The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved the Blue Marlin deep-water crude oil export facility, which will be located about 99 miles off Cameron Parish, Port Technology reports.
Announced Nov. 5 by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the project will have the capacity to export up to 2 million barrels of crude oil per day, or 80,000 barrels per hour. It is the second deepwater crude export facility approved since President Donald Trump’s executive order on unleashing American energy.Â
The project is expected to support up to 1,052 construction jobs and expand the nation’s ability to accommodate very large crude carriers, or VLCCs, which will be able to load directly offshore in deep water. Federal officials say this approach will ease congestion at inland ports, reduce the risk of vessel collisions and other incidents, and improve the efficiency of U.S. crude exports.Â
The facility will use a combination of existing and converted offshore platform infrastructure, with crude oil delivered through a dedicated pipeline network connecting major inland supply hubs in Texas, including the Nederland Terminal area, and southwest Louisiana. Officials say the exports will strengthen energy supply lines and support the energy security of U.S. allies.Â
The Maritime Administration and Coast Guard reviewed the project alongside other federal agencies and the states of Louisiana and Texas, concluding that it meets strict federal safety and security standards. The approval marks the Trump administration’s fourth deep-water port authorization.
