Construction of Dickinson Refinery Three-Quarters Done

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) — Construction of an oil refinery near Dickinson is about three-fourths complete.

Bismarck-based MDU Resources Group and Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Products Partners are building the Dakota Prairie Refinery, at a cost of up to $300 million. Construction started in March 2013. The facility is slated to be operating late this year.

The refinery will process crude from the rich Bakken and Three Forks formations in western North Dakota, helping meet an unprecedented need for diesel fuel in the booming oil patch.

The refinery will employ about 90 workers. MDU officials tell KXMB-TV that 70 of the positions already have been filled.