On 11 March, Calumet Montana Refining held a public forum to provide an update on its Great Falls expansion project. The forum was attended by Calumet officials, the refinery's Community Advisory Panel, Great Falls Fire/Rescue and Cascade County Disaster and Emergency Services, Great Falls Public Schools and Great Falls Development Authority. The US$400 million expansion, which will see the company install a new crude unit, mild pressure hydrocracker and a tackage, is expected to double the facility’s production capacity from 10 000 bpd to 20 000 bpd.
Dana Leach, Calumet’s Vice President of Refining Operations, noted that construction work for the project, which has now hit the half way point, has gone smoothly so far. "It's gone fairly well. Of course, there are some bumps in the road, but overall we are very pleased with the way it's gone. This winter has been good and the construction has gone well this winter. So we are coming into spring a little behind but really on track to make our projected schedule."
Calumet expects the entire project to be completed by the beginning of 2016. Upon completion, it is anticipated that approximately 150 people will be employed at the refinery.
Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling
Sources: KRTV, Great Falls Tribune