North Dakota-based MDU Resources Group’s pipeline unit, WBI Energy Transmission Inc., on Wednesday asked FERC to start the environmental pre-filing review process for its proposed 22-mile, 24-inch diameter natural gas transmission pipeline for taking Bakken natural gas to the Northern Border Pipeline Co.’s interstate system feeding the Midcontinent.

The pipeline would carry gas from Oneok Partners’ Demicks Lake gas processing plant to an interconnection with Northern Border’s interstate line about eight miles southeast of Watford City, ND. It would further enhance Oneok’s projections earlier this month for a boost of Williston Basin gas production this year and next (see Shale Daily, May 8).

WBI’s proposed Demicks Lake Pipeline is slated for a Sept. 1, 2017 start of commercial operations with a 221 MMcf/d capacity. It is part of the company’s efforts to create arteries for getting Bakken gas to Midcontinent markets.

“WBI is requesting use of the pre-filing process [at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] to allow agencies, affected landowners and other stakeholders to work cooperatively with WBI and FERC staff to identify and address environmental issues prior to filing of a certification application,” the company said in its request.

The proposed route runs southwesterly from the Oneok plant in McKenzie County to the Northern Border interconnection.

A much larger, $650 million, 375-mile proposed Dakota Pipeline running into Minnesota was put on hold at the end of last year (see Shale Daily, Dec. 19, 2014). An MDU spokesperson on Thursday said the project is on the company’s list of future projects when there is sufficient market interest.