February 18, 2013 [Granite Peak] - Cogent Energy Solutions, LLC and Granite Peak Development, LLC announced today plans to build a joint crude oil unit train loading facility along BNSF Railway’s mainline at Granite Peak’s Casper Logistics Hub near Casper, Wyoming. Construction is slated to begin in April with completion targeted for October 2013.
The facility design will allow for the loading of multiple grades of crude oil, both heavy and light, while also providing blending onsite.
The terminal will offer both fungible and dedicated tank storage with an initial capacity of 900,000 barrels of crude and capability to expand to a capacity of more than 3 million barrels.
“We are very proud to be working alongside Granite Peak on this project,” said Randy Balhorn, Cogent President. “The Casper location has long been targeted for this type of asset because of its proximity to pipelines carrying Canadian and domestic crudes, as well as local production.
The double-loop track design will feature 20 loading arms per loop and will enable the facility to simultaneously load two 118 tank car unit trains with different crude grades. In addition, the 12 truck bays will allow for expedited truck unloading. The facility will be an open, third-party terminal focused on providing the highest level of service to shippers.
“Granite Peak Development is pleased to have the opportunity to partner with BNSF and Cogent on this exciting endeavor. We would also like to thank Natrona County and Wyoming Business Council for their support and assistance in making the Casper Logistics Hub a reality,” said Rich Fairservis, Granite Peak CEO.
“Crude-by-rail is consistently providing producers with a flexible, long-term and economic solution to ship crude oil to destination markets along East, West and Gulf coasts and along the Mississippi River,” said Dave Garin, BNSF group vice president, industrial products.
“We are look forward to working with Cogent and Granite Peak Development to develop additional crude loading capacity in Wyoming.”
