Proposed North Dakota refinery to co-process renewable feedstocks
April 18, 2024
BY Erin Voegele
Meridian Energy Group Inc., the developer of a proposed greenfield oil refinery in Belfield, North Dakota, on April 16 announced that the facility will have the ability to co-process up to 4,000 barrels per day vegetable oil.
The proposed facility, known as the Davis Refinery, is expected to have 49,500 barrels per day of production capacity. According to Merdian Energy Group, the refinery’s diesel hydrotreater unit is designed to co-process up to 20% vegetable oil, producing renewable diesel that will comply with Renewable Fuel Standard requirements.
“This allows us to not only meet our RINS credit balance under the RFS, but to also offset our Scope 1 CO2 emissions,” said Mark Fonda, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Merdian. “This is an important development for the energy industry as it enables the refining industry to accelerate decarbonization and to play an even greater role in the transition to a carbon neutral future.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
The proposed facility has been under development for nearly a decade, with initial permits granted in 2016. The project broke ground in 2018 but faced multiple delays, including those related to litigation According to the company, field construction activities are expected to resume this summer.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Related Stories
Neste and DHL Express have strengthened their collaboration with the supply of 7,400 tons (9.5 million liters) of neat, i.e. unblended, Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel to DHL Express at Singapore Changi Airport starting July 2025.
CoBank’s latest quarterly research report, released July 10, highlights current uncertainty around the implementation of three biofuel policies, RFS RVOs, small refinery exemptions (SREs) and the 45Z clean fuels production tax credit.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration maintained its forecast for 2025 and 2026 biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released July 8.
XCF Global Inc. on July 10 shared its strategic plan to invest close to $1 billion in developing a network of SAF production facilities, expanding its U.S. footprint, and advancing its international growth strategy.
U.S. fuel ethanol capacity fell slightly in April, while biodiesel and renewable diesel capacity held steady, according to data released by the U.S. EIA on June 30. Feedstock consumption was down when compared to the previous month.
Upcoming Events
