ONEOK Partners' natural gas gathering and processing segment gathers, compresses and transports raw natural gas through pipelines to our processing facilities for the removal of water vapor, solids and other contaminants and the extraction of valuable natural gas liquids. The liquids in the form of a mixed NGL stream are generally shipped to fractionators, where by applying heat and pressure, the mixed NGL stream is separated into marketable products and sold to refineries or local markets. The remaining residue gas, which consists primarily of methane, is compressed and delivered to natural gas pipelines for transportation to the end user.

The natural gas gathering and processing segment operates more than 14,300 miles of gathering pipelines and has a capacity to process 0.7 billion cubic feet of gas per day.

The natural gas gathering and processing segment includes the following:

• Bear Paw Energy, L.L.C.
• Crestone Energy Ventures
  • 49% interest in Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C.
  • 37% interest in Fort Union Gas Gathering, L.L.C.
  • 35% interest in Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C.
• ONEOK Field Services, L.L.C.
• ONEOK Midstream Gas Supply, L.L.C.
• ONEOK VESCO Holdings, L.L.C.
  • 10% interest in Venice Energy Services Company, L.L.C.

The following information is provided in support of ONEOK Partners margin estimates for its gathering and processing segment -- Margin Estimates (PDF).