TransCanada secures 65,000 b/d Bakken crude commitments

Christopher E. Smith
OGJ Pipeline Editor

HOUSTON, Jan. 21 -- TransCanada Corp. has concluded its open season for the Bakken Marketlink Project to deliver US-sourced crude from Baker, Mont., to Cushing, Okla., securing 65,000 b/d of firm, term contracts. Bakken Marketlink will use pipeline facilities that form part of TransCanada’s Keystone XL system, which will run in close proximity to the Bakken crude producing regions within the Williston basin.

TransCanada expects Keystone XL to be in service first-quarter 2013, subject to regulatory approvals.

TransCanada closed a binding open season on its Cushing Marketlink project Nov. 19, the same day it closed the Bakken Marketlink open season, and is still evaluating bids. The project would involve construction of $70 million of facilities at Cushing and use facilities making up part of Keystone XL to deliver crude to near existing terminals in Nederland, Tex. (OGJ Online, Sept. 8, 2010).

Once TransCanada finishes bid evaluation on Cushing Marketlink it will decide whether to proceed with regulatory applications. Assuming TransCanada moves forward with the project, it anticipates placing Cushing Marketlink in service first-quarter 2013 as well.

Contact Christopher E. Smith at [email protected].