(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on April 19, 2010.)
NuStar Energy L.P. recently unloaded its first rail shipment of Bakken crude oil from North Dakota at a terminal in St. James, La. The company recently spent $2 million on the terminal to add rail-handling capabilities for crude oil.
NuStar currently can transport 5,000 barrels per day — via BNSF Railway Co., Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad — on a manifest basis. Rail traffic is projected to reach 10,000 barrels per day as Bakken crude-oil production increases throughout the summer and producers demand additional market outlets, NuStar officials said in a prepared statement.
The company also plans to develop a unit train facility by 2011 to ship domestic and Canadian crude oil inland.
“We think there’s a lot of potential to market this product through St. James,” said NuStar President and Chief Executive Officer Curt Anastasio.