Area Development
A joint venture of MDU Resources Group, Inc. and Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P., The Dakota Prairie refinery recently began operations about four miles west of Dickinson, North Dakota. The refinery will employ 80 full-time workers and market its diesel fuel throughout the region.

The first greenfield fuels refinery built in the U.S. in nearly 40 years is capable of processing 20,000 barrels per day of Bakken crude oil. It is supplying about 7,000 barrels per day of diesel fuel to help offset North Dakota’s need to import nearly two-thirds of its diesel supply..

In addition to diesel, the Dakota Prairie refinery is producing up to 6,500 bpd of naphtha, which is used as a diluent to transport heavy oil by pipeline and as a feedstock in gasoline, and 6,000 bpd of atmospheric tower bottoms, which can be used as a feedstock for lubricating oils and other refined products..

The refinery is “This facility will help improve the state’s diesel supply, and over time has the potential to be an important contributor to the economic growth of the local and state economy,” Dave Goodin, MDU Resources President /CEO, said at the refinery’s grand opening today. “All of this is possible because of the support of local and state officials and agencies, and the economic development climate they have created in North Dakota.”.

Governor Jack Dalrymple said, “The Dakota Prairie refinery is another example of the great progress we’re making in North Dakota to create good jobs, diversify our economy and to help meet the energy needs of our state and the nation. The development of another fuel refinery in North Dakota has been a long-time goal, and I applaud MDU Resources and Calumet for this major achievement.”.