WBI Energy presented details of its proposed Bakken East pipeline on Oct. 29, telling the Legislative Interim Committee on Energy and Natural Resources that the project is intended to provide new takeaway capacity from the Williston Basin to support oil production, local power generation and industrial growth across North Dakota.

Mark Anderson, vice president for business development at WBI Energy, said the plan envisions a two‑phase pipeline commencing in McKenzie County and extending east to a Mapleton/Fargo terminus. WBI outlined a potential western segment built with 36‑inch pipe stepping down to 30‑inch in the east, new compressor stations and multiple interconnections to existing interstate pipeline systems. Anderson said the company has engaged customers across the state and expects the project to be developed in phases to match customer needs.

Key schedule milestones Anderson described include a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) pre‑filing later in 2025, a binding open season planned for early 2026, execution of precedent agreements in the second quarter of 2026 and a 7(c) FERC application in the third quarter. He said WBI expects a FERC certificate in early 2028 and would target western phase service in late 2029 and full service through eastern North Dakota by 2030.

Justin Kringstead, director of the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, said the Industrial Commission had reviewed proposals and selected the WBI Bakken East project for the state’s capacity‑support program. Kringstead described the state’s role as a temporary “capacity bridge” — the Industrial Commission would take an interim position on a portion of capacity (illustrative program number discussed by staff was $50 million/year in program cost exposure) to reduce up‑front market risk and enable timely construction, with the goal of transferring that capacity to commercial shippers as customers commit to take service.

Why it matters: North Dakota’s oil production is supported by the ability to move associated gas. Committee members and presenters argued that takeaway capacity strengthens the Bakken’s economics and underpins oilfield longevity and regional economic activity. Anderson said WBI has discussed interconnections that would broaden access — including storage services and tie‑ins to Northern Border, Alliance and Viking systems — and said the company is working to align the project with expected load and generation growth across the state.

Provenance: WBI presentation and pipeline authority discussion at Committee hearing, Oct. 29, 2025 (start: 01:41:39; finish: 02:15:46).