Enterprise’s Industry First at Houston Ship Channel

Enterprise Products Partners LP (Houston) revealed on July 14 it had successfully loaded combination cargoes of NGLs and olefins on the same vessel. During July, Enterprise completed the simultaneous loading of propane and polymer grade propylene into separate compartments on a VLGC at the Enterprise Houston Ship Channel terminal, as well as the simultaneous loading of ethane and ethylene on a vessel at its Morgan’s Point facility. Both vessels were the first export cargoes of their kind from the U.S. Co-loading olefins on larger vessels with NGLs allows for more efficient use of available export dock capacity, while also providing significant freight benefits to petrochemical export customers.

“This landmark accomplishment was made possible by our integrated midstream network, as well as the creativity and determination of our employees,” said A.J. (Jim) Teague, co-chief executive officer of Enterprise’s general partner. “Loading ethylene and propylene on larger vessels from the U.S. Gulf Coast substantially lowers freight costs and allows U.S. Gulf Coast producers to supply distant markets, such as Asia, more competitively. Enterprise continues to apply its proven midstream model to petrochemicals. Our reliable midstream services, including pipeline transportation, storage, processing, and exports, provide flexibility and reliability to our petrochemical customers so they can focus on their unique competitive advantages.”

Enterprise Products Partners LP’s services include: natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transportation, and storage; NGL transportation, fractionation, storage, and export and import terminals; crude oil gathering, transportation, storage, and export and import terminals; petrochemical and refined products transportation, storage, export and import terminals, and related services; and a marine transportation business that operates primarily on the U.S. inland and Intracoastal Waterway systems. The partnership’s assets include approximately 50,000 miles of pipelines; 260 MMbbl of storage capacity for NGLs, crude oil, refined products, and petrochemicals; and 14 Bcf of natural gas storage capacity.

SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, July 16, 2020. Weekly Propane Newsletter subscribers receive all the latest posted and spot prices from major terminals and refineries around the U.S. delivered to inboxes every week. Receive a center spread of posted prices with hundreds of postings updated each week, along with market analysis, insightful commentary, and much more not found elsewhere.