The development of a new, large $1 billion dry gas pipeline gathering system designed to process more than 2 billion cubic feet per day of gas has been announced by MarkWest Energy Partners and The Energy & Minerals Group.

The plant will be supported by a long-term, fee - based contract with Ascent Resources, an E&P company with approximately 280 000 net acres of the prolific Utica and Marcellus shale fields.

“The Utica Shale includes some of the most productive and economic dry gas acreage in the United States and producers are quickly capitalizing on this tremendous opportunity. We are very excited to continue our strong partnership with EMG to provide Ascent and others with a premier gathering system, located in what may well be the most economic area of the Utica dry gas play,” commented Frank Semple, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of MarkWest. “Our system will be a critical new gathering option, and we anticipate total investment could exceed $1 billion over the next three years.”