BISMARCK, ND - The North Dakota Industrial Commission today welcomed WBI Energy’s announcement of a positive Final Investment Decision for the proposed Bakken East natural gas pipeline project.
The Bakken East project will create a new natural gas transmission corridor connecting western North Dakota oil and natural gas production areas with existing and emerging markets across the state. The project is designed to support continued development of associated natural gas resources produced from the Bakken oilfields, enhance long-term energy reliability, and expand access to North Dakota-produced natural gas.
“Today marks a major milestone in North Dakota’s effort to expand critical natural gas infrastructure,” the Commission said in a joint statement. “As North Dakota’s natural gas production continues to grow, projects like Bakken East are important to supporting long-term oil development, improving statewide energy reliability, and creating new opportunities for consumers, industry, electric generation, and value-added manufacturing across our state.”
The Industrial Commission approved support of this project and directed the North Dakota Pipeline Authority to execute a precedent agreement for the purchase of transportation capacity representing approximately 11% of the project’s initial design capacity. Legislative action taken during the 2025 session strengthened the state’s capacity purchase program, a strategic tool for advancing large-scale energy infrastructure projects. Together, these decisions reflect the state’s confidence in the long-term value of expanded natural gas infrastructure and are critical steps to move a project of this scale forward.
Pipeline Authority Executive Director Justin Kringstad highlighted the broader importance of expanding natural gas infrastructure in North Dakota.
“Additional transmission infrastructure will be critical to supporting long-term development and improving market access as North Dakota’s natural gas production continues to grow,” said Kringstad. “Bakken East improves transportation flexibility, supports continued natural gas capture progress, and expands access to abundant North Dakota natural gas supplies for communities and businesses across the state.”
The Industrial Commission, acting as the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, has statutory authority to purchase the right to capacity in a pipeline system to facilitate the production, transportation, distribution, or delivery of energy-related commodities produced in North Dakota.
The Industrial Commission is comprised of Gov. Kelly Armstrong as Chairman, Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley, and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.
For more information, please contact Justin Kringstad at jjkringstad@ndpipelines.com