Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP) is holding a binding open season for transportation service on the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Pipeline (ETCOP).

ETP said it has executed precedent agreements that support an expansion of DAPL from its previously announced 320,000 b/d capacity to more than 450,000 b/d.

DAPL is Dallas-based ETP’s proposed 1,100-mile crude oil pipeline from receipt points in North Dakota to Patoka, IL, where the new line would interconnect with ETP’s existing Trunkline Pipeline, which is being converted from carrying natural gas to the Gulf Coast region (see Shale Daily, June 26).

“Potential shippers will have the opportunity to secure transportation service from strategic receipt points in the Bakken/Three Forks shale plays in North Dakota to key refinery and terminating hubs in the Midwest and Gulf Coast,” ETP said.

Separately, the same potential shippers or others will have the chance to also secure transportation services from Bakken/Three Forks to the Gulf and other markets. Dakota Access is offering the transportation to the Illinois link to the Gulf, and ETCOP is offering transportation to the Texas Gulf Coast.

For open season information, visit www.energytransfer.com.

The latest indication of expanded pipeline capacity out of North Dakota being developed comes at a time when the transport of crude by rail has been surging, and many of the major pipeline developers also are building additional rail terminals.

At the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference last May, BNSF Railway Executive Chairman Matt Rose said oil and rail operators are increasingly working more closely, particularly in North Dakota where 20% of the U.S. rail industry’s growth occurred in 2013 (see Shale Daily, May 28).