Permitting Fight Threatens Progress on Blackfin’s 193-Mile Texas Pipeline

Conroe officials may revoke permits for Blackfin Pipeline’s compressor station after a judge halted construction, citing zoning conflicts and community concerns.

(P&GJ) — The City of Conroe is preparing to vote on whether to revoke previously approved permits for the construction of a Blackfin Pipeline natural gas compressor station, following a court-ordered suspension of the project, Your Conroe News reported.

The move comes after Montgomery County Judge Vince Santini issued a temporary injunction on Sept. 15, effectively pausing development of the high-pressure facility. The injunction stemmed from a lawsuit filed in July by Bartholet Home Furnishings, a nearby business that argued the compressor’s location—just yards from its property—violated local restrictions and posed safety concerns.

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In his ruling, Santini said Blackfin Pipeline LLC “made a calculated decision” to build within an area covered by restrictive covenants despite exploring other potential sites. The court order will remain in place until the case proceeds to trial in May 2026, according to Your Conroe News.

The Conroe site is one of four compressor stations planned along the 193-mile Blackfin Pipeline, a project developed by Austin-based WhiteWater Midstream. The system is designed to move up to 3.5 Bcf/d of natural gas from Colorado County to Jasper County, crossing several East Texas counties including Montgomery, Liberty, and Hardin.

City officials are expected to discuss the matter during a council meeting on Oct. 9, where they may consider formally rescinding all local permits for the facility.