Enterprise Product Partners Receives Deepwater Port License
for SPOT on Texas Gulf Coast
Enterprise Product Partners L.P. (EPD), a leader in the energy industry, has reached a significant milestone in constructing the Sea Port Oil Terminal (SPOT) on the Texas Gulf Coast. The company recently secured a deepwater port license from the U.S. Department of Transportation with the purpose of advancing and reinforcing the Gulf Coast’s oil infrastructure.
SPOT: A “Green” Gateway to Global Markets
SPOT seeks to offer a safer, greener, and more cost-effective solution to meet growing global energy demands. Currently, U.S. crude oil exports hover around 4 million barrels per day (b/d). With SPOT’s impressive capacity of 2 million b/d, the facility is intended to alleviate export bottlenecks and enhance the country’s position as a global energy leader.
By prioritizing environmental sustainability, SPOT is intended to minimize ship-to-ship oil transfers, significantly reducing emissions. Additionally, the platform’s cutting-edge technology is intended to cut crude vapor emissions by 95%, and total greenhouse gases by 65%,.
Collaboration and Transparency
Enterprise worked closely with federal, state, and local authorities throughout the licensing process. With over 30,000 pages of documentation, the project required meticulous planning, commitment to addressing environmental concerns, public outreach and stakeholder engagement to successfully complete.
Located 30 nautical miles off the Brazoria County coast, SPOT’s offshore platform will accommodate Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) as well as other tanker types. The platform features a loading rate of up to 85,000 barrels per hour, and connects to Enterprise’s extensive midstream network, which includes the ECHO (Enterprise Crude Houston) terminal. This connection offers access to over 40 crude oil grades.
The approval of SPOT is expected to be a milestone achievement for Enterprise Product Partners, and the energy sector as a whole. Enhancing export capacity, prioritizing sustainability, and setting new standards for operational excellence, it is hoped that SPOT is in position to become a critical driver of global energy markets.
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11/27/2024
