HOUSTON -- Shell Pipeline on Dec. 16 said that the received an encouraging response to its non-binding solicitation of interest period for firm capacity on its proposed Westward Ho pipeline project.

According to a company news release, the responses of shippers support a 30-inch pipeline build from St. James, La., to the Port Neches/Nederland, Texas, area.

Shell Pipeline plans to seek binding firm-capacity commitments from shippers for the project through an open season in early 2012.

Shell Pipeline's Westward Ho project would enhance access Gulf of Mexico refiners to the anticipated increased domestic production and foreign crude available at St. James. The project would also complement the new storage and logistics infrastructure that is currently being built in the St. James and Clovelly, La., areas.

The Westward Ho could enable the distribution of approximately 600,000 barrels per day of crude across the region depending upon crudes types shipped, according to Shell Pipeline, adding that expansion could be completed and commissioned by early 2015.