Sentinel Midstream has signed agreements with Freepoint Commodities to advance the construction, operation, and utilization of the Texas GulfLink terminal, located off the coast of Freeport, Texas.

The deepwater crude oil export facility will have the capacity to fully load very large crude carrier vessels (VLCCs).

David Messer – Freepoint CEO said: “Freepoint recognizes the significant experience that the Texas GulfLink team has in deepwater port projects and the team’s ability to construct and operate to the highest standards.

“The Texas GulfLink project will help meet the demands our customers have to reliably source US crude oil through a neutral infrastructure export option.”

The Texas GulfLink terminal will comprise an onshore crude oil storage terminal that will be linked by a 42 inch pipeline to a manned offshore platform nearly 30 miles off the Gulf Coast.

From the offshore platform, the oil will be transported to a couple of single point mooring buoys to enable the very large crude carrier vessels to receive two million barrels of crude oil with loading rating capacity of up to 85,000 barrels per hour.

The offshore platform will have 24/7 monitoring, which is expected to offer shippers a safe and reliable mooring operation for the very large crude carrier vessels and also other crude carrier vessels.

Jeff Ballard – Sentinel Midstream President and CEO said: “We are pleased with the additional level of commercial support that Freepoint’s involvement will provide to Texas GulfLink.  As the project continues to move forward with the deepwater crude oil license application process, Sentinel is excited that Freepoint has chosen to align with Texas GulfLink and will utilize their substantial global and commercial resources to create value for their customers.

“Through their Asian market focus, Freepoint will lead efforts to meet the growing demand from Asian refineries for US produced crude oil.”

  David Messer, Freepoint Commodities, Freeport, Jeff Ballard, Sentinel Midstream, Texas, Texas GulfLink terminal, USA