State streamlines permits for flex pipe
By Renée Jean rjean@willistonherald.com
Thousands of trucks that used to be required for hauling fresh water to well completions have been taken off the road by a simple device. That device is flexible water transfer pipes, and the process of using them is about to get simpler as well.
The North Dakota Petroleum Council has been working with the state’s Department of Transportation to streamline permitting for the use of the temporary water transfer pipes.
Ron Ness is president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council.
A large percentage of the big topics over the last decade have revolved around the vast amount of truck traffic needed by the oil and gas industry,” he said.
For a four-well pad, the water pipes can take as many as 13,000 trucks off the road per day, hauling fresh water to the site for well completion.
The pipes lay flat on the ground when they are not full of water, and then pop out to full size when they are.