Texas port anticipates sustained U.S. crude export surge

The Port of Corpus Christi expects U.S. crude oil exports to remain at least 1 million barrels per day above prewar levels, according to CEO Kent Britton. The surge follows disruptions to global oil supply caused by the Iran war, which choked off Mideast crude via the Strait of Hormuz and forced buyers to seek alternatives. U.S. exports hit a record 6.4 million barrels daily across Texas and Louisiana facilities in the first half of 2026, up from roughly 4 million barrels before the conflict. Corpus Christi alone handled a record volume of oil and liquefied natural gas cargoes during the period. “It’s been a nonstop parade of ships past our windows,” Britton told Bloomberg News on July 14, 2026. The export boom has revived interest in new pipeline infrastructure, including a potential link between Corpus Christi and Cushing, Oklahoma—the key U.S. oil hub. Such a pipeline could unlock an additional 400,000 barrels per day from Corpus Christi, with the remainder flowing from other Gulf Coast ports like Houston and Louisiana terminals. Britton emphasized that sustained demand from major oil producers (E&PS) would be critical to maintaining the elevated export levels. The export surge has also drawn political attention, with Port of Corpus Christi Commission Chairman Gabe Guerra noting that the president visited the port the same day a decision was made to intervene in Iran. The renewed focus on infrastructure comes after Phillips 66 and Plains All American Pipeline previously explored a Cushing-to-Corpus Christi pipeline, though the project stalled amid a slow post-pandemic oil recovery. Corpus Christi currently exports only oil produced in Texas from the Permian and Eagle Ford basins. Britton suggested that future pipeline planning should account for potential imports from Cushing to bolster export capacity.