On. Sept. 29, Saddle Butte Rockies Midstream LLC said the binding open season for its Rockies South Pipeline began. The new interstate pipeline is designed to transport several grades of crude oil and condensate from the Denver-Julesburg Basin to points in Cushing, Okla. Saddle Butte has been negotiating commitments on the pipeline for the last several months with potential shippers, the company added.

The pipeline would extend about 600 miles from receipt points in Weld County, Colo., to terminate in Cushing. Saddle Butte is making its network of storage assets, at Cushing, available to committed shippers, the company said.

The project’s current design capacity allows for a total transport capacity of roughly 250,000 barrels per day. If sufficient commitments are received in the open season, this will be increased, the company noted.

If the open season is successful and the project receives all necessary permits and approvals, the pipeline is expected to be operational in third-quarter 2016.

The open season started on Sept. 29 and will close at 5 p.m. Mountain time on Oct. 29.