noting that efficiency not only enhances production reliability but also reduces the environmental impact of operations.
MPLX’s dedication to energy efficiency has already yielded notable achievements. The Bluestone natural gas processing plant in Pennsylvania became the first facility of its kind to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Challenge for Industry, which requires a facility to reduce energy intensity by at least 10 percent over five years. Other MPLX facilities in Houston, Pennsylvania, and Sherwood, West Virginia, are currently pursuing similar recognition.
A Unified Approach to Operational Excellence
With operations spanning 14 states, MPLX’s Natural Gas and NGL Services segment benefits from a centralized service team that ensures consistent operational performance across its extensive asset base.
“We have a collection of centralized service teams who provide various support services across our asset base while helping ensure we’re operating at peak performance,” Corcoran said. “With all groups aligned on a common mission, we’re able to deliver on our commitments.”
MPLX’s continued expansion, operational excellence, and commitment to sustainability reinforce its position as a leader in the midstream energy sector.
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