Murex, Cetane expand crude transload facility in New Mexico

Murex L.L.C. and Cetane Energy L.L.C. today announced they completed a unit train expansion project at Cetane's crude oil transload facility in Carlsbad, N.M.

The facility now can load unit trains carrying up to 120 rail cars of crude oil. Last month, the first unit train of crude departed the facility, which is served by BNSF Railway Co. and Southwestern Railroad Inc.

Murex and Cetane are planning future expansions at the facility that would include pipeline gathering infrastructure for crude deliveries directly into the terminal and additional storage capacity.

Over the past year, the companies have added 40,000 barrels of crude storage capacity, 12 tanker truck offload stations and more than 18,000 feet of track to load unit trains.

"Murex and Cetane have worked closely with the BNSF and the Southwest Railroad to complete this capital project. The improvements to the facility will allow for efficient unit train movements to the U.S. West, East and Gulf coasts," said Murex President Robert Wright in a press release. "We believe this facility now offers a unique, long-term and economical takeaway opportunity for crude oil from the Permian Basin."