Sentinel Midstream Advances Texas GulfLink Deepwater Port

Marks Historic Milestone for U.S. Energy Export Infrastructure under the U.S.-Japan Trade Deal

DALLAS, TX – May 5, 2026 – Sentinel Midstream LLC (Sentinel) today announced the commencement of its Texas GulfLink deepwater port (Texas GulfLink or the Project), marking a significant milestone enabled by funding received pursuant to the U.S.—Japan Trade Agreement.

The project advances in coordination with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Government of Japan and reflects the shared commitment to strengthening global energy security and expanding U.S. export infrastructure. Sentinel will lead the development of Texas GulfLink, overseeing construction, commercial operations, and long-term management of the terminal.

Funding provided under the U.S.—Japan Trade Agreement, pursuant to Executive Order 14345 signed on September 4, 2025, underscores continued international confidence in U.S. energy infrastructure and supports the expansion of American crude oil exports to global markets.

Upon this commencement, Texas GulfLink will immediately begin construction of its deepwater crude oil export terminal, unlocking a new level of market access for U.S. producers, creating high-quality American jobs, and reinforcing the United States’ role as a reliable global energy supplier.

Howard Lutnick, United States Secretary of Commerce, said:
“The historic U.S.-Japan Trade Deal is driving another investment forward. This time into another American energy supplier. The milestone will bring jobs and acceleration to the Gulf of America for years to come, and I look forward to Japan and Sentinel Midstream’s progress ahead in delivering clean, affordable and efficient energy production to American consumers in this win for the Trump Administration.”

John Cornyn, United States Senator of Texas, said:
“Today’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Commerce that the Texas GulfLink project will commence construction is great news for Texas and a testament to the Trump administration’s continued commitment to unleashing American energy. Texas GulfLink will bring well-paying jobs to Brazoria County and help generate billions of dollars in American crude oil exports, and I look forward to welcoming the new export terminal to the Lone Star State.”

Ted Cruz, United States Senator of Texas, said:
“Dallas-based Sentinel Midstream is playing a critical role in expanding Texas’s energy infrastructure and exporting American energy to our allies. When I became the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, I made securing federal approval for deepwater port projects one of my top priorities and fought to move them forward. Texas GulfLink is now coming to fruition—supporting thousands of jobs and delivering billions in investment across Texas.

Randy Weber, United States Representative of Texas 14th District, said:
“Investment is pouring into the United States, and you can see it right here on the Texas Gulf Coast. Just 30 miles off our coast, a new deepwater terminal will load the largest crude carriers in the world and move American energy to our allies, backed by partners in Japan and stakeholders here at home. This project shows exactly what Southeast Texas brings to the table with world class ports, a skilled workforce, and the energy infrastructure that keeps investment coming and America producing.”

Jeff Ballard, Chief Executive Officer of Sentinel Midstream, said:
“Texas GulfLink is about more than infrastructure, it is about unlocking the full potential of American energy. This project creates a direct path from one of the most liquid crude hubs in the world to global markets, strengthening our allies, improving trade dynamics, and reinforcing the United States as the supplier of choice in an increasingly uncertain energy landscape. We are proud to be a trusted partner of both the U.S. and Japan Governments and help lead the next chapter of American oil exports.”

A Generational Asset

Texas GulfLink’s deepwater crude oil export terminal (the Terminal) will be located approximately 30 miles off the coast west of Freeport, Texas, in the Gulf of America. Once complete, it will have the capability to fully load Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) offshore, eliminating the need for costly and inefficient lightering operations. This direct-loading capability enhances global competitiveness while significantly reducing emissions associated with traditional export methods.

By enabling efficient, large-scale exports, the Terminal will serve as a critical conduit connecting global markets to reliable, North American-produced crude oil. It is expected to expand market access across Asia and Europe, strengthen trade relationships with key allies, and reinforce the role of the United States as a stable, long-term energy supplier.

Once operational, Texas GulfLink is anticipated to support billions of dollars in annual export value, improve the U.S. trade balance, and drive sustained economic growth across the Gulf Coast and beyond.

About Sentinel Midstream LLC

Sentinel Midstream LLC is a Dallas-based developer and operator of integrated energy infrastructure, with deep capabilities across commercial development, project execution, and operations. Through its affiliated companies, Sentinel owns and operates crude oil transportation and terminal systems across Texas and Louisiana, connecting U.S. supply to Gulf Coast refineries and global markets.

Partnered with Cresta Fund Management, Sentinel brings together institutional capital, strong commercial relationships, and proven operating expertise to deliver critical infrastructure at scale. Jones Day advised Sentinel in connection with the advancement of Texas GulfLink.
For more information, please visit www.texasgulflink.com and www.texasgulflink.com.

Media Contact
Bruce Heine
media@sentinelmidstream.com
918-645-8989

Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unleashes American Energy, Awards Texas GulfLink First U.S. Deepwater Port License

Accelerating deepwater port licensing will unleash American energy dominance, lower energy costs for families

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy today announced the Maritime Administration (MARAD) will take on oversight of deepwater port licensing from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). This change will streamline environmental reviews, accelerate license approvals, and lower domestic energy costs.

