Report Outlines Trump Bid to Resurrect Keystone XL, Extend Dakota Access
A plan involving a patchwork of connected projects using existing pipe could boost Bakken takeaway capacity and link to Canadian markets.
A reported bid by the Trump administration to resurrect the Keystone XL pipeline and extend the Dakota Access Pipeline northward involves using a patchwork of smaller, connected projects and existing pipe, according to a summary from Bing News.
The plan, as described in a May 13 report, aims to stretch the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) to Canada. DAPL is a critical 570-mile crude oil pipeline that runs from the Bakken formation in North Dakota to a hub in Patoka, Illinois.
For Bakken operators, the potential extension of DAPL and revival of Keystone XL represents a significant opportunity for increased market access. Enhanced pipeline capacity to the north could provide shippers with more routes to Canadian refineries and export terminals, potentially improving netbacks for Bakken crude.
Such infrastructure developments are closely watched in North Dakota, where pipeline constraints have historically led to price volatility and increased reliance on more expensive rail transportation. Any expansion of takeaway capacity is seen as a positive for producers and royalty owners in the region.
The reported strategy of linking smaller projects suggests a pragmatic approach to overcoming the political and legal hurdles that led to the cancellation of the original Keystone XL project. The focus on utilizing existing infrastructure could potentially accelerate the timeline for adding new capacity.
The Bing News summary did not provide specific details on timelines, regulatory status, or the companies involved in the proposed patchwork of projects. The success of any such plan would depend on regulatory approvals, including federal permits and state-level support.
Source
Bing News summary published May 13, 2026.
