Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota member-owners and customers of CHS Inc. will soon benefit from completion of projects that enhance the region's refined fuels supply.

An upcoming connection between the NuStar pipeline and the Cenex Pipeline near Prosper, N.D., and related investments in additional product storage will strengthen supply to CHS customers.

While the NuStar connection project, slated for completion in spring 2017, is undergoing regulatory approval, it's already anticipated as a positive investment in the area's refined fuels supply infrastructure.

Pipeline connection, storage to boost CHS fuel supplies

"We know a dependable supply of gasoline and diesel fuel is essential to our Cenex®-branded customers and owners," said Darin Hunhoff, CHS senior vice president, refined fuels. "Over the past five years CHS has invested $90 million in developing a robust supply network across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. Our goal is to help our Cenex-branded marketers provide a reliable supply of gasoline and diesel fuel to their customers."

To maximize access to refined fuels produced at the upgraded and expanded CHS Laurel, Mont., and McPherson, Kan., refineries, the company has partnered with NuStar Pipeline on a connection at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Combined with a connection near Prosper N.D., these investments allow a higher volume of product to move efficiently from CHS refineries to existing and new terminal locations and across the CHS distribution network. In addition, the company plans to upgrade portions of its Cenex Pipeline -- which spans from Laurel, Mont., to Fargo, N.D., to expand distribution capacity.