Status of the LOOP deep water port project

Following the issuance of federal and state licenses, construction of the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port should begin early in 1978, with completion in 1980 of the first stage of construction involving investment of $342.8 million for a capacity of 1.4 million bbl/day. The second stage, to be completed in 1982, will bring capacity to 2.4 million bbl/day at an added expenditure of $191.5 million, a further third stage to be completed in 1989 will give a total capacity of 3.4 million bbl/day for an added investment of $269.4 million. The Clovelly Salt Dome, some 28 mi inland, will have up to 14 storage cavities, each of about 4 million bbl volume, into which crude oil can be discharged via pipeline from incoming tankers. Unloaded crude oil will be measured by transfer meters at the Marine terminal and also at the storage terminal. LOOP Inc. will also build and operate a common-carrier pipeline system connecting the Clovelly Dome Storage Facility to the St. James, La., terminal of the Capline pipeline. Main operational factors at the Marine Terminal are discussed.