Meridian Energy Group Inc. Announces Agreement with Watco Companies as Rail Logistics & Management Services Provider for the Davis Refinery

Belfield, North Dakota (June 06, 2019)—Meridian Energy Group Inc., the emerging growth refining firm and leading innovator in advanced technology and environmentally beneficial petroleum-processing facilities, announced today that the company has signed a letter of intent with Watco Companies,a leading rail-based transportation provider, under which Watco will serve as the main rail management contractor for the Davis Refinery with ongoing discussion for future developments.

“The Watco team is excited to build our relationship with Meridian Energy and capitalize on the additional service opportunities the venture has to offer. We see a great fit with our experience and synergies from our current locations with the future partnership of these locations and the surrounding communities,” stated Rob Thrall, vice president of business development at Watco.

Watco, headquartered in Pittsburg, Kansas, is experienced in improving both efficiency and asset reliability to reach overall refinery operational excellence and project certainty. The rail management and overall infrastructure services that Watco will provide to the Davis Refinery project is just one more measure Meridian has employed to ensure that the Davis Refinery will set the standard of the lowest achievable emission rates in the industry. Meridian has initiated site preparation and grading at the Davis Refinery site and is proceeding with final design and equipment fabrication and procurement with full construction, resuming in 2019.

Lance Medlin, Meridian executive vice president of projects at Watco said, “The core values of Watco align perfectly with Meridian and its commitment to both the community and the growth strategy we have set out to achieve. We are pleased to have partnered Meridian with Watco, and we are looking forward to developing the Davis Refinery with their support.”

When considering the design and operational benefits of this collaboration, Dan Hedrington, principal and senior project manager for Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., was quick to note, “This is extremely exciting to see two such highly regarded and forward thinking companies come together to impact the industry in such a positive manner.”

For more information, visit meridianenergygroupinc.com.