PSC Speeds Up Pipeline Project | Video

Brian Howell | 9/20/2011

The Public Service Commission agreed to speed up two pipeline projects, which commissioners say are another signal of the magnitude of North Dakota`s oil play.

Enbridge Pipeline submitted letters of intent to upgrade projects in Little Muddy and Grenora. PSC commissioners say the small injection projects would allow more Bakken and Three Forks crude to flow into a larger transmission system.

Commissioner Kevin Cramer says Enbridge has now invested more than a billion dollars into Bakken expansion projects over the last several years.

"Pipeline companies are, sort of, the last investors. For a pipeline company to invest $1 billion, they have to be confident of two things. They have to be confident, first of all, of the supply, on the one side, which is, of course, the vast reserves of Bakken/Three Forks crude, and confident of a buyer, on the other side, which are the refineries in the industrial mid-west and points beyond," explained Commissioner Kevin Kramer.

The PSC shortened the 1-year waiting period, so Enbridge can file an application in three weeks. Then, construction could begin this spring, and would be wrapped up in December 2012.

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