Dorgan announces funding for ND refinery study
Friday September 18, 2009, 5:46 pm EDT

US Sen. Dorgan announces money for study of increasing North Dakota refining capacity

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan says it's important to expand oil refinery capacity in North Dakota to curb fuel shortages and take advantage of the oil-rich Bakken shale formation in the western part of the state.

The Democrat, who chairs the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, announced a $457,000 federal Energy Department grant to study the feasibility of a new oil refinery in the state.

The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives will coordinate the study, which is expected to be completed next summer.

North Dakota has only one oil refinery, the Tesoro Corp. plant near Mandan. Spokesman Leif Peterson says the company has no immediate plans for expansion.

Source: Associated Press

Engineering News Archive