NuStar Energy LP has signed a long-term agreement allowing Occidental Petroleum Corp. to ship NGL on NuStar’s currently idled, 200-mile, 12-in. OD pipeline between Mont Belvieu and Corpus Christi, Tex. NuStar has begun work to reactivate the line, reverse its flow and convert it from refined products service to NGL service.
The pipeline can move about 110,000 b/d north from Corpus Christi. Oxy will use a majority of the line’s capacity to transport NGL via an interconnect with an Oxy pipeline to the Oxy Ingleside Energy Center export terminal in Ingleside, Tex. NuStar will continue to market any remaining capacity on the pipeline.
NuStar expects the project to be completed and in full operation second-quarter 2015, with operations at reduced rates possible this year.