HOUSTON -- When it comes to transporting crude oil to Texas refineries, there are the conventional methods. But one Houston partnership involving three companies is thinking outside the box. 

Enterprise Products Partners, Teppco Partners and Oil Tanking Holdings Americas announced plans on Monday for a Texas offshore port system.  They call it TOPS. 

The plan calls for an oil terminal to be built 36 miles off the coast of Freeport.  It would allow supertankers to anchor at pumping facilities to unload crude, instead of trying to navigate the ship channels.  The oil would then be brought onshore to refineries in Houston, Port Arthur and Beaumont through 160 miles of pipeline. 

“I think it's very good news indeed,” said John Hofmeister of Citizens for Affordable Energy.

Hofmeister is the former president of Shell Oil. He was attending an energy summit when 11 News asked what he thought about the plan.

“It will help with more domestic supply. And the kind of construction you’re talking about could bring more security of the supply to local refining sources,” said Hofmeister.

He also suspects it will be safer for the environment.

“Because it reduces the number of ship movements into some of the inland channels...where there's always the potential of some incident taking place,” said Hofmeister.

Hofmeister is referring to refinery expansions along the Texas coast that could increase capacity by nearly half a million barrels of crude oil per day. He’s also pointing out the anticipated increase in general ship traffic which could affect the port in the future.

“While we want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we'll always be using some. Having them gather it more efficiently and leaving the ports open for cargo trade is important for our region,” said Rep. Kevin Brady, District 8.

He also says it’s important for the country.