09-05-2012

Petroplex to commence development of multimodal liguid terminal in St James, Louisiana

Petroplex International, L.L.C, a development company of bulk liquid storage tank terminals based in Baton Rouge, along with a consortium consisting of Macquarie Group, through its Macquarie Capital division, Quanta Services Inc and individual investor Mr. Harley Franco, CEO and founder of Harley Marine Services Inc., today announced that it has raised capital to progress the development of a $600 million multi-modal bulk liquid terminal in St. James Parish with a projected initial storage capacity of 4 – 6 million barrels.

Petroplex will build a storage and distribution terminal for crude oil, refined petroleum products, fuel oil, chemicals, agrichemicals, renewable fuels, and other commercial liquid commodities and will provide in-tank blending capabilities throughout the facility. The initial phase of the project includes the design, engineering, development, and operation of a state-of-the-art storage terminal that is capable of receipt or delivery between a variety of intermodal systems, including trucks, railcars, marine barges and ocean-going vessels, and connections to the existing and future pipeline infrastructure systems. Once completed, the project will be the only dedicated independent “for-hire” terminal services company serving the growing St. James crude and refining market.

“We are pleased to announce that we are ready to advance the development of this much-needed project through to completion,” said Mark Helmke, President and Chief Operating Officer, Petroplex. “The development team has done an excellent job in getting the project to this stage. With our consortium partners Macquarie Group, Quanta Services and Mr. Franco, we are positioned to promptly deliver an important infrastructure solution to a high-demand market.”

“The substantial increase in crude oil production from domestic shale formations and Canadian oil sands is rapidly changing North American product supply flows and requires new infrastructure to accommodate its storage,” said Mr. Helmke. “The St. James region is expected to significantly benefit from new production and crude supply shifts. We believe that Petroplex is in an ideal location to provide terminal services for the seamless movement and storage of all commercial liquid commodities. The Project is strategically located in close proximity to key intermodal infrastructure, waterways, refineries and manufacturers and will provide a unique storage solution to producers.”

Construction is expected to commence during the first half of 2013, and the facility is expected to begin commercial operations during 2014.