ONEOK’s (OKE) Elk Creek NGL pipeline posted a sharp jump in 2Q25 as Bakken producers boosted ethane recovery.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) filings show NGL volumes on Elk Creek increased 64 Mb/d Q-o-Q, a gain far outpacing plant-level production growth. East Daley Analytics’ NGL plant data, available in Energy Data Studio, confirms Bakken NGL output rose 49 Mb/d (+11%), led by a 21% surge in ethane.
Along with the 49 Mb/d increase in plant production, volumes on OKE’s legacy Bakken pipeline declined 14 Mb/d. This yields a gain of ~63 Mb/d, essentially matching the uplift on Elk Creek. The gain shows producers are reallocating barrels to Elk Creek, where OKE benefits from longer-haul tariffs and greater downstream flexibility.
The growth lever is ethane. East Daley Analytics’ Purity Product Forecast estimates ~223 Mb/d of Bakken ethane remains in rejection mode, providing ample runway to fill Elk Creek’s recent 135 Mb/d expansion (see figure). The ramp in 2Q25 appears to mark the first step in unlocking that pool.
Recovery should accelerate once OKE restarts the Medford fractionator in Conway, enabling more Bakken NGLs to move south on the underutilized Sterling system and ultimately to Mont Belvieu.
Investor Takeaway: Rising Bakken ethane recovery tightens Conway–Mont Belvieu flows, boosts Elk Creek utilization and strengthens OKE’s integrated margin capture. Track these dynamics in real time with East Daley’s NGL plant data in Energy Data Studio and in our Purity Product Forecast. – Julian Renton Tickers: OKE.
Bakken Energy Path – Powered by Energy Data Studio
Energy Path is a revolutionary tool designed to transform how you view energy markets. With Energy Path, you can seamlessly track the molecule from wellhead to demand, gaining a complete view of the entire oil and gas value chain. From upstream to midstream to downstream, this multi-commodity product offers unparalleled insights across natural gas, NGLs and crude oil. The Bakken Energy Path is available now – monitor volumes and fees at every stage, empowering your decision-making with a holistic market perspective. — Request your Energy Path demo now!
Get the Data Center Demand Monitor
The Data Center Demand Monitor is your go-to source for tracking data center projects and demand. Available as part of the Macro Supply & Demand Report, East Daley monitors and visualizes nearly 500 US data center projects. Use the Data Center Demand Monitor to forecast demand, identify pipeline corridors and track data center projects. — Request your demo now of the Data Center Demand Monitor!
The Daley Note
Subscribe to The Daley Note for energy insights delivered daily to your inbox. The Daley Note covers news, commodity prices, security prices and EDA research likely to affect markets in the short term.