Federal regulators have ordered Keystone Pipeline operator South Bow to take immediate corrective actions following a spill that released 147,000 gallons of oil onto farmland near Fort Ransom, North Dakota. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) directed the company to send the failed section to a third-party lab for testing and to conduct a comprehensive root cause analysis.
PHMSA also instructed South Bow to review inspection data from the past decade to detect any other potential anomalies. Acting Administrator Ben Kochman confirmed the company’s full cooperation, noting multiple investigators are on-site in North Dakota and at South Bow’s Calgary control room to determine the cause.
The agency will also reassess a special permit allowing the pipeline to operate at elevated pressure levels. South Bow, still investigating the rupture, reported that approximately 3,500 barrels of crude oil had spilled, and recovery operations have already reclaimed thousands of gallons. Cleanup crews with vacuum trucks and heavy equipment remain at the site, with repair and pipe replacement preparations underway.
The damaged segment cannot be restarted until PHMSA grants approval. However, South Bow aims to resume service by Tuesday, contingent on regulatory clearance. The company also announced pressure reductions on the Canadian portion of the line in coordination with Canadian regulators.
The 2,689-mile pipeline, which runs from Alberta to U.S. refineries, is critical for fuel distribution. The incident has sparked concerns over potential impacts on gas and diesel prices due to the disruption.
South Bow emphasized its commitment to safety and environmental protection, pledging full remediation of the affected area and ongoing community support.
Source: Swifteradio.com.
