North Dakota's oil production recently reached 730,000 barrels per day. That represents a more than sevenfold increase since 2006, when production was around 100,000 barrels per day.�Energy companies with major operations in the prolific shale formation are seeing similarly extraordinary improvements in production volumes.
For instance, Kodiak Oil & Gas (NYSE: KOG ) , which has its operations focused almost exclusively in the Williston Basin, roughly tripled its average production from 2011 to 2012. And the company is hoping for similar gains this year, projecting a twofold increase in average production from�last year.
Bakken production has expanded so rapidly, in fact, that companies have encountered major difficulties in transporting all that oil to other parts of the country. The most convenient way to do this would be to build a pipeline directly from North Dakota to the East Coast. But that requires tremendous capital investment and a lot of time.
In the meantime, companies have increasingly resorted to other means, including rail, barge, and even trucks. Over the past year or so, the demand for these alternative transport services has ballooned.
Growing demand for rail transport
Rail transport is allowing Bakken crude to be shipped to major terminals on the East and West coasts of the country, as well as to St. James, La. � a major hub that delivers crude to refineries in Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Midwest.
For instance, Tesoro (NYSE: TSO ) finished up an offloading terminal at its Anacortes, Wash., refinery last year that will be able to ship as much as 50,000 barrels per day of Bakken crude via rail.
Many more such ventures are expected to come on line this year. According to Eric Lee, an oil analyst at Citigroup, projects going into service this year should more than double the quantity of Bakken crude delivered to the East Coast, from around 300,000 barrels per day to over 800,000 barrels per�day. Let's take a look at some major ones.
Rail projects for 2013
Most recently, PBF Energy (NYSE: PBF ) announced the completion of a rail unloading facility with a capacity of roughly 110,000 barrels per day flowing from the Bakken. After the oil is unloaded, it will make its way to a refinery in Delaware City, Del.
A south Philadelphia refinery, previously owned by Sunoco and almost shut down last year, is now constructing a high-speed rail unloading facility that will move rail-delivered oil straight to the refinery. By the end of the year, the refinery � which has a capacity of 330,000 barrels per day, or roughly a quarter of total East Coast refining capacity � is expected to drastically increase the quantity of Bakken oil it�takes in.
Last month, Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX ) inked a five-year contract with Global Partners, a petroleum products company, which will allow for the delivery of Bakken crude to Phillips' Bayway refinery in New Jersey via Global Partners' rail�network.
And Plains All American (NYSE: PAA ) is in the process of completing a rail terminal in Virginia that is expected to take delivery of some 160,000 barrels per day of Bakken crude by the third quarter.
Winners from rising Bakken crude shipments
While Bakken crude traded at a substantial discount to WTI over much of the past year � reaching a high of $28 per barrel in February � its price has risen substantially�as it finds more outlets throughout the country. It currently trades just about $3 under WTI.
These are promising developments both for East Coast refiners and for rail companies.
Many refineries along the East Coast have been forced to rely on more expensive foreign oil from the North Sea and Africa, which has taken a toll on their profit margins. The new influx of Bakken crude is providing them with a cheaper alternative, even after factoring in transport costs.
The transport costs associated with moving Bakken crude to the East Coast, via rail networks and barges, are between $14 and $16 a barrel. Even after accounting for these costs, Bakken crude is still more than $5 a barrel cheaper than the Brent-linked crude East Coast refiners have been depending on.
Higher demand for transporting Bakken crude is also proving to be a lifesaver for rail companies, which have experienced a dramatic decline in coal shipment volumes. Demand for rail services from oil companies is so high, in fact, that many are being forced to wait up to nine months to lease rail cars, according to Oppenheimer's senior energy analyst�Fadel Gheit.
A minor setback for midcontinent refiners
However, more expensive Bakken crude poses a minor issue for midcontinent refiners, which have enjoyed robust margins due to their ability to use it as a feedstock and sell the refined product at much higher prices.
If the price of Bakken crude rises substantially, Tesoro's refineries in Mandan, N.D., and Anacortes � both heavy users of Bakken crude as feedstock � are likely to see�shrinking margins.
Still, even at around $93 a barrel, Bakken crude looks much more attractive to refiners than coastal crude, which trades at Brent-linked prices that makes it about $20 more expensive per barrel. According to a spokesman for Valero (NYSE: VLO ) , there is "still incentive to run [Bakken crude]." Accordingly, the San Antonio-based refiner continues to run about 140,000 barrels of Bakken�crude per day at its refinery in Memphis, Tenn.
Final thoughts
Overall, growing shipments of Bakken crude via rail and other alternative methods of transport look to be welcome developments. Faced with pipeline infrastructure that has proved woefully insufficient, crude shipments via rail and barge illustrate the resourcefulness of the nation's energy companies, which are actively seeking ways to reduce costs and boost profits.
Though rising prices for Bakken crude do pose a minor setback to refiners who use it heavily, it's only an impediment from a relative standpoint. After all, even at its current price, Bakken crude remains incredibly cheap compared to Brent.
In contrast, high demand for shipping it has proved hugely beneficial to U.S. rail companies, especially during a period in which shipments of coal � their main commodity by volume � have fallen markedly. Lastly, Bakken crude shipments are also offering a glimmer of hope to East Coast refiners, many of whom have struggled with shrinking margins over the past year or so.
The Bakken remains one of the most prolific oil plays in North America. With new outlets for its production, be sure to keep a close eye on the region's oil and gas producers. One of the most compelling growth stories within the Bakken is that of Kodiak Oil & Gas. An oil-focused junior, the company has an ambitious production target. However, before you hitch your horse to this carriage let us help you with your due diligence. To see if Kodiak is currently a buy or sell, check out our new premium report, which comes with a year of timely updates and analysis.
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