NuStar Energy and Valero have reached an agreement that will help move South Texas Eagle Ford crude to local refineries. NuStar will convert a current refined products pipeline to crude oil and the line will be used to move oil from Three Rivers to Corpus Christi where Valero has an additional refinery. The company also plans a new 12 inch pipeline that will make the same journey. Valero has indicated it plans to increase the volume of crude the company is taking from the Eagle Ford and this looks to be another step in that direction. 

NuStar Energy L.P. (NYSE: NS) announced today that the company has entered into an agreement with Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO) in which NuStar will modify existing sections within its South Texas pipeline system and build new sections to transport Eagle Ford and other crude oils. These projects will help improve transportation of crude and condensate to supply its refineries in Three Rivers, Texas and Corpus Christi, Texas.

NuStar will reverse an eight-inch refined products pipeline that currently runs from Corpus Christi to Three Rivers and will convert it to crude oil service. The pipeline will provide capacity to transport Eagle Ford crude and condensate to Valero’s Corpus Christi refinery, and the line is expected to be in full service by the end of September 2011.

NuStar will also build 55 miles of new 12-inch pipeline that will connect to existing pipeline segments to move crude oil from Corpus Christi to Valero’s Three Rivers refinery. This system is expected to be completed and in service by the second quarter of 2012.”

Read the full press release at nustarenergy.com