WBI Energy Transmission Inc. is seeking FERC authorization to expand the northern portion of its natural gas pipeline system to meet increased demand in western North Dakota.

The pipeline is proposing to install and operate new mainline natural gas facilities and to increase the maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) to 700 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) from 500 psig of a segment of its mainline and associated pipe laterals in McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams counties, ND, in order to meet increased demand for additional transportation capacity on the northern portion of the pipeline system as a result of population growth associated with Bakken Shale production activities in western North Dakota.

In an open season held in March, WBI said it entered into a binding precedent agreement with Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. to deliver a maximum quantity of 17,600 Mcf/d for five years to several North Dakota towns, including Williston, Watford City, Trenton, Alexander, Ray, Minot, Stanley and Tioga.

Four existing border stations — Williston, Trenton, Stanton and Alexander — would be replaced to allow delivery of incremental volumes of gas. Approximately 8,000 cf/d of incremental firm capacity in the precedent agreement is contracted to flow through the new Williston Border Station; 300 cf/d of incremental firm capacity in the precedent agreement is contracted to flow through the Trenton Border Station; 500 cf/d of incremental firm capacity in the precedent agreement is contracted to flow through the Stanley Border Station; and and 300 Mcf/d of incremental firm capacity in the precedent agreement is contracted to flow through the Alexander Border Station.

WBI plans to begin construction of the $1.3 million project as soon as it receives approval from the Federal Energy Regulation Commission, with an anticipated in-service date by the end of this year.

WBI, which has headquarters in Bismarck, ND, and Glendive, MT, owns and operates more than 3,700 miles of transmission, gathering and storage lines, and owns and/or leases and operates 33 compressor stations in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.