Structural work accelerates as the plant takes shape to support growing Permian demand
Why it matters:
As natural gas production continues to grow in the Permian Basin, additional processing capacity is critical to keep energy flowing reliably to customers and markets. Projects like Iron Mesa help ensure that raw natural gas can be safely processed into usable products, supporting energy demand while strengthening Phillips 66’s long-term Midstream network.
Plants like Iron Mesa take raw natural gas from the wellhead, remove impurities and separate it into products such as pipeline-quality gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) used in everyday items like heating fuel, plastics and chemicals.
Construction progresses with strong safety performance
Structural steel is rising, and foundation work is advancing across the footprint, creating visible progress. The project has now logged more than 77,000 safe work hours and remains on track with its schedule and budget, reflecting strong execution in the field as construction progresses.
“Iron Mesa is a clear example of how we’re investing to serve our customers safely, reliably and for the long term.
Every hour worked on this project brings us closer to delivering the critical processing capacity our customers need, when and where they need it.”
Todd Tannory
Senior vice president, midstream operations, Phillips 66
The team is preparing for the first major equipment lift later this year. This milestone includes installation of a processing tower used to separate components of the natural gas stream— a key milestone toward start-up.
“Iron Mesa is about disciplined execution and doing things the right way,” said Chris Lamattina, Senior Project Manager.
Expanding capacity to serve customers
Iron Mesa will strengthen Phillips 66’s Midstream footprint by providing additional flexibility to treat, process and deliver natural gas and liquids to market. This new plant will be tied into the larger Phillips 66 “super system” of gathering pipelines and plants in the Permian Basin. This expansive network of pipelines allows for multiple routes and processing options for customers’ gas, enabling strong flow assurance for producers.
A growing footprint in the Permian
Iron Mesa is part of a broader, long-term buildout of the Phillips 66 Midstream platform in the Permian Basin—one of the most active energy-producing regions in the United States.
Phillips 66 expanded its gas processing capacity last year by bringing Dos Picos II Plant online, processing 220 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of natural gas in the Midland Basin. This move, along with expanded gathering pipelines and long-haul pipeline capacity, doubled throughput from the Dos Picos Gas Plant to 440 MMscfd, enhancing the company’s ability to handle rich Permian gas at scale.
With the upcoming 300 MMscfd Iron Mesa plant, Phillips 66 is poised for growth in the Midland and Delaware basins. These projects boost flexibility, enabling efficient transport of natural gas and NGLs to Gulf Coast markets and Sweeny Hub, helping customers reach the right markets, at the right time, with the right products.