This Article Brought to you By : Allstream Energy Partners, Leaders in Industrial Marketing
The Port of Corpus Christi has completed its multi-year Channel Improvement Project (CIP), a major infrastructure upgrade designed to support the region’s growth as a global energy export hub. The project deepened the ship channel from 47 to 54 feet and widened it from 400 to 530 feet, enabling safer two-way traffic for larger vessels and lowering transportation costs. These improvements significantly enhance the port’s ability to accommodate increased volumes of crude oil, LNG, and other energy commodities for export.
This milestone directly benefits EPIC Crude Holdings, which operates a long-haul crude oil pipeline system connecting the Permian and Eagle Ford basins to Corpus Christi. With access to two VLCC-capable export terminals and multiple refinery and dock options, EPIC Crude is strategically positioned to offer its customers premier market access and delivery flexibility. The company’s 600,000 barrels per day pipeline—expandable to 1 million—includes nearly 7 million barrels of operational storage and serves as a vital artery for U.S. crude exports.
Brian Freed, CEO of EPIC Crude, praised the long-standing partnership with the Port of Corpus Christi, noting that the improved channel has amplified EPIC’s capacity to safely and reliably transport over 600,000 barrels per day to the market. He emphasized that EPIC’s infrastructure supports efficient crude transport from the Delaware, Midland, and Eagle Ford basins to end markets, bolstering Corpus Christi’s status as the most economic export point in the Gulf.
EPIC’s Marine Terminal on the Inner Harbor of the ship channel offers a fully integrated “basin to water” solution and has been loading Aframax-sized tankers since 2019. As Corpus Christi continues to evolve into a premier global energy export hub, EPIC Crude stands out for its ability to connect producers with international buyers via high-capacity, flexible infrastructure and direct access to the Dated Brent market.
By: João Fernando
