DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE:ETP) today announced it has entered into binding 10-year contracts with Denver-based EnCana Marketing (USA) Inc., a subsidiary of EnCana Corporation, and another shipper to transport natural gas on its previously announced Tiger Pipeline system. These new capacity commitments are in addition to the 15-year contract with Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., a subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, for 1.0 billion cubic feet per day, bringing total capacity commitments on the pipeline to not less than 1.5 billion cubic feet per day. ETP is continuing to negotiate with other shippers for capacity on the pipeline.

“Energy Transfer is excited to enter into these additional long-term commitments with producers who are actively drilling in the emerging Haynesville Shale,” said Lee Hanse, Senior Vice President - Interstate Pipeline Division. “The Haynesville Shale is one of the fastest growing natural gas fields in the United States and critical infrastructure is needed to provide takeaway capacity as well as to relieve growing constraints near the Carthage Hub. The construction of this pipeline will help to ensure that there will be significant pipeline capacity to meet the current and future needs of these producers.”

The approximate 180-mile Tiger Pipeline will connect to ETP’s dual 42” pipeline system near Carthage, Texas, extend through the heart of the Haynesville Shale and end near Delhi, Louisiana, with interconnects to at least seven interstate pipelines at various points in Louisiana that serve the Northeast, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest markets. The pipeline is anticipated to cost between $1.0 billion and $1.2 billion to construct, depending upon the final throughput capacity design. Pending necessary regulatory approvals, Tiger Pipeline is expected to be in service in the first half of 2011.

Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE:ETP) is a publicly traded partnership owning and operating a diversified portfolio of energy assets. ETP has pipeline operations in Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Utah, and owns the largest intrastate pipeline system in Texas. ETP’s natural gas operations include gathering and transportation pipelines, treating and processing assets and three storage facilities located in Texas. ETP currently has more than 17,500 miles of pipeline in service with another 500 miles under construction. ETP is also one of the three largest retail marketers of propane in the United States, serving more than one million customers across the country.

Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) is a publicly traded partnership, which owns the general partner of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and approximately 62.5 million ETP limited partner units.

For more information on the ETC Tiger Pipeline, visit www.tigerpipeline.com.

This press release may include certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management’s control. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in ETP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ETP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events.