Williston Basin to expand Grasslands pipeline capacity

Aug. 29, 2008
Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co., (WBI) the wholly owned natural gas transmission pipeline subsidiary of MDU Resources Group Inc., reported it will expand firm transportation capacity on its existing Grasslands Pipeline to 213 MMcfd from the current 138 MMcfd—a 54% increase. Project cost is expected to be about $28 million.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 29--Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co., (WBI) the wholly owned natural gas transmission pipeline subsidiary of MDU Resources Group Inc., reported it will expand firm transportation capacity on its existing Grasslands Pipeline to 213 MMcfd from the current 138 MMcfd—a 54% increase. Project cost is expected to be about $28 million.

The 253-mile Grasslands pipeline extends from the Powder River basin in northeastern Wyoming to western North Dakota, where it connects with the Northern Border pipeline.

The project will include the construction of two new compressor stations; one in western North Dakota near Golva, the other in the far corner of southeastern Montana near the Wyoming border. Additional horsepower also will be added to an existing compressor station near Manning, ND. The targeted in-service date is August 2009, pending timely receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals.

Williston Basin conducted an open season on the expansion project in early July, seeking customer commitment for the additional capacity, and the resulting strong customer demand resulted in the expansion project. The Grasslands pipeline held an initial capacity of 80 MMcfd when it was placed in service in late 2003. Since installation, the pipeline has been incrementally expanded, bringing firm transportation capacity on that segment to its current total.