Explorer Pipeline

This article is part of the Global Fossil Infrastructure Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.

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Explorer Pipeline is currently an operating refined petroleum products pipeline in the United States. It used to carry both oil and oil products, but only functions to carry the latter now.

Location

The pipeline runs from Port Arthur, Texas, to Hammond, Indiana. It links up with Kinder Morgan's Cochin Pipeline System in Kankakee County, Illinois, which runs to Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta in Canada.

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Project details

• Operator:
• Owner: Phillips66, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Energy Transfer; Shell plc
• Parent company: Phillips66, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Energy Transfer; Shell plc
• Capacity: 660,000 barrels per day
• Length: 1830 miles
• Status: Operating
• Start year: 1972

Background

Explorer Pipeline is a 2,945 kilometer (1,830 mile) pipeline that transports gasoline, diesel, fuel oil and jet fuel from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest. It has a capacity of 660,000 barrels a day in its northern system, and 450,000 bpd in its southern system.

The pipeline's website, along with other sources, lists its ownership as "Phillips66, Marathon, Sunoco Logistics and Shell". Sunoco Logistics was later merged with Energy Transfer Partners. Stated, approximate ownership percentages for the pipeline are as follows:

• Energy Transfer Partners: 15%
• Shell Midstream Partners LP: 2.62%
• Shell Pipeline Co LP: 35.97%
• Phillips 66 Partners LP: approximately 22%
• Marathon: 24.51%

The pipeline links up with Kinder Morgan's Cochin Pipeline System in Kankakee County, Illinois, which runs to Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta in Canada.

A 36-mile expansion project was completed in March 2022 to carry refined products into the North Dallas area.