Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Oneok arrives in Crook County this month to begin the local phase of construction on its new Elk Creek Pipeline. The 20-inch pipeline roughly follows the route of the Bakken Pipeline installed by the company in 2012.
"Currently, we are scheduled to begin construction in the Crook County area this month and should be completed by the end of the year," says Stephanie Higgins, Communications Supervisor.
"However, with a project this size, construction schedules can be fluid and change from day to day."
The pipeline will carry natural gas liquids from the Bakken Shale formation to the Overland Pass Pipeline in Colorado and beyond to Kansas, at the company's Mid-Continent NGL facilities. Stretching for 900 miles, it will have the capacity to transport up to 240,000 barrels per day of unfractioned natural gas liquids.
Oneok began the project when it became clear that the Bakken Pipeline and Overland Pass Pipelines were both operating at full capacity and further carrying capacity was necessary to meet the needs of producers. While initially planned to mirror the Bakken route almost entirely, some small changes have been made along the process of working with affected landowners, says Higgins.
"Elk Creek generally follows the same route as our Bakken pipeline; however, we worked with affected stakeholders – including property owners, communities and regulatory authorities – to identify a route that will minimize impacts on the community and the environment," she says.
"Based on those conversations, the current route was selected."
Construction will take place in various stages. First, crews will stake the pipeline route before clearing and grading the right-of-way to create a working surface suitable for construction equipment and workers, Higgins explains.
Next, sections of pipe will be laid along the right-of-way, a process known as "stringing".
"This is when residents will begin to see more activity," Higgins says.
Finally, the trenches will be dug to allow specialty equipment to lower the welded pipe into the ditch and backfill the subsoil over the pipe. For each stage, says Higgins, additional equipment will need to be brought in.
Higgins believes any disruption caused by the construction will be minimal.
"We do not anticipate any road closures at this time," she says. "Our current plan is to bore under roads within the construction corridor."