PCL Construction has been officially selected as the general contractor for a massive $3.75 billion Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) facility in Trenton, North Dakota, a project set to fundamentally alter the economics of the Bakken shale play. Developed by Canadian firm Cerilon, this facility addresses a critical infrastructure bottleneck in the region: the oversupply of “associated gas” which is often flared due to pipeline capacity constraints. By converting this abundant natural gas feedstock into high-value liquid fuels, the plant effectively turns a waste product into a premium commodity. Consequently, the project represents a strategic shift for North Dakota, moving the state further down the value chain from simple extraction to advanced petrochemical manufacturing. This ensures that more economic value is retained locally rather than piped out of state.

Industrial Scale and Modular Execution

The technical scope of the project is immense, requiring the fabrication and installation of complex process trains capable of producing approximately 24,000 barrels per day of ultra-low sulfur diesel and specialty fluids. PCL Construction’s Industrial division will oversee the execution, which likely involves a heavy emphasis on modular construction techniques. Given North Dakota’s harsh winters, much of the facility’s superstructure and piping racks will be prefabricated off-site in controlled environments before being shipped to Trenton for final assembly. This “plug-and-play” approach reduces the density of on-site labor during freezing conditions and accelerates the mechanical completion timeline. Furthermore, the facility will integrate Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) capabilities, necessitating the installation of specialized compressors and injection infrastructure to ensure the plant meets low-carbon fuel standards.

Cerilon GTL Facility: Factsheet

Project Name: Cerilon GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) Facility

Location: Trenton, North Dakota (Williams County)

Developer: Cerilon (Calgary-based)

General Contractor: PCL Construction

Total Investment: ~$3.75 – $4 Billion

Feedstock: Natural Gas (Associated gas from Bakken formation)

Production Capacity:

~24,000 barrels per day (bpd) total output.

Products: Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), jet fuel, naphtha, specialty lubricants.

Key Technical Features:

GTL Technology: Fischer-Tropsch process converting gas to liquid hydrocarbons.

CCS Integration: Designed with Carbon Capture and Storage to lower carbon intensity.

Modular Build: Extensive off-site fabrication to mitigate weather risks.

Construction Timeline:

Selection: Early 2026

Construction Start: mid-2026 (anticipated)

Target Completion: 2028

Economic Impact:

Construction Jobs: ~1,500 at peak.

Permanent Jobs: ~95 full-time operators/engineers.

Strategic Value: Reduces natural gas flaring in the Bakken; provides local fuel security.

Workforce Mobilization and Economic Impact

Mobilization for the project will trigger one of the largest labor calls in the region’s history, with a peak construction workforce estimated at 1,500 skilled tradespeople. This influx creates an immediate demand for pipefitters, welders, and heavy equipment operators, injecting millions into the local hospitality and housing sectors of Williams County. Once operational—targeted for 2028—the plant will sustain nearly 100 permanent, high-wage operating positions. Moreover, the production of “drop-in” synthetic fuels provides regional farmers and logistics fleets with a local source of clean-burning diesel, insulating the local economy from global oil price volatility.

Ultimately, this project serves as a blueprint for the future of the Williston Basin, proving that industrial decarbonization and fossil fuel utilization can coexist through advanced engineering—a strategic expansion of gas-fired infrastructure that is similarly accelerating in Appalachia, as Calpine advances a $1 billion natural gas power project in West Virginia. Located in Moundsville, Marshall County, this revived development will construct a major natural gas-fired facility to support the PJM Interconnection grid, creating over 400 construction jobs and advancing Governor Patrick Morrisey’s “50 by 50” initiative to drastically increase the state’s power generation capacity.