USDOE Strategic Petroleum Reserve - Bayou Choctaw SPR Site: Fuel Terminal in Plaquemine, Louisiana

The USDOE Strategic Petroleum Reserve - Bayou Choctaw SPR Site is a fuel terminal located in Plaquemine, Iberville Parish, Louisiana. It is a key component of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, designed to store crude oil for emergency release during supply disruptions. The facility operates under the U.S. Department of Energy and is situated along the Mississippi River, providing access to major refining and transportation networks. As a fuel terminal, the site handles large volumes of crude oil stored in underground salt caverns. The facility is subject to federal regulations including the Clean Water Act and Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rules. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees underground storage tank (UST) requirements, though the caverns are exempt from typical UST rules. The site's NAICS code 424710 indicates petroleum bulk stations and terminals. The Bayou Choctaw site plays a critical role in national energy security, with a storage capacity of approximately 76 million barrels. Its location in Louisiana's industrial corridor supports the Gulf Coast refining complex. The facility's operational status ensures readiness for emergency crude oil releases, contributing to market stability and supply resilience.

The facility is located in the Mississippi River Delta region, an area with sensitive aquatic ecosystems and wetlands. Spill prevention and secondary containment are critical due to the proximity to the river and groundwater resources. The underground salt caverns provide inherent containment, but surface operations require robust SPCC plans. Vapor recovery systems and leak detection are standard to mitigate air emissions and soil contamination risks.