Dakota Plains Holdings Inc. began frac sand trans-loading operations at the Pioneer Terminal in New Town, ND, through its new sand trans-loading joint venture.
Dakota Plains and Unimin Corp. had previously executed an agreement to construct an automated frac sand terminal with 8,000 tons of storage and a throughput capacity of 750,000 tpy. The terminal is now fully operational.
Dakota Plains’ sand joint venture has also entered into an agreement with Rail Link Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Inc., under which Rail Link will operate and maintain the company’s frac sand trans-loading facility.
Dakota Plains Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Craig McKenzie said, “We are pleased to commence our frac sand trans-loading operations at Unimin’s newly built, state-of-the-art facility at the Pioneer Terminal. This new operation will make Pioneer a major supplier of frac sand in the Williston Basin and is expected to generate about $2 million in earnings per year.”
“On behalf of Rail Link, we look forward to working with the talented team at Dakota Plains to expand operations based on increased frac sand demand, and further develop an inbound oilfield products business at the Pioneer Terminal,” said Richard Grant, director of marketing for Rail Link.