Epic Crude Holdings LP is testing support for another expansion of its Texas intrastate oil pipeline that extends from Orla in the Permian Basin to the Port of Corpus Christi.

The open season, launched Monday, extends to Dec. 17. The crude pipeline completed its first open season in July 2018 and its second two months later. Epic, formed two years ago, is developing oil and natural gas liquids midstream infrastructure in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale.

Epic Crude Oil Pipeline runs parallel to the Epic Y-Grade Pipeline and services the Permian’s twin Delaware and Midland sub-basins, as well as the Eagle Ford Shale. The crude pipe has terminals in Orla, Saragosa, Crane, Wink, Midland, Upton, Hobson and Gardendale, with connectivity to the Corpus refining market and multiple terminals allowing export access on the coast.

Able to ship up to 400,000 b/d, Epic Crude began interim crude operations in August using the 24-inch diameter Y-Grade Pipeline. Once the 30-inch diameter crude pipeline is completed in 1Q2020, Epic Crude is to have initial capacity to transport 600,000 b/d and be expandable to transport up to 900,000 b/d.

Epic’s crude export dock in Corpus Christi is expected to be completed by the end of the year and be capable of loading Aframax tankers that carry up to 750,000 bbl. Another crude export dock is set for completion in 3Q2020 that would be able to load Suezmax tankers to transport up to 1 million bbl.

The Y-Grade Pipeline and Epic Olefins LP also are working to complete by 3Q2020 two 12-inch diameter pipelines for Gulf Coast Growth Ventures (GCGV) in San Patricio County near Corpus Christi. GCGV was formed last year by ExxonMobil Corp. and state-owned Saudi Basic Industries Corp., aka SABIC, to build what has been billed as the world’s largest steam cracker, a 1.8 million metric ton/year facility. The project, sanctioned in June, is expected to start up in 2022.

The Epic systems are backed by capital commitments from funds managed by Ares Management Corp.’s private equity group.