OREANDA-NEWS. April 03, 2017. Energy Transfer Partners is looking to expand its 470,000 b/d Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL) even before the controversial pipeline begins full service.

Energy Transfer has launched a supplemental open season for incremental capacity on the line that will transport crude from the Bakken shale in North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois, for further delivery to the US Gulf coast. The company is considering boosting capacity on DAPL to as much as 570,000 b/d depending on shipper interest.

The company is in the process of commissioning the pipeline and preparing to place it into service in the second quarter after completing a contested water crossing in North Dakota, according to a court filing earlier this week. The company said on 23 February that the line should be "fully line-packed and ready to go" prior to 1 June.

The open season also includes the Energy Transfer Crude Oil pipeline which stretches from Patoka to Nederland, Texas. Shippers have the option to sign up for a local DAPL tariff or a joint tariff on the two systems which would provide a direct route from the Bakken to the Gulf coast.

The open season notice did not specify a closing date.