The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) Nation of North Dakota has purchased a pipeline from Enbridge, marking a significant move towards greater control over their oil resources. This acquisition will connect oil production on the Fort Berthold Reservation directly to Enbridge's expansive pipeline network, streamlining the delivery of oil to the wider market. While the purchase price remains undisclosed, the tribe anticipates the pipeline to be operational within the next year.

Tribal Chairman Mark Fox emphasized the importance of this acquisition for managing the tribe's oil and gas assets, highlighting the enhanced market access it provides. The Fort Berthold Reservation boasts over 2,600 active oil and gas wells, which produced an average of 144,190 barrels of oil daily in February, according to state data. Furthermore, regulators project the potential for nearly 4,000 additional wells on the reservation, underscoring the significance of this new pipeline for future growth.

The 31-mile pipeline is strategically located near the tribe's Thunder Butte Petroleum subsidiary's transloading and storage facility. With a capacity of 15,000 barrels per day, this pipeline represents the most direct route for the tribe to connect its production with the larger distribution network. Enbridge Vice President Mike Koby noted that the MHA Nation will be the first tribal entity to ship oil on an Enbridge pipeline, adding that ownership will provide substantial financial benefits to the tribe.