MARAD approves Energy Transfer's $1-billion Blue Marlin crude oil export port

MARAD approved Blue Marlin shortly after its approval of the $8.2-billion ST LNG project offshore Texas, as the agency pursues new procedures to streamline deepwater port licensing.

Cathy Landry

Nov. 13, 2026

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Rendering of Blue Marlin Offshore Port. — The Blue Marlin Offshore Port (BMOP) is a proposed deep water port project aimed at providing for loading of crude oil onto Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) and other tankers from a platform complex offshore Louisiana.

The US Maritime Administration (MARAD) approved Energy Transfer's $1-billion Blue Marlin offshore crude oil export project off Louisiana Nov. 5, marking the fourth oil and gas deepwater port approval under President Donald Trump's second administration.

The proposed Blue Marlin port would have capacity to export up to 2 million b/d of crude oil, with loading rates of up to 80,000 bbl/hr, including onto very large crude carriers (VLCCs). Located 99 miles off Cameron Parish, La., the project includes conversion of an existing 36-in. Stingray natural gas pipeline to transport crude oil from Energy Transfer's Nederland terminal in Texas to the offshore infrastructure.

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission previously authorized abandonment and sale of Stingray pipeline infrastructure for conversion to crude oil service. Energy Transfer has yet to receive final US Environmental Protection Agency air permits and certain state approvals.

The project's commercial development schedule remains uncertain.

MARAD approved Blue Marlin shortly after its Oct. 28 approval of the $8.2-billion ST LNG project offshore Texas, as the agency pursues new procedures to streamline deepwater port licensing. The Trump administration also has approved Delfin LNG, a floating LNG export project offshore Louisiana, and Texas GulfLink, a crude oil export project offshore Texas.

About the Author

Cathy Landry

Washington Correspondent

Cathy Landry has worked over 20 years as a journalist, including 17 years as an energy reporter with Platts News Service (now S&P Global) in Washington and London.

She has served as a wire-service reporter, general news and sports reporter for local newspapers and a feature writer for association and company publications.

Cathy has deep public policy experience, having worked 15 years in Washington energy circles.

She earned a master’s degree in government from The Johns Hopkins University and studied newspaper journalism and psychology at Syracuse University.