Three feet that changed how energy moves

For years, Chevron engineers Jon Farkas and Jacob Behm observed ships arriving at the Empire Terminal via the Mississippi River Southwest Pass. The terminal serves as a crucial junction for oil transportation from offshore production to refineries, pipelines, storage facilities, and beyond. The berth where ships loaded crude oil had a depth of 50 feet, limiting the amount of cargo they could carry due to the weight of the vessels.

Farkas and Behm pondered if there was a way to deepen the berth, leading to a project that increased the depth from 50 to 53 feet, ultimately boosting the terminal's throughput by 522,000 barrels per month.

The team collaborated with colleagues from various departments to assess the feasibility of the project while ensuring it complied with Chevron Marine Assurance requirements. With the addition of their 80 million barrel daily Ballymore development, the Empire Terminal gained an important export sales channel, enhancing its economic competitiveness.

Chevron decided to deepen the berth in stages, increasing its depth from 50 to 53 feet. While three feet may seem insignificant, this change eliminated a constraint that had previously restricted the capacity of certain qualifying vessels at the terminal.

The impact of this project extends beyond the Empire Terminal, as it is an integral part of a larger network that connects offshore production, marine transportation, and Chevron's Pascagoula Refinery. By improving the efficiency of one connection, the entire chain can operate more effectively. This project demonstrates how targeted enhancements can unlock more value from existing assets and provide Chevron with additional options for transporting crude oil to various markets around the world.