The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued an opinion in a long-running pipeline dispute involving dozens of Native American landowners and major energy companies operating on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. The case, *JoAnn Chase v. Andeavor Logistics, L.P.* (8th Cir. 2026), centers on conflicts over pipeline operations affecting Indian trust lands.
The appellants include 45 individual plaintiffs, many bearing traditional Native American names such as Bird Bear, White Owl, Fast Dog, and Lone Bear, who hold beneficial ownership interests in allotted trust lands on the Fort Berthold Reservation. The defendants include Andeavor Logistics, L.P., Andeavor (formerly Tesoro Corporation), Tesoro Logistics GP, LLC, Tesoro Companies, Inc., and Tesoro High Plains Pipeline Company, LLC.
According to the court documents, the dispute involves Andeavor's ownership and operation of the 500-mile intrastate High Plains Pipeline system. The pipeline infrastructure appears to traverse or affect trust lands where the Native American plaintiffs hold beneficial ownership interests under federal Indian law.
The case originated in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota's Western Division before reaching the Eighth Circuit on appeal. The appellate court heard oral arguments on Oct. 22, 2024, and issued its decision on Jan. 30, 2026, following more than a year of consideration.
Notably, the United States government participated in the case as amicus curiae supporting the appellants, indicating significant federal interest in the outcome. The federal government's involvement suggests the case may involve important questions of federal Indian law, trust obligations, or pipeline regulation affecting tribal lands.
The three-judge panel consisted of Circuit Judges Loken, Smith, and Grasz, with Judge Loken authoring the opinion. The court characterized the matter as "a protracted oil and gas pipeline dispute," indicating the litigation has extended over a considerable period.
Fort Berthold Reservation, home to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes), sits atop significant oil and gas reserves in North Dakota's Bakken formation. The reservation has been central to the state's oil boom, creating complex legal issues regarding pipeline rights-of-way, environmental impacts, and compensation for land use.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between energy infrastructure development and Native American land rights. Under federal law, trust lands are held by the United States for the benefit of individual Indians or tribes, creating a unique legal framework that requires federal oversight and approval for many transactions affecting such lands.
Pipeline companies often seek easements or rights-of-way across Indian trust lands to transport oil and gas from production areas to refineries and markets. These agreements typically require approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and must comply with federal trust obligations to ensure fair compensation and protection of Indian interests.
The involvement of Andeavor, formerly known as Tesoro Corporation, reflects the corporate evolution of major energy companies operating in the region. Tesoro was a significant refining and pipeline company that underwent various corporate restructurings and name changes as it expanded operations in the Bakken region.
While the full text of the court's reasoning is not available from the filing caption, the case appears to address fundamental questions about the relationship between pipeline operators and Native American landowners. Such disputes often involve issues of adequate compensation, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and the scope of federal trust responsibilities.
The decision could have implications for other pipeline projects affecting Indian trust lands across the country. With energy infrastructure continuing to expand through tribal territories, courts increasingly face questions about balancing development interests with federal obligations to protect Native American land rights.
The case also demonstrates the complexity of modern energy litigation, involving multiple corporate entities, individual landowners, and federal oversight. The presence of dozens of individual plaintiffs reflects the widespread impact that major pipeline projects can have on tribal communities.
The Eighth Circuit's jurisdiction includes several states with significant Native American populations and energy development, making this decision potentially influential for future pipeline disputes in the region. The court regularly handles cases involving federal Indian law and energy development issues.
Moving forward, the decision may influence how pipeline companies approach negotiations with Native American landowners and how federal agencies evaluate proposed projects affecting trust lands. The outcome could also affect ongoing discussions about energy infrastructure development on or near tribal territories throughout the Bakken region and beyond.