Enterprise Products Partners Granted MARAD Port License For Biggest Offshore Oil Export Terminal In U.S.

Sea Port Terminal
Representation Image

Houston’s Enterprise Products Partners L.P. has reportedly made enormous progress in creating the nation’s largest offshore oil export terminal, the Sea Port Oil Terminal (SPOT), on receiving a deepwater port license from the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD).

The license permits Enterprise to proceed with the development of SPOT. Once operational, it is projected to load about two million crude oil barrels daily, making it the U.S.’s largest offshore oil export terminal.

With U.S. crude oil exports at about 4 million BPD, SPOT delivers a safer, more efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective way to provide crude oil to international markets.

The license receipt is the most critical milestone to date in the development and commercialization of SPOT, mentioned A.J. “Jim” Teague, the co-CEO of Enterprise’s general partner.

The licensing procedure involved collaboration with the state, federal, and local authorities, numerous public meetings, and environmental impact studies.

The project also yielded more than 30,000 pages of documentation.

The SPOT offshore platform, planned to be located approximately 30 nm off Brazoria County on the Texas coast, will function 24/7.

It will boast two Single Point Mooring (abbreviated SPM) buoys that can load two supertankers at once, at about 85,000 barrels an hour.

The platform is also expected to offer access to more than 40 distinct crude oil grades, including the Midland WTI, and greatly minimize emissions compared to the current industry practices.

Teague also estimates that SPOT can help reduce crude vapour emissions by 95% and lower greenhouse gases by 65%.

In 2024, after encountering lawsuits from environmental parties, a U.S. appeals court upheld the facility’s approval, stating that the Enterprise Products Partners facility had satisfied the environmental review criteria.

The project’s four-year ecological review, headed by MARAD and the U.S. Coast Guard, involved many federal agencies and obtained approvals from the State of Texas.

MARAD’s record of decision highlighted that the assignment is considered nationally significant owing to its potential benefits to employment, economic growth, and the resilience and security of the U.S. energy infrastructure.

The port will also reduce the ecological impact compared to other means of exporting U.S. crude.

Construction, along with the operation of an offshore export terminal and the installation of a vapour combustion system at the deepwater port, will minimize ship-to-ship crude oil transfers and, at the same time, reduce the emissions from traditional crude oil loading.

It stated that this would help provide a more efficient but less impactful crude oil transport hub in the U.S. offshore waters.

The port will also utilize the best available tech, incorporating features like autonomous shutdown valves, HIPPs, emergency shutdown, fire and gas detection, safety controls, and process control systems to maintain operational safety and security.

Enterprise Products Partners stated last year that it is eyeing a 2027 beginning date for the terminal.

Reference: Enterprise Product

Disclaimer :
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

Disclaimer :
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

About Author

Marine Insight News Network is a premier source for up-to-date, comprehensive, and insightful coverage of the maritime industry. Dedicated to offering the latest news, trends, and analyses in shipping, marine technology, regulations, and global maritime affairs, Marine Insight News Network prides itself on delivering accurate, engaging, and relevant information.

About Author

Marine Insight News Network is a premier source for up-to-date, comprehensive, and insightful coverage of the maritime industry. Dedicated to offering the latest news, trends, and analyses in shipping, marine technology, regulations, and global maritime affairs, Marine Insight News Network prides itself on delivering accurate, engaging, and relevant information.

Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction

Article Footer Banner
Article Footer Banner

Subscribe To Our Newsletters

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.

Web Stories

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *