<article><p class="lead">Buckeye has started crude export operations at its South Texas Gateway marine terminal in Corpus Christi, Texas. </p><p>The company started loading crude on an Aframax vessel today, following the first deliveries of crude in June from one of four pipelines that will supply the facility. </p><p>Marine operations are expected to ramp up through the end of this year as additional phases of construction are completed.</p><p>The terminal will include two deepwater docks capable of loading very large crude carriers (VLCC) and about 8.6mn bl of storage. It will have up to 800,000 b/d of throughput capacity. </p><p>South Texas Gateway is a joint venture with Phillips 66 Partners and Marathon Petroleum, who each own 25pc. </p><p>Spot trade <a href="http://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2112998">started last month</a> at the facility in anticipation of its start-up. Hilcorp Energy said in June it had <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2117423">completed construction</a> of a 600,000 b/d crude pipeline that will connect to marine export terminals at Corpus Christi including South Texas Gateway. </p><p>Corpus Christi is becoming an increasingly important hub to export US crude after new pipelines went into service last year moving Permian and Eagle Ford crude to the coast. Corpus Christi accounted for about 45pc of US crude exports in May, according to the most recent monthly Census trade data. Total US crude exports averaged 2.9mn b/d that month.</p><p class="bylines"><i>By Eunice Bridges </i></p></article>
