Who / What
The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), also known as the Bakken pipeline, is a 1,172-mile-long underground oil pipeline in the United States. It is designed to transport light sweet crude oil from the Bakken Formation in North Dakota, through South Dakota and Iowa, to an oil terminal in Illinois. The pipeline has a capacity of up to 750,000 barrels of oil per day.
Background & History
The Dakota Access Pipeline project originated to transport oil from the Bakken Formation, a significant shale oil production area in the northern United States. Construction began in 2014 and faced considerable opposition from Native American tribes and environmental groups concerned about potential impacts on water resources and sacred lands. The pipeline's route was controversial, leading to legal challenges and protests throughout its development. It connects the Bakken oil fields with a terminal near Patoka, Illinois, forming part of the larger Bakken system with the Energy Transfer Crude Oil Pipeline.
Why Notable
The Dakota Access Pipeline is notable for its significant role in facilitating oil transportation from the Bakken Formation, a major source of U.S. crude oil. The project’s development was highly controversial, sparking widespread protests and legal battles over environmental concerns and tribal rights. Its construction and operation have had considerable economic, political, and social impact on the regions it traverses, highlighting ongoing debates about energy infrastructure and indigenous land protection.
In the News
The Dakota Access Pipeline remains relevant due to ongoing legal challenges and continued debate surrounding its environmental and social impacts. Legal battles related to permits and environmental regulations have persisted since its construction. The pipeline continues to be a focal point in discussions regarding energy infrastructure development, indigenous rights, and environmental protection in the United States.
