Dakota Gold to build new crude oil terminal in Bakken Shale

Dakota Gold Transfer - Plaza L.L.C. announced plans today to build a crude oil transload facility in Mountrail County, N.D.

To be located on a 350-acre site in the eastern section of the Bakken and Three Forks shale oil producing areas, Plaza Terminal will aggregate crude oil produced in Mountrail and neighboring counties, using gathering pipelines and trucks. The terminal also will provide crude oil services using on-site tankage.

The terminal will be located on a private rail spur controlled by Dakota Gold under a long-term lease. Canadian Pacific will serve the facility.

The terminal's design includes two loop tracks with storage for one to two additional trains on the rail spur; a covered loading barn; a 14-arm system capably of loading a unit train in about 14 hours; 15 truck unloading bays; and three 103,000-barrel storage tanks. The rail facility will have a throughput capacity of 70,000 barrels per day and storage capacity of more than 300,000 barrels, with the ability to expand to 600,000 barrels during a planned second phase.

"Unit-train-capable rail facilities are reasonably new to the Bakken," said Dakota Gold President and Chief Executive Officer Cody Moe in a prepared statement. "After an initial four years that saw the construction of a number of rail facilities, we are entering a new phase in their design and development."

Dakota Gold officials believe the capital investment CP is making in the Bakken region — and on the New Town subline in particular — will "allow the Plaza Terminal to more effectively realize its design capabilities and have a material impact on some of the congestion issues experienced by all railroads during the rapid expansion of rail deliveries of Bakken Crude," according to a press release.

Dakota Gold plans to break ground at the site later this year. Direct truck-to-train transload service could begin at the terminal as soon as 90 days after construction begins. Storage and high-speed rail loading service are expected to be available during 2015's second half, according to the company.

Dakota Gold is a joint venture between Moe, a crude oil trucking and construction entrepreneur, and energy asset investor and manager firm TrailStone Group.