WBI Energy Advances Plans for Bakken East Gas Pipeline to Serve Power, Data Center Growth
WBI Energy is advancing its Bakken East pipeline, a $500 million project to transport natural gas from western North Dakota to the east for power generation and data center demand, with construction planned for 2028.
(P&GJ) — WBI Energy is moving ahead with its Bakken East natural gas pipeline project, which would move gas from western North Dakota’s Bakken region to Mapleton and Ellendale, according to KFYR-TV.
The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved up to $500 million in funding for the project earlier this year, helping advance one of the state’s most significant new midstream investments. WBI officials said the pipeline is designed to meet growing demand for natural gas in eastern North Dakota, where the fuel could support power generation and new industrial or data center developments.
“Certainly, there’s parties looking to power generation, both to support more traditional load growth and potential data center operations,” Mark Anderson of WBI Energy told KFYR-TV. “Our hope is that we can help do our part to enable that development.”
As reported by KFYR-TV, WBI expects to finalize customer agreements in 2026, with construction slated to begin in 2028.
State Backs Pipeline
In August, the North Dakota Industrial Commission took a major step toward advancing WBI Energy’s Bakken East natural gas pipeline by authorizing the state Pipeline Authority to begin contract discussions with the company for transport capacity.
The move marked what state officials called a “pivotal milestone” in expanding North Dakota’s natural gas infrastructure and ensuring long-term market access for Bakken gas production.
The Commission’s support signaled strong state-level commitment to help finance and facilitate the project, which is expected to carry natural gas from western North Dakota’s production areas to users and industrial sites in the east.
In a joint statement, members of the Commission said the pipeline will play a key role in delivering natural gas to end users, supporting electricity generation, and extending the viability of the state’s oil and gas industry for decades.
Pipeline Authority Executive Director Justin Kringstad emphasized that the project reflects North Dakota’s strategy to build scalable infrastructure capable of handling increasing natural gas output while connecting it to new domestic markets.
“This project is about positioning North Dakota for the future,” Kringstad said, adding that the collaboration between industry and state policymakers shows a shared commitment to “responsibly advance our state’s energy future.”
Under authority granted by Senate Bill 2014, the Industrial Commission can purchase pipeline capacity rights to encourage construction and operation of critical energy transport systems.
The legislation, passed by the 69th Legislative Assembly, allows up to $100 million in funding per biennium to support such projects, providing a mechanism to catalyze large-scale energy infrastructure investments like the Bakken East Pipeline.
The Industrial Commission, composed of Governor Kelly Armstrong, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees the state’s pipeline and energy development strategy.
The August action underscores North Dakota’s intent to reduce flaring, strengthen midstream reliability, and build new pathways for natural gas utilization and economic growth.