Frequently Asked Questions

The Desert Southwest Pipeline Expansion Project is an interstate natural gas pipeline system that will transport up to 1.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas through approximately 516 miles of underground pipeline through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Additionally, the Desert Southwest expansion will make Transwestern’s Phoenix Lateral bi-directional, adding flexibility to move natural gas in both directions based on operational needs. The project also includes the installation of nine new compressor stations along the pipeline route.

Click here to view the FERC docket PF26-9-000

The four-year project has an estimated construction start date in the second quarter of 2028, resulting in an expected in-service date of the fourth quarter of 2029.

The purpose of the Desert Southwest Pipeline Expansion Project is to increase the amount of natural gas brought into Arizona and New Mexico from the Permian Basin. The pipeline will deliver natural gas to utilities with growing populations that need additional supply to meet the demands for increased power and electric generation. This gas will be used to heat our homes, fuel our kitchens, and provide critical fuel supply to support our domestic manufacturing and electric generation supply chains.

Energy Transfer will build and operate the pipeline, which will be an expansion of its Transwestern Pipeline system. Transwestern Pipeline Company LLC is a subsidiary of Energy Transfer that transports natural gas to markets in Arizona, Nevada, and California for local distribution companies, producers, marketers, electric power generators and industrial end-users.

Transwestern Pipeline has been safely operating since the 1960s, paying annual taxes that help support schools, hospitals, road construction and maintenance, and so much more.

The pipeline will financially benefit local communities via the use of goods and services during construction. It will also provide a direct benefit once in-service through annual ad valorem tax payments to the counties traversed by the project – approximately $35 million for its first-year in-service. Ad valorem taxes (primarily property taxes) are the main local funding source for a range of public services including schools, law enforcement, libraries, parks, hospitals, and more.

Additionally, the project will support approximately 5,000 construction jobs throughout the four-year construction process and an estimated 75 full-time positions.

The pipeline will be a minimum 3 feet below the surface and a minimum of 5 feet under road crossings. Horizontal Direction Drill (HDD) and bore techniques will be used under public roads and sensitive areas to safely mitigate ground surface disturbance.

As typical with natural gas transmission pipelines, the Desert Southwest Pipeline will have a permanent easement of 50 feet, plus approximately 75-100 feet of additional workspace during the construction phase.

Compensation is based on market value of the land in the area, as determined by professional appraisers, and covers permanent and temporary easements, as well as property damages. Studies show pipelines generally do not reduce property values, but if an appraisal indicates otherwise, that reduction will be included in the compensation.

Our goal is to reach fair, voluntary agreements, though legal options are available if needed. We are committed to being good neighbors and incorporating feedback from all relevant stakeholders in both the proposed route and the project’s overall design. While the project will have the right of eminent domain, it is only used as an absolute last resort.

At Energy Transfer, we value the trust and cooperation of landowners who make our projects possible. Every landowner is entitled by law to fair compensation, and all agreements are carefully outlined in a contract that we are fully committed to honoring.

Our goal is always to work together through open, respectful communication to reach voluntary easement agreements. When planning routes, we take great care to consider landowner feedback, environmental factors, and community needs – often following existing infrastructure to minimize disruption.

If an agreement can’t be reached, there are legal processes available, but we always aim to resolve matters collaboratively and fairly. After construction, we restore the land as close as possible to its original condition, with only limited maintenance needed to ensure safe operations.

Above all, we strive to minimize our impact and ensure that everyone is treated with fairness and respect.

A land agent is your main point of contact if your property is along the Desert Southwest Expansion Pipeline route. They will keep you informed about project updates and timelines, answer your questions, and share your feedback with Energy Transfer to ensure any concerns are addressed.

Pipelines are typically located well away from residences. The specific required distance can vary depending on federal, state, and local regulations, as well as the terms of the easement agreement. For natural gas transmission lines, the recommended minimum distance from a house is typically 50 feet. Any new structures must be built at least 25 feet away from the centerline of the Desert Southwest Expansion Pipeline, remaining clear of the 50-foot wide permanent easement.

In most cases, property owners can continue to use the pipeline right-of-way as they did before construction. Permanent structures or homes cannot be built within the permanent easement area. Agricultural activities like growing crops and pasturing livestock can resume once the land is ready.

To ensure safe, long-term operations, there are some restrictions:
• No permanent structures within the permanent easement.
• No trees planted within the 50-foot-wide permanent easement.

We work to minimize any impact on your property. We avoid mowing or clearing cultivated fields, and once construction and restoration are complete, you can continue farming the land as before. However, federal regulations require us to periodically mow or clear the right-of-way to maintain a clear visual line of sight for aerial inspections. Farmers will be compensated for crop loss related to the construction of the pipeline.

Compressor stations along the pipeline will adhere to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) regulations, which mandate that the average noise level from a compressor station does not exceed 55 decibels at the pre-existing nearest noise-sensitive areas, such as homes, schools, and hospitals. For context, a normal conversation is also around 55 decibels, while an automobile at 50 feet can generate noise up to 90 decibels.

Unfortunately, Desert Southwest Pipeline can’t provide an individual residential gas service as we’re not a local distribution company. We recommend you reach out to your local gas provider to inquire about residential service from their distribution lines.

Natural gas transmission pipelines are engineered with multiple layers of prevention and rapid response systems. They are built with high-strength materials, corrosion protection, and 24/7 monitoring systems that detect pressure or flow changes. Remote-operated and automatic valves can quickly isolate sections if a leak is suspected, while regular inspections, “smart pig” scans, and preventive maintenance help catch issues early.

We maintain detailed emergency response plans, including rapid shutdown procedures, public communication, and joint drills with local first responders. Public education and clear right-of-way signage further support quick reporting and safe community response.

Together, these design standards, monitoring technologies, and coordinated emergency plans are intended to protect people, property, and the environment.

Accidental damage from excavation is one of the biggest risks for pipeline operators. To prevent this, always call 811 before you dig near a pipeline. While pipeline leaks are rare, in the unlikely event one occurs, immediately call 911 and the company. We will then dispatch trained personnel to the site.