Eagle Ford executives are weighing in on the play's incredible growth, while addressing the challenges faced when operating there. Fractionation capacity will be the biggest hurdle encountered in the Eagle Ford shale next year, according to one industry executive. Richard Cargile, midstream president of Energy Transfer Partners, made the comment while speaking at the recent Hart Energy DUG Eagle Ford conference in San Antonio.

He said fractionation capacity will be the latest in a string of challenges in the Eagle Ford, which has held a reputation as an "infrastructure desert." When it first emerged as a viable play, midstream operators began tackling challenge after challenge, from transportation and storage, to gathering and processing.

Cargile likened those obstacles to the game Whack-A-Mole, where another problem pops up just as fast as its predecessor is hammered down.

"In 2013, fractionation capacity is going to be the biggest challenge," Cargile said. "It's going to be very difficult to produce your crude oil if you can't get rid of your residue. I believe residue capacity takeaway is going to be the last mole standing."

On a brighter note, Cargile also spoke to the incredible journey currently under way in the Eagle Ford. Shale plays overall are driving the U.S. economy, he said.

"Out of the 4 million jobs Washington says they have created, 2 million were created right here in the oil and gas industry," said Cargile. "Washington doesn't really create jobs. What really gets a country out of a recession typically starts with a technology. Shale technology has done this."

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Source: Howard Energy Partners

Speaking during the same midstream panel, two other Eagle Ford shale players said they're enjoying tremendous success in the play as they seek innovative and unique ways to operate.

Mike Howard, chief executive of Howard Energy Partners, said his company has grown rapidly since it was formed in 2011. The company has set itself apart in a few ways, including the acquisition of a construction company, and its plans to build a rail terminal.

Today, Howard Energy boasts approximately 500 miles of pipeline; some was acquired, and some built. A large chunk of the company's assets came in March 2012 when Howard Energy acquired 185 miles of South Texas pipeline from Meritage Midstream Services. In 2011, Howard Energy acquired Texas Pipeline LLC and the construction company Bottom Line Services.

"Bottom Line has been in business for the past 10 years in South Texas. They were in the Eagle Ford before the Eagle Ford was cool," said Howard. "They were making almost $50 million in revenue."

Howard Energy helped bump up the construction company's profits even more by giving the company the capital needed to buy more equipment, hire more people and open more offices. A management system was also set up and the focus was changed from working with midstream companies to upstream producers. Those changes have paid off.

"In 16 short months, we've seen these guys triple their revenue, and they've gone from roughly 300 employees to over 1,000 people now," said Howard. "They continue to amaze us."

Howard Energy is also planning to build a rail hub in Three Rivers, Texas, in partnership with Live Oak Railroad. The hub will be able to accept and ship out unit trains. "We are basically developing that whole project," said Howard. "We are open for business and are talking to numerous tenants right now."

Meantime, Brian Frederick, senior vice president of DCP Midstream's southern business unit, said his company is continuing to focus on its super systems as it works to expand its natural gas liquid (NGL) pipeline network. "When we're in an area, we try to have lots of different plants, lots of different gathering (systems) and lots of options," he said during a DUG Eagle Ford midstream panel. "We're focused not only on gathering and processing, but also on NGL pipeline."

Over the past few years, DCP has been busy working to expand its Eagle Ford presence. It upgraded plants that weren't originally designed for rich gas, for example, while adding things like propane refrigeration and liquid handling systems. It's also built more than 350 miles of 16- to 20-inch gathering pipeline throughout the Eagle Ford. A number of other projects are also on the go.

"Clearly the Eagle Ford is our crown jewel," said Frederick. "It's where a lot of activity is happening. We've got a lot of resources focused in the Eagle Ford."

Other changes could be afoot for the play after members of the Eagle Ford Taskforce submit position papers to Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter later this year. Frederick is a member of the taskforce, alongside a host of environmental groups, politicians, royalty owners, service companies and other industry leaders.

"Whether it's the elected officials, or even the environmental groups, they want to see the economic development (of the Eagle Ford)," said Frederick. "We're in this industry together. I'd encourage you to think about the communities you're working with, think about the landowners, think about doing things the right way, and we'll preserve this play for a long time to come."

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