WBI Energy gets FERC approval for Wahpeton Expansion North Dakota gas pipeline

WBI Energy Inc. has received US FERC approval of its 20.6-MMcfd Wahpeton Expansion natural gas pipeline project. The 60.5-mile, 12-in. OD pipeline will increase natural gas deliveries to Wahpeton and Kindred, both in North Dakota.

Christopher E. Smith

Oct. 24, 2023

WBI Energy Inc. has received US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval of its 20.6-MMcfd Wahpeton Expansion natural gas pipeline project. The 60.5-mile, 12-in. OD pipeline will increase natural gas deliveries to Wahpeton and Kindred, both in eastern North Dakota.

Wahpeton Expansion will run from an existing 3,000-hp compressor station at Mapleton, ND to Wahpeton. WBI expects to begin construction in early 2024 and have the pipeline in service in late 2024.

About 10 MMcfd of the expansion will be used by Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. to serve industrial and commercial customers in Wahpeton with contracts for firm natural gas service. The remainder will be sent to additional residential and commercial end users, including bringing natural gas utility service to Kindred.

Both Montana-Dakota and WBI are subsidiaries of MDU Resources Group Inc. The project is expected to cost $75 million. FERC last year issued Wahpeton Expansion’s draft environmental impact statement (OGJ Online, Nov. 7, 2022).

About the Author

Christopher E. Smith

Editor in Chief

Chris joined Oil & Gas Journal in 2005 as Pipeline Editor, having already worked for more than a decade in a variety of oil and gas industry analysis and reporting roles. He became editor-in-chief in 2019 and head of content in 2025.