Murex, Cetane Energy to expand crude oil transload facility in Permian Basin

Murex L.L.C. and Cetane Energy L.L.C. yesterday announced plans to expand and additionally improve a crude oil transload facility in Carlsbad, N.M.

The project includes a rail expansion to load unit trains of crude, and the construction of additional rail-car loading stations and a long-term oil gathering system. An additional 20,000 feet of track is slated to be laid by August to accommodate the loading of 110-car unit trains.

Over the past year, Murex and Cetane have added 40,000 barrels of crude storage capacity, 12 tanker truck unloading stations and additional custody transfer meters at the Carlsbad facility.

The companies have worked closely with BNSF Railway Co. and Southwestern Railroad Inc. to ensure the rail facility is state of the art, said Murex President Robert Wright in a press release.

"We look forward to working with Murex and Cetane to provide unit train service out of the Permian Basin," said Dave Garin, BNSF's group vice president of industrial products. "Today, rail is providing a more flexible, long-term, and economical option to ship crude oil to destination markets throughout the East, West and Gulf coasts, and along the Mississippi River."