The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD), an agency within the federal Department of Transportation, has awarded a deepwater port license to Enterprise Products Partners for the 2 mb/d Sea Port Oil Terminal, located 30 nautical miles (56 km) off the Brazoria County, Texas coast. The license authorises Enterprise to start building the offshore terminal capable of loading 2 mb/d of crude oil. Commissioning could take in place in 2027.
The project is designed to load very large crude carrier and other crude oil tankers up to a rate of 85,000 bbl/hour. In addition, dual 36-inch (91 cm) diameter, bi-directional pipelines would be built that connect to the company’s new Oyster Creek crude oil terminal in Brazoria County that would be constructed approximately 10 miles (16 km) inland.
The United States, which is the world's largest oil producer, produced 19.2 mb/d in 2023 (+11% compared to 2022). Less than a quarter of the country’s output is exported (4.5 mb/d in 2023, +12% compared to 2022).