Ground has been broken in Unity for a new crude oil transload terminal.
The terminal, being constructed by Altex Energy Ltd., will allow crude oil producers access to all the markets via the CN and North American rail networks.
The company broke ground for the new terminal June 27. According to their announcement, the plan is for the oil to arrive at the terminal site by truck, be placed in a tank and then loaded into railway tank cars for transport by CN.
Construction of the new terminal will include replacement of 800 metres of track, installation of a tank car loading gantries, several tanks and a truck unloading operation.
It is the third Altex terminal built since March 2011. They operate a similar crude oil transload facility at Lashburn, and the company currently employs about 20 full-time personnel in transload operations and handle about 15,000 barrels per day.
They expect the Unity facility to be able to handle incremental volume, as well as reduce the trucking distance of oil from the wellhead to the Lashburn terminal.
Construction is expected to happen over the next few months with about 40 jobs created by the track improvements and terminal construction. In addition, 20 jobs are to be created on a permanent basis.
In a statement, Altex president Glen Perry praised the project.
"This project will create an additional market outlet for Canadian crude oil and it should result in significant spin-off benefits," said Perry. "Our goal is to become the preferred terminal operator and market outlet for the oil producers in Saskatchewan and Alberta."
In a statement, James Cairns, CN vice-president, petroleum and chemicals, said CN was pleased to work with partners Altex and the town of Unity.
"This terminal represents years of effort and co-operation on all sides to ensure an efficient supply chain system for customers on our network," said Cairns. "CN also serves the Altex crude oil transload operation in Lashburn, Sask., and we expect to see continued growth in our crude oil shipments from these Altex operations."
Unity town council says it is excited by the arrival of a new industry in the community, and looks forward to working with Altex. Altex have agreed to adide by all their zoning and infrastructure regulations.
"The economic benefits for our community are evident with the development of this facility by Altex,' said Mayor Sylvia Maljan.
"The expansion of the energy and the transportation sector in the Unity District is vital to our growth and prosperity. We look forward to the immediate spinoff and future job growth that will result from the development of this Transload facility."
