Key Points

• Marathon Petroleum Corporation in collaboration with MPLX donated a fully operational Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) Unit to Bismarck State College (BSC), enhancing students’ hands-on training with real-world energy industry equipment.
• The LACT Unit, modified for educational use, allows students to study petroleum measurement, safety protocols and maintenance procedures, directly aligning with industry practices.
• This donation reflects MPLX’s ongoing commitment to workforce development and its strong partnership with BSC, where many employees, including alumni like Ryan Baumgartner, began their energy careers.

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Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) in collaboration with MPLX donated a fully operational Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) Unit to Bismarck State College (BSC), providing students direct experience with real-world energy industry equipment.

The de-commissioned LACT Unit, which is now installed at BSC’s Advanced Technology Center, was originally intended for internal training at MPLX. After determining it wasn’t the right fit for that purpose, the company modified the unit for safety and educational use and donated it to the college’s Energy and Technology program.

“This unit is the same type of equipment we use in the field every day,” said Ryan Baumgartner, an MPC employee and BSC alumnus. “By donating it to BSC, we’re giving students the chance to work hands-on with technology they’ll encounter in their careers.”

LACT Units are essential in the midstream industry for measuring the volume and quality of petroleum products. They identify water and sediment levels and ensure crude oil meets purity standards before entering the pipeline system and storage facilities. Students at BSC will now be able to study the unit’s operations, safety protocols and maintenance procedures, skills that are directly applicable to careers in the energy sector.

“By donating it to BSC, we’re giving students the chance to work hands-on with technology they’ll encounter in their careers.”

“This allows our students to have hands-on experience with an actual piece of equipment that is in use at oil production sites,” said Clayton Marcellais, an energy instructor at BSC. “It’s a unique opportunity that gives them a leg up when they enter the workforce.”

The donation reflects a broader commitment to workforce development and community partnerships. MPLX has a long-standing relationship with BSC, with many employees having completed programs at the college.

“We see the value of BSC,” Baumgartner said. “We’re able to bring in employees who may not have much work experience but are well prepared for the industry. We’re all working together to grow in the industry.”

Baumgartner’s own career began at BSC. He transitioned from working as a mechanic by enrolling in the college’s Process Technology program. He later completed his associate degree as well as his bachelor’s in Energy Management through BSC.

“I really do feel they have an excellent program,” he said. “The staff is great to work with, and you can tell they put a lot of effort into getting their energy students ready for the workforce.”

By aligning classroom instruction with real-world tools and practices, MPLX and BSC are working together to ensure the next generation of energy professionals is ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry.