Happy Hump Day aka Wednesday!
Did anyone happen
to see the newsletter from the Oil & Gas Journal on September 11, 2023,
they had an article titled, “Corps of Engineers lists options for fate of
Dakota Access Pipeline”? In the article,
it goes on to speak about what the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) came up with
when they were court ordered to reconsider easement approval for the Dakota Access
Pipeline’s Missouri River crossing. The
Dakota Access Pipeline is a 30- inch crude oil pipeline which is 1,172-miles
long which starts in North Dakota and ends at a hub in Patoka, Illinois where
it is connects with other oil pipelines.
USACE came up with four options which the final decision won’t be decided
until after the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The draft of the EIS was released September 8,
2023, and it is very comprehensive report which goes into great detail about the
options, and it is in its public comment phase and the phase closes November
13, 2023. The options USACE offered
comes down to allow the easement or withdraw the easement. The first two options withdraw the easement
which will to close down the crude oil pipeline and either they restore
the area to its natural beauty; or allow the pipe to stay as is and let nature
take over. The other two options grant
the easement, but then three scenarios evolve increase the amount of oil
allowed to 1.1 million barrels a day, allow the pipeline crossing with some additional
requirements to reduce the impact, if there is an accidental release like sampling
and leak detection technology, or majorly change the route of the pipeline and
require additional permits and this would cause at least a two-year delay. USACE has a serious decision to make in regard to this pipeline, so stay tuned to see what the final outcome is! If you would like to read the full article from the Oil & Gas
Journal article, please click the link: Corps
of Engineers lists options for fate of Dakota Access Pipeline | Oil & Gas
Journal (ogj.com).
If you would
like to check out the USACE’s Dakota Access Pipeline project update; please
click the link: Dakota Access Pipeline (army.mil).
If you would
like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently and avoid
some of the pitfalls, contact us via the email in the blog and check out our ESC's website!
We hope you have a wonderful evening!
**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read the Oil
& Gas Journal’s article. **