By: TrueNorth Steel
40 Years Strong: Steel Pipe for Oil and Gas Access Roads Defies Extreme Conditions
This NCSPA Project of the Year winner in the Service Life category is a masterclass in resilience, particularly when considering the role of steel pipe for oil and gas access roads. For nearly 40 years, one corrugated steel pipe carried runoff beneath an oil field access road in North Dakota, surviving some of the harshest underground conditions in the country. This project is a standout example of steel culvert pipe in corrosive environments and reflects the unmatched value of long-lasting steel solutions for remote access.
Built During the Boom, Tested by Time
The early 1980s were all oil booms and big machines in western North Dakota. South of Medora, Hlebechuk Construction installed a corrugated steel pipe made by TrueNorth Steel. It wasn’t just tucked gently into a hillside. This culvert was thrown into the ring with one of the nastiest underground environments around.
Acidic soil? Check. Heavy truck traffic? Daily. Freeze-thaw cycles that would make concrete crack just from looking at it? You bet.
And yet, this pipe held the line for nearly four decades. While steel can last a century in perfect conditions, this was nowhere close. The fact that it lasted 40 years in an environment actively trying to destroy it proves just how tough steel culvert pipe in corrosive environments really is.
A Storm’s Brewing and the Clock’s Ticking
Fast forward to 2025. Scout Energy Partners realized the original pipe had finally reached the end of its run. But nature was not going to wait. Two major rainstorms were on the horizon, and the road could not go offline.
TrueNorth Steel got moving fast, fabricating and delivering a replacement pipe in record time. Hlebechuk Construction returned for the install, nearly 40 years after they first buried the original. Talk about a comeback tour.
Owner Hugh Hlebechuk put it best. “The pipe went in so nicely for us. The band cinched up in 30 minutes, which doesn’t happen often, and the pipe was round and straight.” A clean install, no drama, and the road stayed open. Just the way we like it.
This was a pressure-cooker situation, and it showcased the power of long-lasting steel solutions for remote access when time, weather, and logistics are stacked against you.
You Can’t Fake 40 Years of Performance
This project isn’t just a story of replacement. It’s a story of survival. The original culvert took everything North Dakota could throw at it and held on for 40 years. That’s why steel pipe for oil and gas access roads continues to be the top choice for energy infrastructure.
Now, with a new installation in place, the road is prepped for another few decades of performance. The team didn’t just replace a pipe. They honored a legacy—and then doubled down.
For anyone working in harsh, remote, or downright unforgiving terrain, long-lasting steel solutions for remote access deliver the reliability, toughness, and sheer refusal to quit that you need. This pipe may be new, but the legend lives on.
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