DAPL Legal Battle Moves to Dutch Court as Greenpeace Fights $345M Judgment
Environmental group seeks to void North Dakota jury verdict under EU anti-SLAPP laws, arguing Energy Transfer's suit aims to silence pipeline critics.
A legal fight over the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) has shifted to a courtroom in the Netherlands, where Greenpeace International is attempting to overturn a $345 million judgment levied against it by a North Dakota jury last year. The trial between the environmental group and pipeline operator Energy Transfer began on Thursday, April 16, according to a report from KFYR.
Greenpeace, which is headquartered in the Netherlands, is asking the Dutch court to void the 2025 North Dakota verdict. The organization argues the U.S. trial was a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP)—a legal action intended to silence critics through high costs and prolonged litigation—specifically targeting opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Greenpeace is invoking European Union and Dutch anti-SLAPP legislation in its defense.
The core legal question, as reported by KFYR, is whether a European court can protect a company from overseas litigation in the United States. Greenpeace is seeking to recover all costs and damages from all trials against Energy Transfer.
Energy Transfer has countered in court filings that the North Dakota case was centered on allegations of defamation and illegal activities that caused financial damage, not on silencing pipeline opposition. The $345 million judgment stemmed from that 2025 trial in North Dakota.
The Dakota Access Pipeline is a critical piece of infrastructure for moving Bakken crude oil from North Dakota's production basin to market. Legal challenges and protests have surrounded the pipeline since its construction, creating regulatory and operational uncertainty for shippers and producers reliant on its capacity.
For Bakken operators and North Dakota royalty owners, prolonged international litigation adds another layer of complexity to the pipeline's operational outlook. While the case does not directly challenge permits or operations, it perpetuates the legal controversy surrounding a primary oil export route from the state. A ruling in favor of Greenpeace could potentially influence how pipeline opponents wage legal and public relations campaigns globally.
The Dutch court is expected to release its ruling in early June. The outcome will be watched by industry and environmental groups for its implications on cross-border legal strategies and the ability to enforce U.S. court judgments internationally.
Source
KFYR
