This pipeline may be needed simply for gas takeaway. It should get built. In 2015 Bakken wells produced 523 billion cubic feet of natural gas. This is before separation of natural gas liquids like ethane through pentanes. Bakken gas sold to market was 416 billion cubic feet. So what has happened to the 116 billion difference. Some gets injected back into the wells, but most gets flared and vented. Flaring well gas isn’t a very efficient combustion process so all the flared goes isn’t CO2 and water. As of 2015 then Bakken wells are flaring and venting 21 percent. Down from 35 percent gas venting and flaring in 2012. However, gas production is increasing greatly. 218 billion cubic feet was produced. 76 billion cubic feet was flared. In total, gas venting and flaring has doubled since 2012.

North Dakota oil and gas production data:

Much of the oil takeaway from Bakken is by rail. This pipeline would improve much of the gas emissions from rail transport’s rather inefficient batch style liquids transmission process.

So environmentalists should probably get the act together. Maybe approach environmentalism like engineering.