Overview
The Bakken Gathering Plant in Sidney, Montana, is an operational gas pipeline facility within the Bakken shale region. It plays a key role in transporting natural gas from one of the largest oil and gas plays in the United States.
The Bakken Gathering Plant is a gas pipeline facility located in Sidney, Richland County, Montana, within the prolific Bakken shale formation. As an operational plant, it serves as a critical node in the region's natural gas gathering and transportation network, supporting the extraction and delivery of hydrocarbons from one of the most significant oil and gas plays in North America. Operating under the regulatory oversight of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and in compliance with 49 CFR Part 192 for gas pipelines, the facility adheres to stringent safety standards for design, construction, and maintenance. The Bakken region's pipeline infrastructure has expanded rapidly to accommodate increased production, with gathering plants like this one serving as intermediate points that collect gas from multiple wells and prepare it for transmission to processing facilities or mainline pipelines. The Bakken Gathering Plant contributes to the energy supply chain that serves both domestic markets and export terminals. Its location in Montana places it within a network that connects to major pipeline corridors, supporting regional economic activity and energy security. The facility's role in gathering natural gas helps reduce flaring and ensures that produced gas reaches end users efficiently.
Environmental context
The facility is situated in the Bakken shale region, an area characterized by semi-arid grasslands and proximity to the Yellowstone River. Pipeline infrastructure in this region must manage risks related to soil erosion, wildlife habitat fragmentation, and potential waterway crossings. The commodity transported (natural gas) poses lower spill risk than liquids, but methane leakage remains a concern. Cathodic protection systems and regular inspections are standard to prevent corrosion and ensure integrity.
Frequently asked questions
The Bakken Gathering Plant is located in Sidney, Richland County, Montana, United States, within the Bakken shale formation.
It is a gas pipeline facility that gathers natural gas from production wells in the Bakken region and transports it to processing plants or mainline pipelines.
The facility is regulated by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under 49 CFR Part 192, which sets safety standards for gas pipelines in the United States.
Standard safety measures include cathodic protection to prevent corrosion, regular pipeline integrity inspections, pressure monitoring, and emergency shutdown systems to mitigate risks.
The plant operates in a semi-arid region near the Yellowstone River. Environmental management focuses on preventing methane leaks, minimizing soil disturbance, and protecting water quality during construction and operation.
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