Pipeline project remains on target despite weather

Though the rain and late snows have impacted local construction efforts on Oneok’s new Elk Creek Pipeline, the company is confident that the project will remain on schedule.

“Through the month of May, about half of our construction days were affected by the rain and snow which does alter construction somewhat,” says Stephanie Higgins, Communications Supervisor.

“But this is typical in the spring months and our crews will be working to make up that time.”

Overall, she says, construction has been going well and Oneok has received “quite a bit of positive feedback from residents and communities along the route.”

The Elk Creek Pipeline is a 900-mile, 20-inch pipeline that will have the capacity to transport up to 240,000 barrels per day of unfractionated natural gas liquids from Montana to Kansas. Approximately 308 miles of that distance will travel through Crook County in parallel to the Bakken Pipeline that was installed in 2012, crossing five counties including Crook, Weston, Niobrara, Goshen and Laramie.

Construction began in 2018 in some areas and in Crook County earlier this spring. Oneok aims to complete the pipeline and place it in service by the end of this year.