North Dakota governor backs plans for 375-mile natural gas pipeline

BISMARCK, N.D., Jan. 31 (UPI) -- North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple said building a 375-mile natural gas pipeline in the state will reduce the amount of gas wasted during oil production.

Dalrymple said Thursday he backed plans by WBI Energy Inc., a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, to build the pipeline to deliver natural gas from the Bakken reserve area in the west of the state to eastern North Dakota consumers.

North Dakota lacks the infrastructure necessary to take full advantage of natural gas associated with oil reserves in the state at the heart of the shale oil and natural gas boom. Some of the natural gas associated with oil production is burned off, or flared, as a result.

"We are committed to working with WBI Energy and the entire energy industry so that we continue to reduce flaring, add value to our energy resources and help meet the nation's energy needs," Dalrymple said.

The so-called Dakota pipeline would be able to transport 400 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

WBI, which has headquarters in Bismarck, said pipeline construction begins in 2016 and should be completed the following year.