EIS TO BE PREPARED FOR TEXAS DEEPWATER PORT

Backers of a proposed onshore port on Corpus Christi Bay for deepdraft oil tankers have begun the project's formal environmental permitting process for the Texas facility. Port of Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA) officials proposed the 750,000 b/d Safeharbor deepwater port as the best alternative to lightering of oil imports from very large crude carriers (VLCCs). PCCA in June disclosed in the Federal Register plans to begin drafting Safeharbor's environmental impact statement (EIS). The

Aug. 16, 1993

3 min read

Backers of a proposed onshore port on Corpus Christi Bay for deepdraft oil tankers have begun the project's formal environmental permitting process for the Texas facility.

Port of Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA) officials proposed the 750,000 b/d Safeharbor deepwater port as the best alternative to lightering of oil imports from very large crude carriers (VLCCs).

PCCA in June disclosed in the Federal Register plans to begin drafting Safeharbor's environmental impact statement (EIS). The draft EIS is expected to be available by August 1994 for public review.

In recent action, PCCA conducted an open meeting last week in Corpus Christi's Bayfront Plaza convention center to identify possible environmental issues raised by the deepdraft port project.

Issues raised at last week's meeting could be included among a list of environmental concerns to be covered by the EIS.

PCCA last May held a series of open workshops in the Corpus Christi area to air plans for and stimulate public discussion about Safeharbor.

The Safeharbor concept advanced through a prefeasibility study as one of the most economic, environmentally sound methods of moving imported oil ashore in the U.S. (OGJ, Mar. 25, 1991, p. 34). As it prepares the EIS during the next year, PCCA will compare Safeharbor's benefits and costs with alternatives, including lightering, an offshore monobuoy port, transshipment between tankers, and construction of an offshore island port.

SAFEHARBOR DESCRIBED

As conceived, Safeharbor project would include:

Dredging a channel about 10 miles long, 80 ft deep, and 500-700 ft wide.
Building two or more berthing docks for VLCCs on Harbor Island, across from Mustang Island on the Corpus Christi ship channel.
Building a tank farm and laying a pipeline to connect offloading and storage facilities.
Laying an oil pipeline from Safeharbor's site to Texas City, Tex., so the facility could be used by refiners in the Houston area.

Safeharbor proponents estimate about 50% of the deepdraft port's 750,000 b/d capacity would be used by refiners in and near Corpus Christi. The balance of oil imported through the facility could be shipped to other refiners along the Texas Gulf Coast.

In addition to being less environmentally risky than lightering, Safeharbor would decrease the possibility of oil spills from accidents resulting from cross-bay tanker traffic, proponents said.

Environmental issues raised by the proposal include:

Dredging and disposing of about 70 million cu vd of seabed material.
Preserving endangered species and ecosystems in project construction areas, dredging and disposal areas, and along pipeline corridors.
Possible changes to local hydrodynamic regimes, including salinity, storm and vessel surges, current patterns, and bay flushing.
Effects on fisheries and other economic activities.
Possible changes in demand for natural resources such as land, water, or energy.
Comparative risks of possible oil spills.

PCCA said qualified investigators will determine existing environmental conditions and study the significance and possible effects of each environmental issue raised.

PCCA and undisclosed industrial entities are scheduled to pay for preparation of Safeharbor's draft and final EIS.