May 13, 2011 [OPIS] - Magellan said on Friday that the high water levels in the Mississippi River have affected two heavy oil terminals in Louisiana.
Its Gibson terminal is totally shut, and its Marrero terminal is only operating its landside facilities.
Magellan shut marine facilities at its 2.8 million bbl capacity heavy oil terminal at Marrero, La., after completing the loading and release of several oil barges earlier on Friday. Marrero is a suburb of New Orleans located on the Mississippi River. “Due to high water in the Mississippi River, we will not load or unload additional vessels or barges until it is safe to resume normal operations,” Bruce Heine, a company spokesman.
Magellan offers storage and distribution service for heavy oils at its Marrero terminal. Marrero terminal currently has the capability to make tank transfers, and receive and load rail and trucks.
Magellan has discontinued operations at Gibson terminal earlier on Friday and will not receive or load barges or vessels until it is safe to resume normal operations.
It has 50,000 bbl of storage at its Gibson terminal. Magellan offers storage and distribution services for crude oil at this terminal.
The company does not have an estimate on when it will resume the marine operations at both terminals at this time. Most terminals along the river have shut or are preparing to shut marine facilities due to high water levels, but some terminals would be able to contiunue to operate landside operations because of rail and truck access.