Atlas Pipeline Partners LP announced the successful startup of its 200 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) Edward processing plant in the Permian Basin. The Edward plant raises the name-plate processing capacity of Atlas Pipeline’s WestTX system to 655 MMcf/d.

The initial utilization of the Edward plant has already exceeded Atlas Pipeline’s preliminary expectations, according to a statement from the company. The WestTX system is currently processing more than 515 MMcf/d, and the company expects that amount to increase through 2014 and the first half of 2015 to full system capacity by mid-2015. Around that time, the previously announced Buffalo plant would enter service, which would add another 200 MMcf/d of capacity to the WestTX system. Expected costs for both of the systems are expected to be about $100 million to $120 million each, not including field compression, gathering pipeline and well connection costs. Atlas Pipeline plans to add an incremental 200 MMcf/d processing plant each year for the next five years.