11.19.13

Hoeven Statement on ONEOK Partners Announced New Projects in the Williston Basin

Company to Invest up to $780 Million in North Dakota

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today released the following statement in response to ONEOK Partners announced plans to invest an additional $650 to $780 million in the Williston Basin to build several projects, including the Lonesome Creek plant, the company’s seventh and largest natural gas processing plant, and the second expansion of the Bakken NGL Pipeline:

“Today marks an important milestone in ONEOK Partners’ ongoing work to develop, process and transport natural gas in North Dakota’s Bakken region. This will be the company’s seventh and largest natural gas processing plant. The new facility will further help us to reduce flaring and capture the tremendous reserves of natural gas that accompany oil production, creating jobs and boosting our state’s economy. Add to the new processing plant, a second expansion of the company’s Bakken NGL Pipeline, and it’s clear that ONEOK’s commitment is helping us to realize the enormous potential of Western North Dakota’s vast energy resources.

“ONEOK’s decision to expand in North Dakota also reflects the importance of a good business climate and investing in the infrastructure necessary to harvest our energy resources in efficient and environmentally sound ways. I remain focused on working to realize similar projects, which can help our country achieve the long-sought, long-elusive goal of true North American energy security. The Keystone XL pipeline, for example, will create 42,000 jobs and carry 830,000 barrels of oil a day to U.S. refineries, including 100,000 from the Bakken. Projects like these create jobs, strengthen our economy, increase our standard of living and bolster our national security. North Dakota and ONEOK Partners are helping to make our goal a reality. ”

Hoeven serves on the U.S. Senate Energy Committee.