ONEOK set to begin construction

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
ONEOK Inc. will begin construction of the Elk Creek pipeline in the Weston County area beginning this month, according to an email from Stephanie Higgins, communications supervisor for ONEOK. 
The pipeline will be approximately 900 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipe that will have the capacity to transport up to 240,000 barrels a day of unfractionated natural gas liquids from eastern Montana to Bushton, Kansas. The route for the pipeline will run parallel to the 12-inch pipeline that was installed in 2012, running through a portion of Weston County, the company told the Weston County commissioners in February. 
“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,” Higgins said. 
Various stages of construction will take place and with projects of this size, Higgins said, construction schedules can be fluid and change from day to day. 
“First, crews begin by staking the pipeline route prior to clearing and grading the right-of-way to create a working surface suitable for construction equipment and workers,” Higgins said. “Next, sections of the pipe are laid along the right-of-way, also known as ‘stringing.’ This is when residents will begin to see more activity.” 
The last stage will involve using equipment to dig the trench for the pipeline so that specialty equipment can lower the welded pipe into the ditch before the subsoil is backfilled over the pipe, Higgins said. She noted that each step will bring additional equipment into the area. 
At this time, Higgins said, no road closures are anticipated and the current plan involves boring under the roads within the construction corridor.
Construction of the pipeline is projected to be completed by the end of 2019.