Phillips 66 reported that its Freeport LPG export terminal in Freeport, Tex., is fully operational after the loading of its first contracted cargo. The Commander, a very large gas carrier, departed the terminal on Dec. 16.
The Freeport LPG terminal can simultaneously load two ships with refrigerated propane and butane at a combined rate of 36,000 bbl/hr. Supply is sourced from Phillips 66 Partners’ Sweeny fractionator and Clemens storage facility, which is connected by pipeline to the Mont Belvieu Hub.
The export facility was developed to satisfy the growing international demand for affordable US NGL. Expecting US production to continue to grow, Phillips 66 says it’s evaluating additional NGL fractionation and infrastructure alternatives along the US Gulf Coast.
“The new [LPG] export terminal gives customers the ability to place multigrade LPG products directly into global markets through Port Freeport, which provides immediate blue water access with minimal congestion,” said Greg Garland, Phillips 66 chairman and chief executive officer.
He noted the startup “is the culmination of a 4-year effort to develop a new US Gulf Coast [NGL] market hub that also includes Phillips 66 Partners’ 100,000-[b/d] Sweeny fractionator and 7.5 million-[bbl] Clemens storage facility.”