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The new Energy Park West already has a new tenant, as a North Dakota-based transportation company finalized its purchase of 20 acres just west of Minot on Friday.

Mark Johnsrud, owner of Badlands PowerFuels, said Monday that his company purchased the land with the intention of opening a truck shop there.

"We intend to use it for a truck repair and maintenance facility," Johnsrud said, adding that driver services would also be located there.

Johnsrud said PowerFuels also has an administrative office in Minot, which will not change with the addition of the new facility.

"That will remain where it is," Johnsrud said.

PowerFuels specializes in the transportation of drilling fluids and crude oil, according to its Web site at (www.powerfuels.com). The company also offers rental of tanks, loaders, manifolds and pumps. Its service area ranges as far away as the Baker, Mont., area to the south and west, and Lignite to the north. Minot is its easternmost facility. Other locations include Sidney, Mont., Dickinson, Williston and Killdeer, among others.

Its sister company, Landtech, is an oilfield service company headquartered in Sidney.

PowerFuels currently has service shops in both Watford City and Tioga, which will now be augmented by the Minot facility as the westward march of oil activity continues.

"Minot is a critical location for our growth as we take care of our customers," Johnsrud said.

Energy Park West, located approximately three-quarters of a mile west of the U.S. Highway 83 Bypass, will be to the north of U.S. Highway 2 and 52. The Minot City Council unanimously approved the area for subdivision into seven lots in February.

Johnsrud said PowerFuels is the first to purchase land in the Energy Park West area. The Great Plains Energy Park east of Minot has been under development for a few years with great success.

The land for Energy Park West is property of the Vallely family and adjoins Behm family property in the area.

Paul Behm said Tuesday that he and Fred Hurt, the partners selling the lots in Energy Park West, are encouraged that the development is off and running.

"Just like the City of Minot with Pure Energy, it's good to get that first one down," Behm said. "That way the rest can start falling into place."

Behm said there has been a good deal of interest in the remaining space in Energy Park West, but to date no other sales have been made.

"But with PowerFuels taking a large part of it, it's getting off the ground now," Behm said.