Davis Refinery: why not move it?

[Paddledogger]

For those of you who live and work out in western North Dakota, there is a lot of media covering the proposed Davis Refinery, which is proposed to be built just a few short miles away from the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I have supported oil & gas infrastructure out west, but I am somewhat concerned about building another small refinery out this way. The one just west of Dickinson, struggled and had big losses until the facility was bought by Tesoro. I'm not convinced 100% that the location and timing of this facility is right. They say they did studies and flew some kites or balloons to have people with binoculars try to find them. So they say it will be hid. But I bet that during the wintery cold weather that people in the park will see the steam stacks. Does anyone have information on why Davis refinery picked this location? Why not move it closer to Belfield? Billing County officials support it because some of them have interest or $ in oil and gas. Keep it in Billings County, but why not move it and keep it west of Hwy 85!!!!

;:;rant

 

[pluckem]

I have no specific information related to Davis. However site locations for refinery's, power plants, or other large industrial facilities are usually determined by the location of utilities that are needed to operate.

liquid or gas pipelines, electrical transmission lines, electrical substations, water source. All these are high dollar items and can be a regulation and approval nightmare if you need to cover long distances to bring these into the build site.

 

[dean nelson]

Yes because Lord knows at -20 there's a whole bunch of people out in the park. It's not just so simple as just move it they are years and years into this with huge amount of red tape already behind them and millions of dollars spent so there's no way in hell they're going to just decide now to up swap out and have to start years worth of work all over again.

 

[Migrator Man]

Nothing abou the Davis Refinery makes sense. Is another refinery needed in the market area. How are they going to get oil to the site? How will they ship out the products? This refinery will not be very big so how will they be able to compete with the existing supply?

Anyone know if this location is strategic for any reason?

This whole refinery idea seems crooked from the investment side.

 

[Paddledogger]

Yes because Lord knows at -20 there's a whole bunch of people out in the park. It's not just so simple as just move it they are years and years into this with huge amount of red tape already behind them and millions of dollars spent so there's no way in hell they're going to just decide now to up swap out and have to start years worth of work all over again.

Sorry Deano! I didn't mean to upset anybody, but I guess I was just thinking that with the thousands of people who drive through the area along I-94 would see that it is located there during the cold. I was not implying about actual people standing or hiking in the park as -20 degrees......! My intent was to see if anyone has specifics or facts on why this location got picked. My original post was just my view that since the Dickinson refinery struggled financially during the boom, how will this one be any different and have the same result?

 

[KJS - ND]

http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/business/4220902-few-hurdles-left-way-davis-refinery

They chose the location because of the location to Bakken crude oil, proximity to underserved markets and the accessibility to transport and logistics facilities.

 

[PrairieGhost]

Everyone wants a refinery, but they don't want it in their back yard so they put it where there are not enough people to resist it. I think they chose the location because it's in the Badlands and people who see them every day don't have the awe for them that people further away have. It's sort of like the Redwoods that we enjoy, but if you live next to them all you see is lumber. Sort of like the farmers throwing their garbage in a wetland where it will not bother them. Waste land you know.

 

[Davy Crockett]

I read an article a while back that said the proposed location is owned by one of the Board of directors .

- - - Updated - - -

Found the quote but the link doesn't work.


The developer of a proposed oil refinery near picturesque Theodore Roosevelt National Park tells North Dakota regulators the company isn't trying to skirt state ... that's going to be a shot in the arm for Billings County," said Greg Kessel, who owns the refinery site and serves on Meridian's board of directors.

 

[raider]

Everyone wants a refinery, but they don't want it in their back yard so they put it where there are not enough people to resist it. I think they chose the location because it's in the Badlands and people who see them every day don't have the awe for them that people further away have. It's sort of like the Redwoods that we enjoy, but if you live next to them all you see is lumber. Sort of like the farmers throwing their garbage in a wetland where it will not bother them. Waste land you know.

gst is now twitching, and he's not sure why...

here we go...

 

[deleted user]

I'm far from a tree hugger, but there has got to be a better place for this project. I'm all for oil/gas, but theres lots of room out there that doesn't really get used by people. Places that I can't imagine aren't about as good as this location.

By the way, I am one of those crazy people who's been out there hiking when its below zero (the better half is into photography, though I do understand what you're saying).

 

[fly2cast]

It doesn't make any sense to me. I am for drilling but why do they need it in the badlands. There is a lot of land in the state. It doesn't need to be there.

 

[dean nelson]

There is already a tank farm at a giant transload facility that will be between them and the Badlands not to mention God knows how many oil wells and several oilfield service companies including a big ass one for Whiting petroleum. I mean seriously the only bad thing about the spot that's somewhat regrettable is that it's only a couple miles from the badlands but it's not like they built it on the Missouri River right next to I-94 in a spot that's actually quite beautiful instead of being in an area near where it's beautiful or anyting! #$%^&>

 

[PrairieGhost]

So it's just ugly grain fields? Ok then. I know it's only a drop in the bucket, but if we could reduce grain production we could reduce the surplus and bring the price up without selling to Cuba, or the need for a billion in support prices. We need CRP again.

 

[JMF]

Everyone wants a refinery, but they don't want it in their back yard so they put it where there are not enough people to resist it. I think they chose the location because it's in the Badlands and people who see them every day don't have the awe for them that people further away have. It's sort of like the Redwoods that we enjoy, but if you live next to them all you see is lumber. Sort of like the farmers throwing their garbage in a wetland where it will not bother them. Waste land you know.

You are such a troll.

 

[PrairieGhost]

I read an article a while back that said the proposed location is owned by one of the Board of directors .

Davey I think you found the answer.

You are such a troll.

Not really back in 1999 I had to pick out a few hundred wetlands in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. One thing I had to watch for is not to have garbage dumps in the wetland. One wetland in South Dakota had a few willows and I didn't notice what was in them. Every time I got my nose close to water trying to take samples in three feet of water it smelled bad. Then when I got close to those willows there were maggots in the water. Turns out it was where they dumped all their dead animals and there was three dead and bloating cows only about 25 feet from me with my face in the water. Nothing to do with trolling I am dead serious.

 

[eyexer]

there's already lots of oil structure in the area. this won't be that big of a deal it doesn't appear.

 

[gone_fishing]

This article shows the proposed location just a couple miles west of Belfield: http://www.keyzradio.com/north-dakota-agency-asks-for-more-data-in-refinery-proposal/

Was/is there another proposed location? This location is in Billings county (barely).

 

[johnr]

Looks like it will bring an additional 200+ fulltime jobs to an area that really needs it. I am not seeing an issue

 

[Davy Crockett]

Looks like it will bring an additional 200+ fulltime jobs to an area that really needs it. I am not seeing an issue

24/7/365 long term.

 

[Paddledogger]

Looks like it will bring an additional 200+ fulltime jobs to an area that really needs it. I am not seeing an issue

200 workers to build it...not 200 to operate it after it’s built. More like 30-40. I have to admit, I thought the location was west of the Fryburg terminal.