The last major planned Gulf Coast propane and butane export terminal project opened for business in December 2016 as Phillips 66 declared its Freeport, Texas liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export terminal “fully operational.” It’s a sign of the passing of a massive natural gas liquids (NGL) industry build-out of production, processing and export facilities to handle the surge of LPG production that has accompanied the shale oil boom in the U.S.
Meanwhile, ethane export terminal projects continue to progress, reflecting expectations for continued growth in this segment of the NGL industry.
Phillips 66 loaded its first contracted refrigerated propane/...