Delta Flying High on Bakken Oil - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Delta Flying High on Bakken Oil

The next time you travel with Delta Airlines, you'll might be flying high on Bakken oil.

That's because Delta just received it's first shipment of Bakken crude at its refinery in Pennsylvania.

Delta purchased the refinery last year to get control of its fuel costs.

Now that North Dakota oil is being transported, not just in pipelines, but by rail, Bakken crude is helping release the tether that binds east coast refineries to overseas crude.

In fact, rail transport is opening up the entire U.S. to Bakken crude.

Justin Kringstad, Director, ND Pipeline Authority: "Within the continental U.S., yes, we can reach, essentially, all corners of the U.S. And it's really exciting, again, those new markets that are opening up for North Dakota production, so the rail has worked out very well."

Refineries are configured to run certain types of crude -- and Bakken crude is an especially good fit for east coast facilities.

So not only is Bakken oil creating jobs in North Dakota, it's breathing new life into previously idled refineries, including the Delta facility, creating jobs across the country.

Ron Ness, President, ND Petroleum Council: "Those Philadelphia refiners, you know, that refinery was going to be closed. They have closed one refinery out there. Hess closed a refinery in New Jersey, because they were having to rely on this high-priced Brent crude oil. The Bakken oil can get to them cheaper, reduce their costs, so it's keeping those refineries alive, which is very important to all of us."

Delta Airlines has said crude from Bakken shale is enabling them to improve profits and retain jobs at its refinery, because Bakken crude is less expensive -- even with rail shipping costs -- than foreign crude.