LOOP completes first VLCC crude oil loading operation
NEW ORLEANS -- LOOP LLC has successfully completed the first very large crude carrier (VLCC) crude oil loading operation at its Deepwater Port, 18 mi offshore of Port Fourchon, La.
LOOP is the only U.S. port capable of fully loading a VLCC, which helps optimize America’s energy supply chain by enabling inbound vessels delivering foreign crude oil to leave with U.S. crude oil, rather than returning empty. Domestic production recently surpassed 10 MMbopd.
“The new onloading configuration was accomplished with only minor modifications to existing facilities and is scalable to meet the changing needs of the industry,” said Tom Shaw, LOOP president.
Houston-based Shell Trading Company US (STUSCO) was the shipper of record for this historic cargo. LOOP, which has successfully offloaded more than 10,200 crude oil vessels since commencing operations in 1981, is currently preparing its 2018 shipping schedule.
