MPLX LP and Crimson Midstream LLC launched a binding open season to gather crude oil transportation service commitments for the Swordfish pipeline, which is being jointly developed by the two entities.

The Swordfish pipeline would supply local Louisiana refineries by connecting terminal facilities in St. James, La., and Raceland, La., to the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port LLC terminal facility in Clovelly, La., according to an Oct. 17 news release.

The pipeline is designed to be a multi-diameter batched system capable of moving roughly 170,000 barrels to 600,000 bbl of crude oil per day, based on market demands. The pipeline would also provide potential shippers with access to storage services, vessel loading and connectivity to other carriers at the Clovelly hub.

"Leveraging mostly existing infrastructure, this open season offers Gulf Coast refiners and North American crude exporters a first-to-market pipeline solution providing reliable supply from St. James," Crimson President and COO Larry Alexander said.

The open season is scheduled to run until Nov. 30. The pipeline is expected to begin service in the first half of 2020.

MPLX is a midstream energy partnership formed by Marathon Petroleum Corp. to provide gathering, processing, transportation and other services for oil, gas and NGLs. Crimson Midstream's crude oil transportation services are focused in California, Louisiana and offshore Gulf of Mexico.