A new oil pipeline from Dunn County to the Dickinson area could be completed by 2009, giving area drillers more markets in which to sell their product.

The state Public Service Commission first received notice of the new pipeline from Plains All American Pipelines LLP in June. Commission members are planning a hearing on the proposed route.

A 6-inch pipeline that will run for 33 miles, the line connects an oil rich area to a pipeline that can transport it to the Guernsey oil hub in Wyoming. At present, oil producers in the area would have to truck their oil to get it into a pipeline that would transport it to Guernsey.

The only pure pipeline option they have is to send it to the Tesoro Mandan refinery.

"When it comes to North Dakota commodities, it pays to make sure (the sellers) have choices," PSC Commissioner Tony Clark said.

- Jonathan Rivoli