Silver Hill Advances Texas Gas Project Under FAST-41
Silver Hill Energy Partners has advanced its Cobra natural gas project in East Texas into construction after securing federal approvals through the FAST-41 permitting process.
(P&GJ) — Silver Hill Energy Partners has begun construction on its Cobra Master Development Plan in East Texas after securing federal approvals through the FAST-41 permitting process, which the company said reduced the project's permitting timeline to less than one year.
Located in Shelby County, Texas, the project includes a 20-inch natural gas pipeline, associated infrastructure within the Sabine National Forest, and up to four well pads supporting as many as 24 natural gas wells on existing federal mineral leases.
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Silver Hill worked with engineering and environmental consulting firm Reagan Smith to coordinate permitting with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management under the federal FAST-41 program, which is designed to improve coordination for major infrastructure projects requiring multiple federal approvals.
Company officials said the streamlined review process allowed the project to move into construction more quickly than a traditional federal permitting schedule.
"Projects of this scope historically can take two to three years to permit," said Monica Smith Griffin, president and CEO of Reagan Smith. "Through FAST-41 coverage, coordinated review by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, and Silver Hill's commitment to responsible development, Cobra completed permitting in under a year and is now under construction."
FAST-41 establishes coordinated permitting schedules and interagency reviews for eligible infrastructure projects but does not replace environmental reviews required under federal law.
"The FAST-41 process demonstrates what is possible when participating agencies are aligned early, remain actively engaged and commit to a shared outcome," said Jason Gordeuk, senior vice president of operations and drilling at Silver Hill Energy Partners.
The Cobra project is expected to support natural gas development on existing federal leases in East Texas for the next 10 to 15 years, according to the companies.