The first non-Texas crude pipelines connecting to the Port of Corpus Christi were announced by Phillips 66 on June 10 .The two new pipelines will bring oil and gas supplies from the Rocky Mountains and Bakken Formation in northwestern North Dakota through Cushing, Oklahoma, to the Coastal Bend for processing and exporting.

The Liberty Pipeline and Red Oak Pipeline are 50/50 joint ventures between Phillips 66 and Bridger Pipeline LLC and Plains All American Pipeline, respectively.

“The (Liberty) pipeline adds to our integrated infrastructure network that serves the key shale oil-producing regions with connectivity to major Gulf Coast market centers,” said Greg Garland, chairman and chief executive officer for Phillips 66. “The (Red Oak) pipeline provides a competitive outlet for shippers to access the key market centers along the Texas Gulf Coast from Cushing and the Permian (Basin).”

The 24-inch Liberty Pipeline will bring crude oil from both locations to Cushing, Oklahoma, where the 30-inch Red Oak Pipeline takes over to carry oil to the Permian Basin and Corpus Christi. Both must be permitted before construction can begin. Phillips 66 projects service could begin on the pipelines as early as spring 2021.

“These newly announced pipelines are pivotal developments in establishing the Port of Corpus Christi as the preferred gateway for U.S. crude exports,” said Sean Strawbridge, chief executive officer for the Port of Corpus Christi. “These lines will add new North American crude slates such as Bakken, Niobrara/DJ Basin, SCOOP & STACK to our already high-quality Permian and Eagle Ford barrels. The discerning Asian and European crude customer will certainly appreciate the expanded menu of options Corpus Christi provides when buying American crude oil.”

Exports of nearly $15 billion in crude oil have been predicted for 2019 by the Port of Corpus Christi. Now the third-largest port in the United States in terms of tonnage, it is engaged in a 10-year, $2 billion-plus capital expansion program in expectation of the demand for U.S. production to triple or even quadruple in the near future.

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