Dakota Access pipeline choice far-fetched until mid-2017.

Court documents demonstrate a government judge likely won’t choose until right on time one year from now whether to give the developer of the Dakota Access oil pipeline consent to complete the $3.8 billion venture.

That leaves open the likelihood a determination may at present come through government regulators and makes the potential for more weeks of protests and more spent on law implementation.

Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners needs U.S. Judge James Boasberg to announce it can lawfully lay pipe under the Missouri River in North Dakota.

That request came after the Army Corps of Engineers postponed affirming such construction this week, calling for more contribution from the Standing Rock Sioux. The course of events for discussions is unclear.

ETP attorneys are proposing an agenda under which a hearing wouldn’t be held until Jan. 3.

The delay baffles North Dakota pioneers.

Since August, protests at pipeline work places, close encampments and in the Bismarck-Mandan zone have brought about almost 500 captures. The state has endorsed up to $10 million US in emergency spending to take care of law enforcement related expenses.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple said Tuesday that further delays “simply prolong the risks to public safety, prolong the hardships endured by area residents and increase costs.”