Enterprise reports minimal damage from Harvey, restores service

Enterprise Products Partners LP announced that progress has been made in the restoration of service at all of its major assets impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

“I could not be more proud of our employees and their extraordinary efforts to respond to the unprecedented challenges created by Hurricane Harvey,” says A.J. “Jim” Teague, CEO of Enterprise’s general partner. “We had employees who worked tirelessly throughout the storm and its aftermath, including some who voluntarily worked even though their own homes were flooded.”

Enterprise’s Mont Belvieu complex has resumed commercial service at its eight natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionators, six propylene splitters, isomerization facility and octane enhancement unit, the company reports. NGL storage remains operational and brine containment has stabilized, though the company is continuing to monitor the situation. Enterprise says it has not curtailed NGL fractionation or storage services.

Enterprise also reports that its Seaway marine terminals in Texas City, Texas, and Freeport, Texas, have returned to service. Enterprise’s Beaumont marine terminals are operational, but the port remains closed to traffic. The company’s two marine terminals on the Houston Ship Channel have resumed commercial service, as loadings of ethane, LP gas and polymer grade propylene ships have resumed service, says the company.

Enterprise’s eight natural gas processing plants; two NGL fractionators; and the company’s natural gas, NGL and crude oil pipelines in south Texas have resumed operations. The company’s refined products terminal in Port Arthur is currently down due to high water, Enterprise reports.

As of yet, the company has not incurred any significant physical damage to its facilities, though operationally it continues to face some challenges due to third-party service providers.

“Enterprise’s most important commitments to our customers are to provide flow assurance, reliability and market choices,” Teague says. “The laser focus of our employees and the flexibility of our systems allowed us to continue to provide services to our producing or consuming customers. Although our actions cost the partnership in excess of $5 million, we delivered on our commitments.”