Enbridge Reconfiguring Pipeline for Rising Crude Oil Demand

Enbridge Energy Partners L.P. — a Houston-based oil and natural gas pipeline operator — is reconfiguring its North Dakota system to expand capacity by 23,500 barrels per day (bpd.) The changes will take place between Minot, N.D., and Clearbrook, Minn., and involve optimizing existing facilities and services, with a capital investment estimated at $7 million.

The updated system is expected to be available in the first quarter 2011.

In 2009 the same pipeline was expanded by 51,500 bpd to 161,500 bpd, which has been its capacity since early 2010.

"This expansion in the common carrier portion of the system complements our more substantial 145,000-bpd Bakken Expansion Program, which is being undertaken with significant term capacity commitments," stated Stephen J. Wuori, president, Liquids Pipelines, Enbridge Inc. "It will enable us to be responsive to our shippers' needs for an immediate increase in the takeaway capacity serving growing production from the Bakken formation in North Dakota.”

Wuori added that 23,500-bpd increase from the reconfiguration, together with an expansion program now underway and expected to provide a 25,000-bpd increase by March 2011, will help Enbridge to meet the immediate needs of shippers, while the second and possible subsequent phases of the Bakken Expansion program should meet future pipeline transportation demand.

“We will continue to work with our shippers to ensure that additional capacity is made available as they need it," according to Wuori.