Plains Pipeline - Bluff Creek Station (Crude Stor) - Oil Pipeline Facility in Ashland, Kansas

Plains Pipeline - Bluff Creek Station (Crude Stor) is an operational oil pipeline facility located in Ashland, Clark County, Kansas, United States. The facility is part of the Plains Pipeline network, which handles crude oil storage and transportation, supporting the broader energy supply chain in the region. The facility operates under the regulatory oversight of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and complies with 49 CFR Part 195 for hazardous liquid pipelines. As a crude oil storage station, it plays a key role in balancing supply and demand, providing buffer capacity for pipeline throughput. The facility's location in Kansas places it within a network of pipelines connecting production areas to refineries. Environmentally, the facility's proximity to rural areas and waterways necessitates robust spill prevention and cathodic protection systems. Its operational significance lies in ensuring reliable crude oil delivery to downstream markets, contributing to energy security in the central United States.

The facility is situated in a rural area of Clark County, Kansas, near the Cimarron River basin. The surrounding environment includes agricultural land and grasslands, with potential ecological sensitivity to hydrocarbon spills. Pipeline infrastructure in this region requires rigorous corrosion control and leak detection to protect groundwater and surface water resources. The facility's age and maintenance practices are critical factors in minimizing environmental risk.