“The Deepwater Port Program is a key pillar of President Trump’s energy dominance strategy. With this change, we’ll soon accelerate project approvals so the nation can safely utilize more of its abundant natural resources, create more high paying jobs, and lower energy costs for American families,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

“MARAD is excited and proud to lead the Deepwater Port Program. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners at the U.S. Coast Guard to make this process more efficient and fuel our energy economy for years to come,” said MARAD Administrator Steve M. Carmel.

While Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg sat on deepwater port approvals for years to appease Green New Scam radicals, the Trump Administration is in the process of approving multiple licenses in the Gulf of America. These projects will substantially increase our energy revenue and allow America to dominate the global energy market.

Additional Information:

In overseeing the licensing process, MARAD will assume National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and environmental compliance review duties. USCG will instead support as a Cooperating Agency and will remain responsible for overseeing safety, design, construction, and operations of deepwater port facilities. This transition advances President Trump’s Executive Order on Unleashing American Energy.

The Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (DWPA) establishes a licensing system for ownership, construction, operation, and decommissioning of deepwater port structures located beyond the U.S. territorial sea for the import and export of oil and natural gas. The DWPA sets out conditions that deepwater port license applicants must meet, including minimization of adverse impacts on the marine environment and submission of detailed plans for construction, operation, and decommissioning of deepwater ports.

Thirty (31) Deepwater Port License Applications have been filed for approval since 1975.

• Eighteen (18) applications were filed for licenses to import liquefied natural gas (LNG);
• Five (5) applications were filed to export LNG;
• Six (6) applications were filed to export oil; and
• Two (2) applications were filed for licenses to import oil.

Sentinel Midstream’s “Texas GulfLink” Deepwater Port Receives Approval From U.S. Maritime Administration

DALLAS – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Sentinel Midstream LLC (“Sentinel”), a Dallas-based provider of crude oil midstream solutions, announced today that its “Texas GulfLink” deepwater crude oil export terminal has received its Record of Decision (“ROD”) from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration approving its deepwater port license application. The ROD concludes a multi-year environmental and technical review of Texas GulfLink’s application during which multiple draft environmental impact statements were published and several public hearings held. The ROD considers the comments of multiple federal and state agencies and thousands more received from the public throughout the review period.

A Game-Changer for Crude Oil Exports

Located approximately 30 miles off Brazoria County along the Texas Gulf Coast, Texas GulfLink’s proposed deepwater crude oil export terminal will cater to Very Large Crude Carriers (“VLCCs”), setting a new standard for crude loading efficiency. The terminal will substantially reduce costs, improve vessel traffic in crowded U.S. Gulf Coast ship channels, and reduce air emissions associated with lightering operations—delivering tangible benefits to customers and coastal communities alike. Additionally, Texas GulfLink will employ state-of-the-art vapor recovery technology, further improving its environmental profile.

Texas GulfLink will also further President Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” executive order, ensuring that the world looks to the United States for its energy supply. Commenting in a separate press release, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy called the ROD “a declaration that American energy will fuel not just our own economy, but the global market—on our terms.” The ROD “opens the floodgates for American oil exports, putting our producers in the driver’s seat and ensuring that the world looks to the United States—not foreign adversaries—for energy supply,” continued Duffy.

“This permitting milestone is a testament to the hard work, perseverance, and expertise of the Sentinel team,” remarked Jeff Ballard, President and CEO of Sentinel and its subsidiary, Texas GulfLink, LLC. “I also want to thank ABADIE LLC, Miller Strategies, and our counsel, Kean Miller LLP, for their help in achieving this great result for our company. Because of the team’s efforts, Texas GulfLink is now well positioned to capitalize on strong market interest and advance as the premier offshore crude oil export facility in the United States.”

Next Steps

Texas GulfLink will immediately turn its attention to satisfying the license conditions and is eager to work with the U.S. Maritime Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Trump Administration, to bring this transformative project to fruition. The approval is well timed to capitalize on President Trump’s stated goal of unleashing the full power of America’s domestic energy supply.

Sentinel is also actively engaged with customers and key stakeholders with the strong desire to promote integrated market solutions. As the only independent deepwater export terminal project, Texas GulfLink is uniquely positioned amongst its industry peers, offering shippers tailored commercial solutions with competitive market rates and terms.

About Sentinel Midstream

Sentinel is a Dallas-based provider of midstream energy solutions to producers of crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and other petroleum products. Sentinel’s affiliated companies operate crude oil transportation systems in Texas and Louisiana. Backed by Cresta Fund Management, a Dallas-based private equity firm specializing in middle market energy infrastructure, Sentinel is the parent company of the deepwater port license applicant, Texas GulfLink, LLC. For more information, please visit sentinelmidstream.com and texasgulflink.com.

Contacts

info@sentinelmidstream.com