Texas landowners already affected by the Matterhorn and Eiger pipeline projects may have another project to watch. Landowner rights attorney Phil Hundl with Land Rights Law discusses how the newly announced Solitude Pipeline Project could include two 48-inch natural gas pipelines along portions of the same corridor, potentially creating a corridor of four large-diameter pipelines across some properties. Although Solitude is still in its early stages, affected landowners should begin learning about the proposed project and how additional easements, temporary workspace, and facilities could impact their property.
What Is the Solitude Pipeline Project?
Solitude is a newly announced pipeline project associated with WhiteWater and other companies participating through a joint venture.
The project was announced in August 2026 and remains in an early stage. Based on information currently available within the industry, the project is expected to involve two 48-inch natural gas pipelines.
The Solitude project follows a series of pipeline projects involving WhiteWater that Texas landowners may recognize, including BANGL, Traverse, Bay Runner, Blackfin, Matterhorn and Eiger.
For landowners along the Matterhorn and Eiger corridor, Solitude is the latest project that deserves close attention.
Could Solitude Follow the Matterhorn and Eiger Pipeline Corridor?
That is one of the most important questions for potentially affected landowners.
The Eiger project is already paralleling the Matterhorn pipeline route for much of its path. Information concerning Solitude indicates that its two proposed pipelines could also be placed along portions of this same corridor.
If that happens, some properties could potentially be crossed by:
- A 42-inch Matterhorn pipeline
- A 48-inch Eiger pipeline
- A proposed 48-inch Solitude pipeline
- A second proposed 48-inch Solitude pipeline
If each of these pipelines involves approximately a 50-foot permanent easement, some properties could potentially have a pipeline corridor encompassing approximately 200 feet of permanent easement area, in addition to temporary workspace required during construction.
The actual impact on an individual property will depend upon the final route, easement configuration, and specific rights being requested.
Why Multiple Pipeline Easements Matter
Landowners sometimes ask why another pipeline would be constructed immediately beside an existing pipeline.
There are various explanations for using an established pipeline corridor. One argument is that locating pipelines together can reduce impacts elsewhere by concentrating infrastructure within an existing corridor.
For the individual property owner, however, another pipeline does not necessarily mean little or no additional impact.
Additional pipelines can mean more land devoted to permanent easements, more construction activity, additional restrictions on the property, and potentially greater effects on the remainder of the property.
When multiple large-diameter pipelines are located beside one another, landowners should consider the cumulative effect of the entire pipeline corridor, rather than looking at each pipeline in isolation.
If You Are Affected by Eiger, Pay Attention to Solitude
Landowners currently dealing with the Eiger project should pay particular attention to Solitude.
The Eiger project is considerably further along. Landowners have received initial and final offers, condemnation petitions have been filed in many cases, and Special Commissioners’ hearings are taking place.
Solitude, on the other hand, remains much earlier in the process.
If your property has been affected by Matterhorn and is now affected by Eiger, it is important to determine whether the proposed Solitude project could also cross your land.
Questions landowners may want answered include:
- Is my property within the proposed Solitude route?
- Will one or both Solitude pipelines cross my property?
- Where would the pipelines be located in relation to Matterhorn and Eiger?
- How much permanent easement will be requested?
- How much temporary workspace will be needed?
- Will additional temporary workspace be required for construction?
- Will the project require a valve site or metering station?
- Will temporary or permanent access roads be requested?
- How could the additional easements affect the remainder of my property?
At this stage, gathering information and understanding the proposed project are important first steps.
Don’t Assume Solitude Will Be the Same as Matterhorn or Eiger
Landowners who previously negotiated a Matterhorn easement or are currently dealing with Eiger may understandably assume the next pipeline will involve essentially the same terms and impacts.
That should not be taken for granted.
As we often tell landowners, the devil is in the details when it comes to pipeline easements.
One pipeline may only require an underground pipeline easement, while another project could require additional rights or facilities.
For example, a new project could potentially involve a metering station, valve site, permanent access road, or other surface facility that was not required for the earlier pipeline.
The amount and location of temporary workspace may also differ depending upon construction requirements.
Every proposed easement should therefore be evaluated based on the specific rights being requested and the particular impact on that property.
Permanent Easements and Temporary Workspace
Another important consideration is the difference between the permanent pipeline easement and the land that may temporarily be used during construction.
A permanent easement can continue to affect the property long after construction is completed. Temporary workspace may significantly increase the amount of land disturbed while construction is underway.
Certain construction activities can require even more temporary workspace.
Landowners should therefore understand not only the width and location of the proposed permanent easement, but also where temporary workspace will be located and how much of their property will be affected during construction.
What About Damage to the Remainder of the Property?
When evaluating a pipeline easement, the analysis does not necessarily stop at the boundaries of the permanent easement.
Depending on the property and proposed project, a pipeline easement can potentially affect the use or value of the remaining property.
That issue may become particularly important when multiple large-diameter pipelines are placed within the same corridor.
The relevant considerations will vary from property to property and may include the property’s current use, potential future use, configuration, location, and the specific easement rights being acquired.
Questions regarding compensation and damages to the remainder property are highly property-specific and should be evaluated based upon the facts of each situation.
Pay Attention to Valve Sites, Metering Stations and Access Roads
Pipeline diameter and easement width are only part of the picture.
Landowners should determine whether the project proposes any additional facilities or rights on their particular property.
For example, an earlier pipeline may not have required a metering station or valve site on a particular tract, while a later pipeline could.
A project could also require a temporary access road, permanent access road, or larger surface site.
This is another reason landowners should not assume that their experience with Matterhorn or Eiger will tell them exactly how Solitude may affect their property.
Pay attention to the details of what is actually being requested.
What Should Landowners Do Now?
Because the Solitude Pipeline Project is still in its early stages, there is much that remains to be learned about the proposed route, timing, construction plans, and specific easement requirements.
For potentially affected landowners, this is the time to begin gathering information.
Watch for survey requests and other communications concerning the project. Learn where the proposed route may be located in relation to your property. If you have already dealt with Matterhorn or Eiger, keep your previous easement agreements, plats, correspondence, and other documents readily available for comparison.
Most importantly, do not assume that the rights requested for Solitude will be identical to those associated with a previous pipeline.
Questions About the Solitude Pipeline Project and Your Property?
The Solitude Pipeline Project is another example of how quickly pipeline development can evolve in Texas.
Some landowners who previously dealt with Matterhorn are now dealing with Eiger—and could potentially find two more large-diameter pipelines proposed along the same corridor through Solitude.
If your property may be affected, learn as much as possible about the project and pay close attention to the specific rights being requested.
If you have received a survey request, easement offer, condemnation petition, or other communication concerning Solitude or another pipeline project, consider speaking with an attorney experienced in Texas eminent domain and condemnation matters before making decisions that could affect your property rights.
Land Rights Law PLLC helps Texas landowners understand their rights when their property is affected by pipelines, easements, eminent domain, and condemnation.
Visit TxCondemnationRights.com or LandRights-Law.com to learn more about Texas pipeline easements, the condemnation process, and Texas landowner rights.
Related Links
- Article on RBAC Inc website, “Solitude in a Crowded Room”
- Step 1A Texas Land Condemnation Process
- Diagram of Steps in the Condemnation Process
- Understanding the Scope of a Pipeline Project on Your Property
- Understanding Appraisals and Damages to the Remainder
- Above Ground Appurtenances
- Matterhorn posts on TxCondemnationRights.com
- Eiger posts on TxCondemnationRights.com
Call 800-266-4870 or text 979-320-9320 for an appointment. We can also arrange for online and telephone appointments all over Texas.