Canadian LPG Export Terminal Added to Oil Refinery in Longview

Longview, WA (September 3, 2015) – Waterside Energy unveiled its newest fossil fuel export plan at a September 2, 2015, Port of Longview public meeting. Backers of the proposed oil refinery seek to add a Canadian Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) export terminal to their original oil refinery proposal.

“Waterside’s proposals invite explosive trains and storage facilities into densely populated areas,” stated Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper. “A spill or explosion could devastate homes and businesses in Longview.”

The refinery and LPG export terminal are slated for private properties near the Port, but require Port approval. The projects will also undergo state-level environmental reviews through the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council and require approval by Washington Governor Jay Inslee.

Despite their Texas-origin, Waterside executives, including CEO Lou Soumas, have unsettling ties to Washington. There is an ongoing lawsuit against the principal backers of this proposed project for a failed biofuels venture in Odessa, Washington. The lawsuit alleges that some of the Riverside and WEST leaders lied on credit applications, under-capitalized their business, and lined their own pockets instead of paying more than $1.5 million in outstanding debts after their biofuels-related business in Odessa tanked.

  • Riverside Refining – Oil Refinery
    • Capacity: 30,000 barrels/day oil; 3 inbound unit trains per week
    • Fact: Would be first west coast oil refinery in 25 years and the largest oil refinery in the continental United States since 1976.
    • Fact: Riverside plans to refine 15,000 barrels per day of biofuels. The biofuel feedstock would be “sourced international."
    • Status: Riverside is seeking approval from the Port of Longview. Riverside also needs permits from Washington State.
  • Washington Energy Storage & Transfer (WEST) - LPG Export Terminal
    • Capacity: One inbound unit train of LPG per day (75,000 barrels per train). The propane would be “loaded onto very large gas carriers for export to international customers.”
    • Fact: Earlier this year the Port of Longview rejected an LPG export terminal.
    • Fact: Massive LPG tankers require ‘security zones’ of up to 500 yards and could interfere with recreational and river traffic.
    • Status: Riverside is negotiating a lease with Port of Longview; needs approval from the Port of Longview Commission and permits from Washington State.