Trump Approves Enbridge Pipeline Permit for North Dakota Border Crossing

U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a key presidential permit for a new pipeline project at the North Dakota-Canada border, a move set to enhance crude oil transportation capacity for the region. The permit, issued to Bakken Pipeline Company LP, authorizes the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of pipeline facilities in Burke County, North Dakota, according to Bing News reports from April 15, 2026.

Bakken Pipeline Company is a limited partnership and subsidiary of Enbridge Inc., a major North American pipeline operator. The approval provides a concrete step to boost the flow of crude oil and petroleum products between the United States and Canada, directly impacting a key Bakken border region.

The permit is part of a broader series of approvals for Enbridge's cross-border network. The company also received permits for the operation and maintenance of existing pipelines in Pembina County, North Dakota, and St. Clair County, Michigan, fortifying its infrastructure footprint, according to the sources.

This development aligns with Enbridge's ongoing multi-billion dollar expansion strategy. Last year, the company committed US$1.4 billion to its Mainline Optimization project, which targets an additional 150,000 barrels per day of capacity on its cross-Canada system that feeds into the U.S. Midwest. Another 100,000 barrels per day is slated to flow through the Flanagan South system to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Looking ahead, Enbridge has outlined a potential second phase for the Mainline Optimization. That phase could add another 250,000 barrels per day by 2028 by utilizing the existing Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) corridor from North Dakota to southern Illinois. This phased approach focuses on expanding current capacity over building entirely new pipelines.

The strategic importance of these projects is underscored by collaboration with regional governments. In January 2026, the Alberta government formed a working group with Enbridge to explore further pipeline capacity increases to the U.S. market, signaling a mutual interest in bolstering energy trade.

Enbridge's network is a critical artery for moving crude, with Gulf Coast refineries as a key destination. The approved permits and planned expansions position the company to move an additional 500,000 barrels per day over the next few years, a capacity increase that could reshape North American supply dynamics by the end of the decade, according to the source reports.

For North Dakota and Bakken operators, the new border crossing permit in Burke County and the potential use of the DAPL corridor represent significant incremental takeaway capacity. This infrastructure supports the long-term market access for Bakken crude alongside Canadian volumes, enhancing the region's role in continental energy trade.