ESAI: 2.7 million b/d US crude pipeline capacity delayed in 2021

Pipeline projects in the US that were slated for startup in 2021 are facing huge challenges from an uncertain demand outlook, lengthy court battles, and regulatory review. While some projects already under construction are moving forward, about 2.7 million b/d of new takeaway will be postponed, according to ESAI Energy’s North America Watch report.

The most noteworthy is the potential loss of the 570,000 b/d Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and its planned expansion due to legal hurdles. A shutdown DAPL will create bottlenecks as other pipelines fill up, resulting in more dependency on rail and weaker prices for Bakken crude, the report said. This in turn will adversely impact production that had already been shut in due to the impacts of COVID-19.

In its summation of postponed projects, the report shows that while DAPL is facing a potential shutdown due to environmental permitting, the 350,000 b/d Liberty pipeline that would deliver more Bakken crude to Cushing was deferred in March due to deteriorating economic conditions resulting from COVID-19. The lack of pipeline takeaway from North Dakota is expected to result in an increase in crude-by-rail of some 300,000–350,000 b/d. The report further concludes that some curtailed Bakken production may not be brought back, and the basin will decline by roughly 270,000 b/d on an annual basis in 2020 and by a further 65,000 b/d in 2021.

“An uncertain outcome for Dakota Access will have knock-on effects for the Bakken, such as capital being diverted to other basins that have better access to markets,” said Elisabeth Murphy, analyst at ESAI Energy. “Without spending on more rigs and frac crews, the Bakken will have a more difficult time offsetting decline and getting production back up to 2019 levels.”