Trump signed a presidential permit on Thursday authorizing the Bridger Pipeline Expansion, with construction expected to begin in 2027 with a goal of completion by late 2028 or early 2029.
The pipeline will initially operate at ~550,000 bpd; however, Plainview Energy Analytics has noted that batching light crude oil could allow volumes to exceed typical heavy oil ceilings of 800,000 bpd for a line of this size, and deliver up to 1.13 mbpd.
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While the primary stated purpose of the proposed 647-mile Bridger Pipeline expansion is to transport up to 550,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Canadian crude from the U.S.-Canada border in Montana to Guernsey, Wyoming, company maps and plans show it includes potential tie-ins for the Bakken shale oil field.
The design provides access to a significant portion of Bridger’s existing North Dakota gathering network, “This optionality positions the project for potential future expansion beyond 550,000 bpd and creates the possibility of a new competitive egress option for Bakken shippers,” Matthew Lewis, Plainview’s founder, said.
However, the project is expected to face significant opposition from environmental groups, Indigenous communities, and landowners, with a potential need for a new presidential permit for the border crossing. To wit, the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) has raised concerns regarding the inherent risk of spills and the potential environmental impact on Montana’s land and water. MEIC has highlighted the history of the owner, Bridger Pipeline LLC (a subsidiary of True Companies), specifically citing the 2015 incident where over 30,000 gallons of oil spilled into the Yellowstone River near Glendive, MT, contaminating the city’s water supply. It also argues the pipeline would transport environmentally destructive fuel sources, threatening wildlife habitat, local agriculture, and water quality. WildEarth Guardians and Earthjustice have expressed similar concerns.
Meanwhile, Greenpeace Canada has condemned the expansion, arguing that Canada should focus on reducing oil reliance rather than investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure. In its defense, whereas Keystone Light revives portions of the canceled Keystone XL route, it largely avoids some historical flashpoints by not crossing Native American reservations and following existing infrastructure corridors for 70% of its 650-mile route.
