Earlier this year, a crack in the Keystone Pipeline caused a major oil spill in North Dakota, releasing thousands of barrels of crude onto farmland near Fort Ransom. The pipeline operator, South Bow, said the problem started with a fatigue crack along a long-seam weld in the pipe. This type of crack slowly worsens as pressure changes over time.
South Bow’s report explains that the pipe and its welds met industry standards when installed, despite the failure. The company faced about $55 million in spill-related costs, most of which they expect to cover with insurance. So far, they have been reimbursed around $16 million.
The spill happened on April 8, when a worker about 60 miles southwest of Fargo heard a loud bang and quickly shut down the pipeline. About 3,500 barrels, or 147,000 gallons, of oil spilled onto roughly 5 acres of farmland. Cleanup crews, including more than 200 workers and vacuum trucks, sprang into action. The pipeline was back up and running after six days.
State inspectors checked the site several times, noting by September that the land’s vegetation was recovering well. Most of the spilled oil—almost 90%—was cleaned up, with contaminated soil removed to another location. Local farmer Myron Hammer said the cleanup finished in time for him to plant soybeans on the affected field.
While the spill area covered about 5 acres, South Bow used over 40 acres for cleanup operations and access. The area is gently rolling farmland, marked by forest and outdoor recreation spots. South Bow continues to monitor the pipeline, conducting checks that so far show no further issues. More inspections are planned.
The Keystone Pipeline itself runs nearly 2,700 miles from Alberta, Canada, down to refineries in Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas. It moves around 580,000 barrels of oil each day. Authorities, including the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), ordered corrective steps after the spill. However, PHMSA’s final third-party report has been delayed by a federal government shutdown, and it’s not clear when it will be released.
For now, South Bow is working with regulators and focusing on safety to prevent another incident like this. The cleanup effort and ongoing checks reflect the challenges of managing such a large pipeline system through varied terrain and weather.