North Dakota PSC Approves Bridger Pipeline -- May 21, 2021

Updates

June 18, 2022: approved and being laid.

Original Post 

This is another one I thought would not get approved.

From Geoff Simon:

The ND Public Service Commission approved a crude oil pipeline conversion project this week that can serve as an alternative route for North Dakota oil producers to deliver Bakken crude to market.

The Bridger Pipeline project originates near Johnson’s Corner in McKenzie County, and runs 29.4 miles southwest to Bridger’s Wilson Station located seven miles south of Watford City where it interconnects with Bridger’s existing crude oil transmission network. The projects consists of 2.4 miles of new pipeline and the conversion of an existing 27-mile gathering line. The $21 million, 8-inch pipeline project will be capable of transporting up to 50,000 barrels of oil per day to a Wyoming hub, which interconnects with other pipelines that would move the crude to refineries in the Midwest or Gulf Coast.

PSC Chair Julie Fedorchak noted that the pipeline runs through some rough terrain prone to landslides, but said she is comfortable that the company is familiar with potential hazards and is prepared to deal with them.

From the archives, along with a map, March 12, 2021:

Bridger Pipeline, a subsidiary of True Companies, is seeking to place a new transmission line in McKenzie County, which the company says in its permit application could be a “vital part of an alternate route out of North Dakota in the event of a shutdown of other pipelines leaving the Williston Basin.”

The application does not mention any particular pipelines, but there will be a hearing on April 9 to discuss a potential shutdown of the Dakota Access pipeline, while further court-ordered environmental study of the pipeline is conducted.

Bridger’s proposed 29.4-mile, 8-inch crude oil transmission line would take crude from Eighty Eight Oil company’s existing Johnson’s Corner Terminal in North Dakota to Bridger’s existing Wilson station, about 7 miles south of Watford City. From there, the oil would travel to Wyoming, where it could access other markets and refineries in Utah and Colorado, as well as trading centers in Cushing, Oklahoma and Patoka, Illinois.
Note, on that date, this information:

A public hearing for the proposed transmission line is set for 8 a.m. CST March 22 at Teddy’s Residential Suites, 113 Ninth Avenue SE in Watford City.

So, on March 22, 2021, "we" have the public hearing and by May 22, 2021, we have the PSC decision. 

Imagine if this required federal approval. 

Little Missouri River Crossing in Southwestern North Dakota Being Considered; Gravel Pit Near South Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Updates

November 8, 2015: forest service says owners can start process for mining gravel near the south unit of the park but a lot of stuff must be accomplished first. 

January 7, 2015: plans to mine gravel from the Elkhorn Ranch near the Theodore Roosevelt National Park will move forward.

September 14, 2013: Feds unable to find 25 acres out of their million acres of North Dakota land to swap; Roger Lothspeich will go forward with plans to develop his North Dakota gravel mine.

November 1, 2012: that land swap isn't working out too well. 

June 24, 2012: update here. If link broken, google Obrigewitch Jay Day Short Ranch five possible locations. There are no less than seven "Obrigewitch" wells in the current boom.

June 5, 2012: this seemed to have happened awful quickly so maybe I'm missing something, but this sounds like the end of the story. 

A plan to build a Little Missouri River bridge and road near Theodore Roosevelt’s historic Elkhorn Ranch vaulted the property to being named one of America's most endangered historic places.

Tuesday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the ranch site — a remote part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park at Medora — among 11 most endangered sites for 2012.

The trust has named more than 230 sites in its 25-year history and only a few have been lost since then, it says.

In the big scheme of things, I think this is the right decision. In the big scheme of things, this is not even a speed bump for the development of the Bakken.

June 4, 2012: from the Bismarck Tribune -- great-grandson of TR asking President Obama to declare the potential "gravel pit" a monument --

Roosevelt said he's offended by Montana businessman Roger Lothspeich's declaration that he’ll either take $2 million to go away, or open up gravel pits on the ranchlands. (Eberts Ranch)

Original Post

Link here to the Dickinson Press.

Data points:

• bridge needed to connect ND State Highway 16 with US Highway 85 in the heart of North Dakota's southwestern oil patch
• $15 million estimate
• Billings County wants the bridge; environmental impact/others require complete search from Medora (interstate) north toward Watford City (McKenzie County) to determine best spot
• I haven't looked at the maps, but I think where the Billings County folks want the bridge is in the Whiting Lewis & Clark prospect 

A new bridge may or may not require much gravel, but the new roads in the area certainly will, as pointed out by Don (thank you).

This story may surface again: link to the Bismarck Tribune regarding the Eberts Ranch /  Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Data points:

• the family ranch was bought by the government for the park, 5,200 acres, 2006; $5.5 million
• the government did not buy the mineral rights
• is now called the "Elkhorn Ranchlands"
• significant amount of gravel available for mining
• possibility that one of the larger mineral rights owners could sell his/her mineral rights to government or conservation group to prevent mining

Hmmm....20 years of legal wrangling and environmental impact statements and permits .... or ...