Enterprise to expand NGL export facility at Houston Ship Channel terminal

HOUSTON - Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE: EPD) has announced that it will expand the partnership’s natural gas liquids (NGLs) import/export terminal on the Houston Ship Channel.

The expansion project is expected to nearly double the fully refrigerated export loading capacity for propane and other NGLs at the facility to more than 10,000 barrels per hour (b/h), while enhancing its ability to load multiple vessels simultaneously. The expansion is expected to be completed in the second half of 2012.

“During the past two years, we have had record demand for our NGL export services driven by increased global demand for NGLs in substitution of more expensive crude oil derivatives,” said Michael A. Creel, Enterprise president and chief executive officer.

“Capacity at our NGL export terminal, which is the highest rated facility of its kind in the United States, is sold out for 2011 and virtually sold out for 2012. This expansion will be timely and very cost efficient. Our existing NGL storage and pipeline infrastructure is sufficient to support the export terminal expansion, which will be key in allowing us to meet the projected demand growth and further solidifying the Enterprise terminal as the preferred NGL export location throughout the Gulf Coast.”

The expansion of the partnership’s NGL fractionation facilities at Mont Belvieu complements the terminal’s export capabilities. Among the critical services demanded by Enterprise customers is the ability to handle propane containing less than 2.5 percent ethane.