Epic Crude Holdings LP loaded the first shipment of crude oil from its IGC marine terminal on the inner harbor of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. The IGC terminal, formerly the International Grain Port Terminal, was repurposed by Epic beginning in June 2019 to export crude oil while the company’s larger export terminal is still under construction.
Once complete, Epic’s marine terminal will consist of two separate docks: the West Dock and the East Dock. The West Dock, IGC, can load up to Aframax-sized tankers (750,000 bbl) at a maximum rate of 20,000 bbl/hr. The East Dock, adjacent to the West Dock, is a greenfield dock that will load up to Suezmax-sized tankers (1 million bbl) at a maximum rate of 40,000 bbl/hr. Epic expects the East Dock to enter service third-quarter 2020.
Epic in October launched a third open season for its Epic Crude Oil Pipeline, closing Dec. 17. The crude pipeline runs parallel to the Epic Y-Grade Pipeline from Orla, Tex., to the Port of Corpus Christi and includes terminals in Orla, Saragosa, Crane, Wink, Midland, Upton, Hobson, and Gardendale, with connectivity to the Corpus refining market as well as multiple terminals in the Port of Corpus Christi for export access. The crude pipeline services Delaware, Midland, and Eagle Ford basins.
EPIC began interim crude operations in August 2019, using the 24-in. OD Y-grade pipeline, which can ship up to 400,000 b/d from Crane, Tex., to terminals in Corpus Christi and Ingleside. Once the planned 30-in. OD crude pipeline is completed in first-quarter 2020, Epic will have initial capacity to transport 600,000 b/d. The crude pipeline is expandable up to 900,000 b/d.