EPA Issues First-of-its-Kind Permit For Texas Offshore Deepwater Port
U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Clean Air Act (CAA) permit for the proposed offshore Texas GulfLink (TGL) deepwater port. The permit allows a first-of-its-kind use of vapor capture and control technology mounted on an offshore support vessel at TGL’s proposed deepwater port about 30 miles southeast of Freeport, Texas.
“In issuing the first Clean Air Act deepwater port permit since President Trump returned to office, EPA is keeping its promise to unleash American energy dominance and economic prosperity,” said EPA Regional Administrator Scott Mason. “By applying proven technology in an innovative way, this project will increase energy production while fulfilling EPA’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment.”
“Sentinel Midstream is proud to unveil a groundbreaking vapor control application that will revolutionize the loading of Very Large Crude Carriers in the Gulf of America. Developed by our Texas GulfLink team in close collaboration with the EPA, this innovative approach significantly reduces volatile organic compounds, setting a new industry standard for environmental performance and advances the implementation of Best Available Control Technology. We are especially grateful to Regional Administrator Mason for his leadership and to his team for their steadfast support in helping make this achievement possible,” said Jeff Ballard, Chief Executive Officer of Sentinel Midstream.
The offshore deepwater port will be able to load very large crude carriers up to 85,000 barrels per hour, or 365 million barrels a year. The final permit will advance the innovative use of an offshore support vessel to control volatile organic compound emissions at a deepwater port. This is the first use of the technology alongside a very large crude oil carrier while it is being loaded and tethered to a single-point mooring buoy at a deepwater port. Similar technology has been used on shuttle tankers in the North Sea for over 20 years with over 96% emission-control efficiency.
The CAA permit, known as a combined synthetic minor New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction and title V operating permit, includes monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements such as semi-annual and annual compliance certifications to ensure compliance with federal standards. The permit is valid for five years from the effective date of issuance, and TGL will need to apply for a renewal at least six months before the date of expiration of the permit to continue operations at the deepwater port.
EPA issued the draft permit for public notice on May 21, 2025. EPA accepted public comments from May 22 to June 27, 2025. The signing today is the final step to issue the CAA permit. Under the Deepwater Port Act, the Maritime Administration in the Department of Transportation (MARAD) issues deepwater port licenses.
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