When four young oil and gas bucks launched a small midstream startup in 2014, all eight eyeballs were focused on setting up camp in the Permian Delaware. To say a lot has changed since then, especially in the last five years, would be a gross understatement when describing Fort Worth-based Brazos Midstream. Through acquisitions and growth projects, the company by 2017 became one of the Delaware’s largest privately held natural gas and crude oil midstream operators. Then came 2021 and the beginning of the Big Switch.

Reese Energy Consulting today is following the latest news from Brazos, which in late 2021 announced two major transactions that would ultimately reshape its future. The first a $93 million deal for Rattler Midstream’s Pecos Gas Gathering System in the Delaware, adding to Brazos’ already sizeable footprint. The second, a $54 million deal for Diamondback Energy’s Mustang Springs gas gathering system with a welcome mat to the Permian Midland.

That first tiptoe into the Midland soon turned into a giant leap for Brazos, becoming the largest privately owned midstream platform there. New growth projects have led the way to its big Permian switch from the Delaware to the Midland. The company in June waved so-long to its Delaware midstream position, handing the keys to Western Midstream Partners in a $1.6 billion deal.

Brazos, which operates 325 miles of natural gas gathering pipe and 700 MMCFD of total combined processing capacity, is currently under construction on the 300 MMCFD capacity Cassidy 1 gas plant slated for completion by end of year. The company has now announced plans to build the 300 MMCFD capacity Cassidy 2, with operations expected next summer.