Marathon hits design capacity at Dickinson renewable diesel plant

In its second-quarter financials, Marathon Petroleum Corp. updated the public on its renewable diesel operation in Dickinson, North Dakota, and conversion plans for its refinery in Martinez, California.

"Our renewable projects are progressing well,” said Michael Hennigan, president and CEO. “The Dickinson renewable diesel plant reached its design capacity during the quarter. Detailed engineering and permitting progressed for the conversion of Martinez to renewable fuels.”

In February, the company said it would hit full capacity in Dickinson in March, or by the end of the first quarter.

Marathon has long reported design capacity in Dickinson to be 184 million gallons per year (mgy), or 12,000 barrels per day. Haldor Topsoe, with which Marathon contracted for its HydroFlex™ process technology at the facility, reports the capacity at 10,000 barrels a day, or more than 153 mgy. The refinery uses soybean oil and distillers corn oil as feedstock.

For the Martinez project, Marathon reported that in addition to detailed engineering and permitting activities, the company continues to advance discussions with feedstock suppliers. The Martinez facility is expected to produce 260 mgy of renewable diesel by the second half of 2022, with pretreatment capabilities coming online in 2023. The company anticipates further expansion of renewable diesel production capacity in Martinez to 730 mgy by the end of 2023.

Jeff Sexton, Marathon’s refining technology director, said the Dickinson plant reaching its design capacity is a great accomplishment for both Marathon and Haldor Topsoe. “We are also excited about the conversion of the Martinez refinery to renewable fuels production with an even larger capacity,” he said. “We are pleased to be working with Topsoe to expand our production of renewable diesel.”

Henrik Rasmussen, a managing director with Haldor Topsoe, said Marathon is moving forward with a number of additional renewable fuels projects. “And we’re proud to contribute to this important endeavor,” he said.

For Marathon’s second-quarter financials, click here.