BISMARCK, N.D., June 30 (UPI) -- The completion of a new refinery in North Dakota will help bring jobs to the state while ensuring U.S. energy security, Gov. Jack Dalrymple said.
MDU Resources Group and Calumet Specialty Products Partners, which has headquarters in Indiana, announced the completion of the Dakota Prairie refinery, characterized by the state as the first environmentally friendly refinery build in the country in nearly 40 years.
"The Dakota Prairie refinery is another example of the great progress we're making in North Dakota to create good jobs, diversify our economy and to help meet the energy needs of our state and the nation," Dalrymple said in a statement.
North Dakota's economy is leading others in the nation and its unemployment rate has hovered below the national average rate of 5.5 percent for the better part of the year. North Dakota is the No. 2 oil producer in the nation, though the low price of oil has slowed the rate of production in the shale-rich state.
The Dakota Prairie refinery is designed to process 20,000 barrels of oil per day from the state's Bakken shale reserve. Up to 7,000 bpd worth of production in the form of diesel fuel will be sold to in-state customers.
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., the former governor, joined Dalrymple at the grand opening of the refinery, saying projects like Dakota Prairie are good examples of the infrastructure needed to exploit the benefits of the shale oil era in the United States.
"We continue working to encourage investment in infrastructure to grow domestic energy production, create good jobs and help to make our nation energy secure," he said.
Construction on Dakota Prairie began in March 2013. It's expected to employ about 80 people.
