Apparently there are already two other pipelines following the same route, so maybe it was easier. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Edit: Looks like it headed west because oil is being added from 5 different terminals (the last one being Johnson's Corner) before heading southeast.
Apparently there are already two other pipelines [following the same route](https://daplpipelinefacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Dakota-Access-Pipeline-Private-Land-Map-1-1024x844.jpg), so maybe it was easier. ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Edit: Looks like it headed west because oil is being added from 5 different terminals (the last one being [Johnson's Corner](https://encrypted.google.com/maps/place/Johnsons+Corner,+ND+58854/@47.7516491,-102.6417263,358368m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x5326da5fa4ef939b:0xd43149a62b9cba21!8m2!3d47.8041855!4d-102.941579!6m1!1e1?hl=en)\) before heading southeast.
posting to remind myself to look at why they chose the route they did. seems stupidly roundabout so i imagine there is a reason i'd be interested in hearing.