Natural gas pipeline planned to pass through Burnet County; community meeting Feb. 11
This map shows the general route of the planned Eiger Express Pipeline through Burnet County. Courtesy image
The Eiger Express Pipeline would take a 450-mile route, transporting natural gas from West Texas to East Texas, and pass through northeast Burnet County according to current plans for the project.
A community stakeholder meeting is planned for 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Burnet, 810 S. Water Street.
According to Burnet County Judge Bryan Wilson, notice of the project was received by priority mail on the afternoon of Friday, Feb. 6. He told DailyTrib that this was the first notice he had been given and the first communication he had received regarding the pipeline project.
“This is just another example of Burnet Country being used for the industrialization of the state,” he said. “It is important for residents to be aware of this.”
Wilson is referring to other major projects slated for Burnet County, like the proposed Bell County East to Big Hill 765 kV Transmission Line, Asphalt Inc.’s proposed 715-acre rock quarry, and an aggregate railroad project.
About 97 percent of the proposed private pipeline would use existing rights of way and follow other pipelines that are already in the ground.
According to the project’s website, the pipeline is needed to increase transportation volume of natural gas from the Permian Basin region of West Texas to transportation facilities and end markets near Houston.
Pending regulatory approval, the pipeline is projected to come online mid-2028 with construction beginning in 2027.
The project and limited information about its route were initially announced in August 2025. It is a joint venture between ONEOK Inc., Whitewater, MPLX, and Endbridge Inc. The group is also responsible for the existing Matterhorn Express Pipeline, which came online in November 2024 and also passes through Burnet County.
Key takeaways
- According to the project’s website, the pipeline is needed to increase transportation volume of natural gas from the Permian Basin region of West Texas to transportation facilities and end markets near Houston.
- If you have not yet been contacted by representatives from the project, your property may not be impacted. Contact the Eiger group with questions through its contact portal here.
- Here is a direct quote from the project’s website regarding the potential use of eminent domain: “While the project does have the right of eminent domain, it is only used as an absolute last resort. We are committed to being good neighbors and incorporating feedback from all relevant stakeholders in both the proposed route and the project’s overall design.”
- The size of the pipe will vary depending on location, reaching up to 48 inches in diameter. It will be buried at least 3 feet underground and at least 5 feet under road crossings.
- The pipeline will be within a 50-foot easement, with an additional 75 feet of workspace during the construction phase.