Some relief could be on the horizon for Bakken Shale oil producers facing punishingly low prices for their associated natural gas, as efforts to add takeaway capacity out of the basin are advancing.

North Dakota Pipeline Authority Director Justin Kringstad provided an update on two projects during a press briefing on June 13.

Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) and TC Energy Corp. on June 1 launched a binding open season for 430,000 Dth/d of firm natural gas transportation capacity connecting the Northern Border Pipeline in the Bakken Shale with the Cheyenne hub in the Denver-Julesburg Basin. 

Bids are due June 30 for the project, which the firms have dubbed Bakken Xpress. Commercial in-service is targeted for March 2026, according to the open season notice published by KMI subsidiary...