Enterprise to expand LPG export facility in US

Enterprise Products Partners plans to expand liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export terminal at Oiltanking’s complex on the Houston Ship Channel in US.

The expanded LPG terminal will be supported by a 50-year service agreement with Oiltanking Partners to provide additional dock space and related services.

The terminal, which will be supported by long-term LPG export agreements, is expected to be in service by the end of 2015.

Enterprise will have aggregate capacity to load in excess of 16 million barrels per month of low-ethane propane and butane, upon completion of the expanded facilities.

The expansion is expected to result in more capacity than previously anticipated and is in lieu of a second LPG terminal announced in October 2013.

Enterprise’s general partner CEO Michael Creel said: "The decision to expand at Oiltanking was directly attributable to our joint experience of loading LPG vessels on the Houston Ship Channel and our 33-year relationship with Oiltanking. Demand for both current and future LPG exports continues to be strong.

"Depending on the outcome of these discussions, estimated ethane export demand and ship draft requirements, we expect the ethane export facility will be sited either adjacent to our refined products export terminal in Beaumont or on the Houston Ship Channel."

Enterprise has around 51,000 miles of onshore and offshore pipelines and 200 million barrels of storage capacity for NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals, as well as 14 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage capacity.

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Image: Enterprise to expand LPG export terminal at Oiltanking’s complex on Houston Ship Channel. Photo: courtesy of Victor Habbick/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.