HOUSTON, May 18 (UPI) -- The Seaway crude oil pipeline has been reversed so that it transports oil from Oklahoma to the southern U.S. coast, project companies announced.
Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge Inc. announced that modifications to reverse the flow of the Seaway pipeline are finished.
"The reversal will initially provide 150,000 barrels per day of capacity, which is expected to increase to more than 400,000 BPD in the first quarter of 2013 with additional modifications and increased pumping capabilities," the companies said.
Reversing crude oil deliveries on the 512-mile pipeline could reduce transportation costs and accelerate development of crude oil reserves in North America, the companies said.
Enbridge last month added that it planned to move ahead with an expansion of its Flanagan South Project, which could add capacity to shippers looking to transport products from Illinois to the southern coast using a section of the reversed Seaway pipeline.
This week, Enbridge announced a major overhaul of its crude oil pipeline systems in the United States and Canada, its single largest investment to date at more than $300 million.
