NEW TOWN – The North Dakota Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing in New Town on Monday, regarding a proposal to expand the existing Robinson Lake Oil Conditioning Facility in Mountrail County.

In keeping with recommendations of public health officials to minimize public gatherings during this COVID-19 event, members of the public are encouraged to provide their comments in writing. Comments will be accepted into the official record up to five days after the hearing. They can be submitted by e-mail to ndpsc@nd.gov or mailed to 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 408, Bismarck, ND 58505.

Additionally, a recording of this hearing will be available at psc.nd.gov the following day. Click on the case under “hot topics.”

Whiting Oil and Gas Corp. is proposing to increase the existing facility’s capacity from 45,000 barrels per day to 65,000 barrels per day. State law requires facilities processing more than 50,000 barrels per day obtain a siting permit from the commission. The expansion would include the installation of additional heaters, pumps and control valves. All work associated with the project will occur within the previously developed facility footprint located on Whiting property.

Estimated cost of the expansion project is $1.2 million. The cost to construct the existing facility was about $6 million.

The facility processes crude oil delivered from Whiting’s Robinson Lake oil gathering system. Once conditioned, the crude will be transported to out of state markets by pipeline. The facility is located approximately 7.9 miles northeast of New Town.

The hearing begins at 10 a.m. in Teddy’s Residential Suites.