Magellan Midstream and LBC Tank Terminals Form 50/50 Joint Venture to Build Terminal and Pipeline Infrastructure on the Houston Gulf Coast
Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. (MMP) (“Magellan”) and LBC Tank Terminals, LLC (“LBC”) announced today that they have formed a 50/50 limited liability company Seabrook Logistics, LLC (“JV”), to own and operate crude oil storage and pipeline infrastructure in the Houston Gulf Coast area.
The assets to be constructed and owned by the JV include over 700,000 barrels of new crude oil storage and other distribution infrastructure located adjacent to LBC’s existing terminal in Seabrook, TX. In addition, the JV will construct and own a new 18-inch diameter pipeline, which will connect the new storage to an existing third party pipeline that will transport crude oil to a Houston-area refinery. An agreement has also been executed to allow the JV to utilize LBC’s dock suitable for industry standard Aframax vessels with up to a 45-foot draft and two barge docks, which will provide efficient marine access with flexible loading and unloading services at the Seabrook facility.
“Magellan is excited about developing a new project with LBC in the Houston market to provide a cost efficient and reliable option to store, transport and distribute crude oil along the Gulf Coast,” said Michael Mears, Magellan’s president and chief executive officer. “We also see growth opportunities at this new facility through the potential connection and integration of this terminal into Magellan’s Houston crude oil and refined products pipeline systems.”
“LBC is pleased to enter into this joint venture with Magellan. This expansion of our Houston area terminal is an important step in LBC’s growth strategy,” said Walter Wattenbergh, LBC’s chief executive officer. “We look forward to executing this project as a part of our expansion plans in the crude and refined products markets in the U.S.”
The project is currently estimated to cost approximately $95 million and is supported by a long-term storage and transportation commitment with a major refiner. Magellan will be responsible for constructing, maintaining and operating the new pipeline, and LBC will be responsible for constructing, maintaining and operating the new storage tanks and other terminal assets.
Subject to the receipt of permits and regulatory approvals, the new storage facility and pipeline infrastructure are expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2017.
