CARBONDALE- A Texas- based company is converting an existing natural gas pipeline that runs through southern Illinois to transport crude oil;.

According to the Southern Illinoisan, Energy Transfer Partners Spokeswoman Vicki Granado says the converted line would be part of a proposed new pipeline that could transport 450,000 barrels each day from oil fields in North Dakota.

She states the pipeline would not carry tar sands crude. That’s the Canadian product involved in the Keystone XL pipeline, a project vetoed by President Barack Obama.

The Southern Illinoisan states the conversion is underway on more than 500 miles of natural gas pipeline, part of which runs through the Shawnee National Forest.