Pioneer Pipe Line Co. has begun construction of a 262-mile expansion of a pipeline carrying refined products from refineries in Montana and Wyoming to Salt Lake City, Utah, said Conoco Inc. Pioneer Pipe Line Co. is jointly owned by Conoco and Sinclair Oil Corp.
Sunblind Construction Inc., Eunice, La., and G.B. "Boots'' Smith Corp. of Houston were awarded contracts to replace the existing pipeline, which was built in the 1950s.
When completed, the expanded pipeline will transport an additional one million gal/day of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
"We are expanding the Pioneer to ensure we are able to meet anticipated increase in demand for refined products resulting from Salt Lake City's rapid growth,'' said Tom Winsock, vice president of Pioneer. "The project will replace an old 8-in. pipeline with a new 12-in. pipeline and will increase capacity from the existing 2 million gallons per day to 3 million gallons per day. The project will be completed later this year,'' he added.
Conoco said it expects the construction phase of the project will create as many as 600 jobs.