Environmental fight pauses critical pipeline for Louisiana

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The planned construction of the Diamond Pipeline extension to connect with the Capline Pipeline reversal is taking a pause amid political negotiations and accusations of environmental racism in Memphis, reports S&P Global.

The goal of the projects is to connect the Diamond Pipeline, which also is being expanded by 200,000 b/d by the end of this year, and its origination from the Cushing crude oil hub to the Capline Pipeline. The delayed Capline Reversal project to move 1.2 million from Patoka, Ill., to St. James, Louisiana, is slated for a late 2021 completion and an early 2022 ramp-up in volumes.

The Memphis City Council has been considering a proposed ordinance to make it harder to build the pipeline.

The Capline reversal would help move more volumes from the Bakken Shale and other basins to refining and export hubs along the U.S. Gulf Coast. See the full story.