U.S. regulators order corrections after Keystone pipeline overflow in North Dakota
Federal regulators have ordered operators of the Keystone pipeline to take several corrective measures after a rupture earlier this week, causing 556,000 litres of oil to spill over North Dakota farmland.
Pipeline operator, Calgary-based South Bow, said its goal is to restore to the refinery in the next few days.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) directed Nangong to submit the failed parts of the pipeline to a third-party laboratory for mechanical and metallurgical testing, the agency said in a statement Friday.
The agency added that the company must also analyze the root cause of Tuesday's failure and review all online inspection reports for the past 10 years to identify abnormalities that may exist in failed pipelines, adjacent joints or anywhere else on the system.
“PHMSA has ensured the full cooperation and written commitment of the operator to take any necessary measures to repair the line and determine the cause of the failure,” Acting Administrator Ben Kochman said in a statement. “Multiple PHMSA investigators are committed to identifying the cause of the accident in operator control room facilities in North Dakota and Calgary.”
The order also requires an assessment of the pipeline's special license, which allows the line to operate at higher than normal pressures to determine whether new or modified conditions are required.
South Bow is still investigating the cause of the overflow of the Keystone pipeline near Lansauburg in the north, about 100 kilometers southwest of Fargo. The leak from the underground pipeline is estimated to release 3,500 barrels (or 556,455 liters) of crude oil.
The affected pipeline department cannot be restarted until the U.S. agency grants the operator license. South Ball said Saturday that it aims to restore service and energy delivery by Tuesday when orders are executed on Tuesday.
South Bow also said its response and recovery efforts are continuing. The company said its staff are preparing to repair and replace the affected pipe section. It also said that staff were equipped with vacuum trucks and other cleaning equipment on site, and work will continue over the weekend.
The company also said it would limit operating pressure on the Canadian cornerstone area agreed with Canadian energy regulators.
The pipeline extends 4,327 kilometers to refineries in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas. The leak has caused an impact on the long-term shutdown of energy prices, especially gasoline and diesel.
“Our main focus remains on the safety of the on-site personnel and mitigate environmental risks,” South Bow said. “We are committed to the communities around the Fort Ratson and will continue to clean up until the site is fully remediated.”
