Building a refinery in Cushing?

Some experts believe Americans would have more of a cushion against higher prices if the country had more refineries, to keep the supply steady. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan traveled to Cushing,

Wednesday, September 21st 2005, 10:30 am

By: News On 6

Some experts believe Americans would have more of a cushion against higher prices if the country had more refineries, to keep the supply steady.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan traveled to Cushing, where officials say the Payne County community would be a good place for a new refinery.

Cushing's massive storage tanks are just part of what makes it uniquely attractive as a location for an oil refinery. Bob Felts with the Cushing Economic Development Council: "We have critical aspects that would be required for a refinery and that is the infrastructure that can deliver crude oil."

The most important element in Cushing is an underground pipeline system used by 8 oil companies as a crossroads for 24 major pipelines. They deliver crude to refineries all over the country. Some state leaders think they should deliver crude to a new refinery that could be built in Cushing. The idea has the backing of Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode. "We need assistance from the federal government on streamline the process of permitting a new refinery."

Just being at a major crude oil crossroads might seem to be all that Cushing needs to attract a refinery, but there are other issues. There's a lack of rail service need to build a refinery, and right now, no pipeline going out of town that handles refined products. Bob Felts: "There are some people who want a smaller refinery, some people who would like a mega refinery."

The town economic development director thinks the downside is small compared to what Cushing has to offer - lots of land and lots of crude. â€œAs far as crude, we are bigger than Dallas, Fort Worth and Atlanta is for airplanes."

The tanks in Cushing can hold an estimated 30 million barrels of oil. The combination of pipelines and storage make Cushing a good location for a refinery. All the town needs is a company willing to build one.