A federal judge on Aug. 10 ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to detail options by the end of the month for resolving the loss of a permit that allows the Dakota Access crude oil pipeline to operate on U.S. land.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia last month voided an easement that allowed a portion of the pipeline, known as DAPL, to cross federal property in South Dakota, citing violations of environmental requirements.
The Army Corps of Engineers is exploring four options, including some that would not require it to shut, said Ben Schifman, an attorney representing the Army Corps.
The Corps proposed taking 60 days to determine how it would move ahead, but U.S. Judge James Boasberg asked to be briefed by Aug. 31.
Dakota Access, controlled by Energy Transfer LP, is appealing the decision vacating the permit, which could lead to the 570,000 bbl/d pipeline being shut and drained. An appeals court last week allowed the pipeline, the biggest out of North Dakota's Bakken shale region, to continue to flow for the time being.
The pipeline could still be forced to shut by the Army Corps or the U.S. District Court.
EarthJustice attorney Jan Hasselman, who is representing the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, also asked the Corps to expedite the process in determining the next steps it would take on the pipeline.
The pipeline, which runs under a critical drinking water source for the Sioux tribe in South Dakota, drew months long protests by environmental activists and Native American tribes before coming into service in mid-2017.
Dakota Access says it could lose billions of dollars if the line was idled for an extended period.
Recommended Reading
Enerflex Appoints Thomas B. Tyree to Board
2024-03-12 - Tyree currently serves on Antero Resources’ board and recently served as chairman of Northwoods Energy LLC in 2023.
Bobby Tudor on Capital Access and Oil, Gas Participation in the Energy Transition
2024-04-05 - Bobby Tudor, the founder and CEO of Artemis Energy Partners, says while public companies are generating cash, private equity firms in the upstream business are facing more difficulties raising new funds, in this Hart Energy Exclusive interview.
Kimmeridge Fast Forwards on SilverBow with Takeover Bid
2024-03-13 - Investment firm Kimmeridge Energy Management, which first asked for additional SilverBow Resources board seats, has followed up with a buyout offer. A deal would make a nearly 1 Bcfe/d Eagle Ford pureplay.
Duke Energy Appoints Harry Sideris to President
2024-03-15 - Steve Young, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, will retire from Duke Energy on June 30.
Laredo Oil Subsidiary, Erehwon Enter Into Drilling Agreement with Texakoma
2024-03-14 - The agreement with Lustre Oil and Erehwon Oil & Gas would allow Texakoma to participate in the development of 7,375 net acres of mineral rights in Valley County, Montana.