Subheadline: Western Midstream expects 2026 capital spending to finish slightly above its $850 million to $1 billion range and says its 2027 program will center on Delaware Basin growth, the Solitude Pipeline System investment and Powder River Basin commitments.
Published by Allstream Insiders
Allstream Insiders Summary
Western Midstream Partners expects its 2026 capital expenditures to finish slightly above the high end of its previously stated $850 million to $1 billion range, citing accelerating producer activity and the partnership’s investment in the Solitude Pipeline System.
According to Western Midstream’s November 4 results announcement, 2027 capital expenditures are expected to be relatively in line with 2026. The partnership said approximately 80% of next year’s capital program is expected to be directed to the Delaware Basin, including its Solitude investment and completion of North Loving II. Most of the balance is expected to support newly announced gathering-and-processing agreements in the Powder River Basin.
Western Midstream also said it expects the Pathfinder pipeline to start up and North Loving II to come online in 2027. The company did not disclose project budgets, capacities, routes, permits, specific construction schedules, engineering firms or contractor awards for either project in the November release.
The update is a capital-plan and project-status disclosure—not confirmation that all 2027 work has been authorized, contracted or placed into service.
Western Midstream’s announced capital and project outlook
| Item | Company-reported detail |
|---|---|
| 2026 capital-expenditure outlook | Slightly above the high end of the $850 million to $1 billion range |
| 2027 capital-expenditure outlook | Expected to be relatively in line with 2026 |
| Delaware Basin share of 2027 capital | Approximately 80% |
| 2027 projects named | Pathfinder start-up and North Loving II completion |
| Solitude ownership | 7.5% equity interest in the WhiteWater-operated joint venture |
| Solitude configuration | Two 48-inch natural-gas pipelines from the Permian Basin to Katy, Texas |
| Solitude initial capacity | Up to 2.25 Bcf/d in late 2029 |
| Solitude incremental capacity | Up to an additional 2.25 Bcf/d in 2030 |
| Powder River Basin | Most remaining 2027 capital expected to support new gathering-and-processing agreements |
2026 spending is expected to move above the prior range
Western Midstream said total capital expenditures for 2026 are now expected to be slightly above the high end of its $850 million to $1 billion guidance range. The company attributed the increase to capital needs associated with accelerating producer activity and its investment in Solitude.
The company reported $303.4 million of capital expenditures in the third quarter. That quarterly figure does not identify spending by project, basin, contractor or equipment type.
Western Midstream’s statement that spending will be above the range does not provide a final 2026 capital number. The company also did not allocate the incremental spending between Delaware Basin facilities, Powder River Basin work, Solitude or other assets.
Delaware Basin is expected to receive most 2027 capital
Western Midstream said the Delaware Basin will receive approximately 80% of its 2027 capital program. The partnership cited its investment in Solitude and the completion of North Loving II among the activity supporting that allocation.
The company also expects the Pathfinder pipeline to start up in 2027. Western Midstream did not disclose the pipeline’s capacity, route, project cost or in-service date beyond the stated year, nor did it identify the scope, capacity or schedule for North Loving II.
Those omissions are material. The announcement supports a 2027 project outlook but does not support conclusions about finalized construction milestones, supplier selections or specific procurement packages for Pathfinder or North Loving II.
Solitude expands the longer-term Permian takeaway plan
Western Midstream previously announced that it acquired a 7.5% equity interest in the WhiteWater-operated Solitude Pipeline System joint venture. The system consists of two 48-inch natural-gas pipelines extending from the Permian Basin to Katy, Texas.
According to the November results release, Solitude is designed to provide initial takeaway capacity of up to 2.25 Bcf/d in late 2029, followed by up to an additional 2.25 Bcf/d in 2030. These are reported planned capacities and timing targets, not a confirmation that construction is complete or that the pipelines are in service.
Western Midstream’s participation is an equity investment in a joint venture operated by WhiteWater. The company did not announce a separate Western Midstream construction contract, pipe order, compressor order or work package associated with the system.
Powder River Basin agreements support further gathering and processing work
Western Midstream said most of the 2027 capital not directed to the Delaware Basin is expected to support its new gathering-and-processing agreements in the Powder River Basin. In its August results release, the partnership said it had executed two agreements in the basin, adding approximately 270,000 dedicated acres and supporting natural-gas throughput growth in 2027.
That earlier disclosure said the agreements would require additional gathering capacity and compression facilities. The November release did not add a project budget, plant capacity, pipeline mileage, equipment list, site, construction schedule or contractor award.
What a midstream buildout could involve
Allstream perspective: If the stated capital programs move into detailed execution, gathering, processing and pipeline work can involve engineering and design; line pipe, valves, fittings, meters and regulators; compression packages, gas-treatment and processing equipment; pumps, motors and electrical systems; civil work, welding, coatings, insulation, scaffolding and access roads; horizontal directional drilling and other crossings; inspection, testing and commissioning; and equipment-rental, logistics and field-services support.
Those are potential categories of work for projects of this type, not disclosed Western Midstream or WhiteWater awards. The November announcement identifies capital priorities and expected milestones, but it does not identify a procurement schedule or contractors for the named assets.
Allstream perspective: a larger capital envelope, with project-level details still to come
Allstream perspective: The most decision-useful development is the combination of higher-than-previously-guided 2026 spending and a 2027 program expected to remain at a comparable level. Western Midstream has identified Delaware Basin activity as its primary growth driver, while also pointing to Powder River Basin gathering-and-processing commitments and the longer-dated Solitude takeaway system.
For contractors and suppliers, the next material signals will be final capital guidance, permits, project-specific specifications, interconnection and commissioning milestones, engineering and construction awards, and equipment orders. Until then, the reported capital plan should not be treated as a project-by-project award list or a confirmed construction budget for any one asset.
