Sentinel Begins Construction of Texas GulfLink Deepwater Export Terminal

Sentinel Midstream has started construction on its Texas GulfLink deepwater crude export terminal offshore Texas, expanding VLCC loading capacity for U.S. oil exports.

(P&GJ) — Sentinel Midstream has begun construction on its Texas GulfLink deepwater crude export terminal offshore Texas, advancing one of the largest U.S. oil export infrastructure projects currently under development.

The offshore terminal will be located about 30 miles off the coast near Freeport, Texas, and is designed to fully load Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) directly offshore. The facility is expected to improve export efficiency by reducing the need for lightering operations currently used to transfer crude onto larger vessels.

Sentinel said the project is moving forward with support tied to the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement and in coordination with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Japanese government. Funding connected to the agreement was authorized under a 2025 executive order aimed at expanding U.S. export infrastructure.

The company said the terminal is intended to strengthen access for U.S. crude producers to international markets, particularly in Asia and Europe, while supporting additional Gulf Coast export capacity.

Once operational, Texas GulfLink is expected to handle large-scale crude exports from North American production hubs and support growing global demand for U.S. oil supplies. The project is also expected to contribute to Gulf Coast economic activity and long-term export growth.

Dallas-based Sentinel Midstream develops and operates crude transportation and terminal infrastructure across Texas and Louisiana through affiliated companies.