Keystone Oil Pipeline Shut Down Following North Dakota Rupture
BISMARCK, N.D. — An incident involving the Keystone oil pipeline led to its closure on Tuesday morning after a rupture was detected in an agricultural area near Fort Ransom, North Dakota.
Details of the Incident
The exact cause of the rupture remains under investigation, as does the volume of crude oil that spilled. Bill Suess, the spill investigation program manager from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, reported that an employee at the site heard a “mechanical bang” and acted promptly to shut down the pipeline within approximately two minutes.
Response and Environmental Impact
Emergency services were deployed after oil was found surfacing roughly 300 yards south of the pump station in a field. Fortunately, Suess confirmed that no nearby structures or individuals were harmed as a result of the incident. Additionally, while a stream that flows seasonally was nearby, it was not affected; nonetheless, it has been isolated as a precautionary measure.
Volume Estimates and Historical Context
While it is unclear what the flow rate of the 30-inch pipeline was at the time of the rupture, Suess mentioned that even a two-minute flow could result in a significant volume of spillage. He reassured that despite the potential severity, historical records indicate that larger spills have occurred in the past, including previous incidents involving the same pipeline in Walsh County, North Dakota.
“I don’t think it’s going to be that huge,” Suess stated, providing some perspective on the scale of this incident.
About the Keystone Pipeline
The Keystone pipeline, which was completed and operationalized in 2011 at a cost of $5.2 billion, transports crude oil from Canada through several U.S. states, culminating at refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma. Originally developed by TC Energy, the management of the pipeline transitioned to South Bow, a liquid pipelines business, starting in 2024.
Future Developments
In addition to the existing pipeline, a proposed extension known as Keystone XL aimed to extend operations to refineries along the Gulf Coast. However, this project was ultimately abandoned by the company in 2021 after facing extensive protests from environmental activists and Indigenous communities concerned about potential environmental impacts.
Next Steps
The Associated Press has reached out to South Bow for further commentary on the situation as it develops. Investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the rupture and to assess the overall environmental implications.
