The Port of Corpus Christi Authority reached several milestones in the development of the crude oil export terminal on currently planned for Harbor Island, Texas.

Corpus Christi-based Lone Star Ports, LLC (Lone Star Ports) will lead the development of the Terminal, the first U.S. onshore export terminal servicing fully-laden Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), furthering the Port’s position as a global crude oil export hub. Lone Star Ports is a joint venture between The Carlyle Group and The Berry Group (Berry). Berry is the largest private employer in the Corpus Christi area through its numerous investments and operations in the oil and gas industry and its subsidiary Bay Ltd., a Corpus Christi-headquartered infrastructure, construction and fabrication contractor for the oil and gas sector. The Berry Group is led by directors Marvin Berry, Dennis Berry and Lawrence Berry.

Lone Star Ports is led by CEO Jeremiah “Jerry” Ashcroft III. Ashcroft has led the development of several large marine terminals, including the development and operations of BORCO and Hovensa/Limetree Bay. Most recently, Ashcroft served as President and CEO of EQT Midstream, which included three separate publicly-traded midstream platforms with a combined market capitalization of $11 billion. Ashcroft also served as CEO of Gulf Oil LP and President of three business units for Buckeye Partners, LP He began his energy career with Colonial Pipeline Company. Ashcroft is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 10 years.

Lone Star Ports has signed indicative agreements with Harvest Midstream and EPIC Crude Pipeline, which is backed by funds affiliated with Ares Management. These two pipelines will provide connectivity to more than 1 million barrels per day (mmbbls/d) of crude oil from the Permian and Eagle Ford basins in Texas. Lone Star Ports also entered into an indicative agreement with Martin Midstream Partners LP (Martin) for Martin to work with Lone Star Ports to provide a single, integrated VLCC solution on Harbor Island.

These agreements and arrangements remain subject to definitive documentation among the relevant parties, coordination with the Port, satisfactory completion of due diligence and final approval by each relevant party.

“Our partnership with the Carlyle Group is designed to assure global energy markets that requisite infrastructure will be in place and ready to support the growing exports of American crude oil. We are pleased with the progress The Carlyle Group has achieved thus far in reaching full project commercialization,” said Sean Strawbridge, CEO of the Port of Corpus Christi.

Key insights

  • Lone Star Ports, a Corpus Christi-headquartered company, to lead project development and operations
  • Lone Star Ports is a joint venture between The Carlyle Group and The Berry Group, the largest private employer in Corpus Christi
  • EPIC Crude Pipeline, backed by funds affiliated with Ares Management, and Harvest Midstream to interconnect with the facility, enabling connectivity to more than 1 million barrels per day of crude oil
  • Lone Star Ports and Martin Midstream Partners LP to establish an exclusive Very Large Crude Carriers solution on Harbor Island

For more information: As the leading U.S. crude oil export port and a major economic engine of Texas and the nation, Port Corpus Christi is the fourth largest port in the United States in total tonnage. Strategically located on the western Gulf of Mexico with a 36-mile, 47-foot (MLLW) deep channel, Port Corpus Christi is a major gateway to international and domestic maritime commerce. The Port has excellent railroad and highway network connectivity via three North American Class-1 railroads and two major interstate highways. With an outstanding staff overseen by its seven member commission, Port Corpus Christi is “Moving America’s Energy.” www.portcorpuschristi.com.

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