Dakota Gasification Company

About Dakota Gasification Company

Dakota Gasification Company, a for-profit subsidiary of Basin Electric Power Cooperative, operates the Great Plains Synfuels Plant near Beulah, North Dakota. The plant began operating in 1984, built by Great Plains Gasification Associates in response to the 1970s energy crisis. Dakota Gas acquired the facility from the U.S. Department of Energy in 1988. Headquarters are in Bismarck, North Dakota. The Synfuels Plant is the only commercial-scale U.S. coal gasification facility producing synthetic natural gas from lignite. Using Lurgi gasifiers, it converts about 18,000 tons of lignite daily into an average 150 million cubic feet of synthetic natural gas (capacity 170 MMcf/day). It also manufactures fertilizers (ammonium sulfate, anhydrous ammonia, urea), chemicals (phenol, cresylic acid, naphtha, tar oil), carbon dioxide (pipeline and beverage-grade liquid), krypton, xenon, liquid nitrogen, and diesel exhaust fluid. Since 2000 the plant has captured CO2 for geologic sequestration, delivering roughly 2 million metric tons annually to Saskatchewan for enhanced oil recovery, totaling over 44 million metric tons. The site employs over 500 people and includes two SNG pipelines and a CO2 pipeline. Products serve energy markets (synthetic natural gas shipped via Northern Border Pipeline for heating and power), agriculture (fertilizers), chemical manufacturers, oil and gas operators (CO2 for enhanced oil recovery), beverage industry (food-grade CO2), and transportation (diesel exhaust fluid). Subsidiary Souris Valley Pipeline Ltd. transports up to 165 MMscf/day of CO2 to Canadian oil fields. Basin Electric's member-owners receive wholesale energy, and the plant supplies synthetic natural gas to Basin Electric's peaking facilities. The plant was conceived to advance U.S. energy independence. Dakota Gas highlights safety, responsible care, and carbon capture leadership, noting it has operated the world's largest carbon capture and storage project since 2000. Over $1.3 billion has been invested since 1988 for environmental compliance, efficiency, and product diversification, including a $700 million expansion for urea, liquid CO2, and DEF production.

Equipment

• Lurgi gasifiers
• Great Plains Synfuels Plant
• Northern Border Pipeline connection
• Souris Valley Pipeline Ltd. (CO2 pipeline)
• Antelope Valley Station (shared facilities)
• Freedom Mine (coal supply)

Company details

Location

Beulah, North Dakota

Company type

Manufacturer

Employees

over 500

Founded

1988

Export compliance

Export to Canada (Saskatchewan)

Production volume

170 million cubic feet per day synthetic natural gas capacity; 18,000 tons lignite coal daily; 2.25 million metric tons CO2 capture capacity per year; 2 million metric tons CO2 delivered annually

Listed under

• Solar Panels in North Dakota

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