MDU Resources expands subsidiaries’ natural gas services in North Dakota

Through its subsidiaries, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and WBI Energy Inc., MDU Resources Group, Inc. announced this week that it is planning a natural gas pipeline expansion project to bring more service to customers in two North Dakota communities: Wahpeton and Kindred.

Located on the eastern side of the state, the project will include the construction of 60 miles of 12-inch pipeline, as well as ancillary facilities to Wahpeton. The additional work for Kindred comes at the behest of city officials and residents there, owing to its growing developments.

“We are excited to provide additional natural gas to the cities of Wahpeton and Kindred,” MDU Resources President and CEO David Goodin said. “Natural gas is an abundant resource in North Dakota, and we are proud to be able to help residential and commercial customers take advantage of this low-cost fuel option.”

Wahpeton alone requires approximately 10 million cubic feet of firm natural gas service per day, with all the new utility customer contracts flowing to Montana-Dakota Utilities. The existing transmission pipeline is incapable of keeping up with such volume, so that the new pipeline will provide a capacity of 20 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

“Wahpeton has been working diligently to bring this additional capacity to our region to mitigate interruptions in service and provide for future opportunities,” Steven Dale, Wahpeton Mayor, said. “Wahpeton has been and will continue to be, a location of choice for value-added ag processors. Additional firm natural gas supply is vital to keeping Wahpeton at the forefront of those businesses.”

All of this work should cost the companies approximately $75 million. Construction by WBI Energy is expected to begin in early 2024, and the pipeline is expected to be in service by the end of that same year. All of this is, however, dependent upon regulatory approvals.