BNSF moves 1,000th crude-oil unit train from North Dakota hub

Crestwood Midstream Partners L.P. yesterday marked the loading of the 1,000th crude-oil unit train at its COLT rail hub in Epping, N.D.

Served by BNSF Railway Co., the COLT facility opened in June 2012 and since has undergone two major expansions. The hub is one of the largest crude-by-rail loading terminals in the United States based on daily loaded volumes, Crestwood Midstream officials said in a press release.

The facility receives crude via a 12-bay truck unloading facility and pipeline connections, and can store 1.2 million barrels of crude.

"This [unit train] accomplishment would not be possible without the tremendous working relationship we have established with our customers, including Tesoro Refining and Marketing, U.S. Oil & Refining, Sunoco Logistics, Flint Hills Resources, Statoil and BP Products North America," said Bill Gautreaux, president of Crestwood Midstream’s Liquids and Crude Business Unit. "Reaching the 1,000th unit train loading in such a short time frame since commissioning the facility is a testament to the strength of the Bakken play, BNSF and our customers’ willingness to devote substantial investment to the play."

Crestwood Midstream currently is constructing additional release and departure tracks at the COLT hub. To be completed by November's end, the expansion will accommodate additional unit trains and provide greater flexibility with scheduling trains coming into and departing the facility, company officials said.