Pembina Pipeline to build propane export facility at Portland port

The Port of Portland, Ore., on Tuesday announced Pembina Pipeline Corp. has entered into an agreement to develop a $500 million, rail-served propane export facility at the east end of the port’s Marine Terminal 6 in the Rivergate Industrial District.

Projected to open in early 2018, the facility would feature rail, marine, storage and piping infrastructure. Pembina Pipeline plans to initially develop a 37,000-barrel-per-day propane export facility to provide the growing Canadian propane supply industry access to large international markets, predominantly in Asia.

"We have been extremely discerning when considering recent energy sector cargo opportunities, and after saying 'no' to coal and 'not now' to crude by rail, we are confident that we are saying 'yes' to the right partner at the right time," said Bill Wyatt, the port's executive director, in a press release. "Propane has an excellent track record as a clean and safe alternative fuel, and I am impressed by the level of experience, expertise and commitment to safety that Pembina brings to the table."

The 419-acre Marine Terminal 6 features a container terminal with an on-dock intermodal yard that's operated by ICTSI Oregon Inc. and served by BNSF Railway Co. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Pembina Pipeline is one of Canada's largest providers of transportation and logistics services for the North American energy sector.