By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 21 -- Mobil Pipe Line Co., an affiliate of ExxonMobil Pipeline Co., has reversed flow and begun delivering Canadian crude through its 858-mile pipeline between Patoka, Ill., and Nederland, Tex.
Refineries around Beaumont began receiving crude from the pipeline early in April.
ExxonMobil Pipeline Pres. Mike Tudor said Canadian shippers had committed an average 50,000 b/d of crude for 5 years.
"In light of the high shipper interest, we anticipate that the pipeline will operate on average near its estimated capacity of 66,000 b/d in heavy crude service," he said.
ExxonMobil opening of the pipeline gives producers in western Canada their first direct pipeline access to the Gulf Coast.
The 648-mile segment of the 20-in. pipeline between Patoka and Corsicana, Tex., had been idle for several years. The other segment had been moving mostly foreign crude from Nederland to Corsicana for delivery in Texas and Oklahoma.
