May 12, 2014 [The Courier Press] - Marathon Petroleum Co. is planning a potential $158 million expansion of its Patoka Tank Farm in rural Marion County, Illinois. Details of the project were presented by company officials to the Marion County Board in Salem, Illinois, Tuesday night.
Phase one involves the construction of four new tanks, which will increase the crude oil storage capacity by 1.25 million barrels are expected to cost approximately $35 million. Phase two calls for five additional new tanks with a capacity of slightly less than 2 million barrels of additional storage at a cost of $61 million. A company official said Marathon is also considering a pipeline connection project which would involve an investment of $62 million more.
Company spokesman Tom Williams said permits have been approved for the construction of the first four tanks with work to begin this summer. The project will create between four and 10 full-time jobs and will use local workers in the construction phase that could have up to 200 workers on the job site over a three-year period.
