Regulators Approve Cerilon's $3.2B Gas-to-Liquids Plant in North Dakota

The North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a $3.2 billion gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant proposed by Canadian company Cerilon. The GTL plant will be built near Trenton in Williams County, ND, and will convert natural gas into higher-value products like diesel fuel and lubricants.

The PSC unanimously approved the siting application, however they mandated that Cerilon create a construction management plan addressing local traffic concerns raised during a public hearing.

Rochelle Harding, director of sustainability and engagement for Alberta-based Cerilon, said construction should begin in 2026 and is expected to take about two years with approximately 2,000 workers on site at its peak. 

In addition to producing liquid products, the plant will produce more electricity than it will use and will help supply power to the region. Cerilon also plans to capture carbon emissions from the GTL plant and send the carbon dioxide through a pipeline to a sequestration site.