Pipeline operators in US benefiting from uptick in domestic oil output.

摘要

Shale plays like Bakken in North Dakota and Eagle Ford in Texas continue to pump out crude at record rates, but producers in these areas are having a difficult time moving their product to market due to a lack of infrastructure, particularly pipeline capacity. Currendy, 25% of the shale oil produced at Bakken is shipped via rail and this presents an opportunity for pipeline operators as most producers would prefer to ship their product via pipeline as it is cheaper, more-efficient, quicker, and safer. Shale producers have reached out to various parts of the energy industry imploring the need for better infrastructure as output from these fields continues to grow. By 2015, oil production from the Bakken shale play is expected to grow to over 1MM b/d, highlighting the need for infrastructure and pipeline improvements now.