DICKINSON, ND MDU Resources Group, Inc. and Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. announce the Dickinson, North Dakota-based Dakota Prairie refinery, the first greenfield fuels refinery built in the U.S. in nearly 40 years, has commenced operations. The facility has begun producing diesel fuel and is expected to begin sales of diesel as the plant ramps up during May.

The refinery is designed to process 20,000 barrels per day (bpd) of locally sourced Bakken crude oil, resulting in a production slate that includes up to 7,000 bpd of diesel fuel that will be sold from the plant to regional, North Dakota-based customers.

MDU Resources and Calumet are joint owners and operators of the refinery.

"With more than two-thirds of North Dakota's diesel fuel currently imported into the state, the Dakota Prairie refinery is well positioned to meet strong regional demand with additional, locally produced supplies of diesel fuel," said David L. Goodin, President and CEO of MDU Resources. "Over time, we expect that this refinery has the potential to be an important contributor to the economic growth of the local and state economy.

The Dakota Prairie refinery also will produce up to 6,500 barrels per day of naphtha, which is used as a diluent to transport heavy oil by pipeline or as a feedstock in gasoline production; up to 6,000 barrels per day of atmospheric tower bottoms, which can be used as a feedstock for lubricating oils; and other refined products.

Construction of the facility began in March 2013, on a 318-acre site that is located about 4 miles west of Dickinson in southwest North Dakota. More than 800 workers were on site at peak construction. Total cost of the plant is estimated to be approximately $425 million to $435 million, and the facility employs about 80 people.