The Keystone Pipeline oil spill occurred on December 7, 2022, when a leak in the Keystone Pipeline released 14,000 barrels of oil into a creek in Washington County, Kansas. ^[1] The leak is the largest in the United States since the 2013 North Dakota pipeline spill and the largest in the history of the Keystone Pipeline. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Background

The Keystone Pipeline System spans from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin in Alberta to refineries in Texas. ^[5] The oil pipeline is owned by TC Energy and the Government of Alberta. ^[6] Pipelines in the Keystone Pipeline System go through stress tests prior to use. ^[4]

Detection and response

At 9:01 p.m. EDT on December 7, the first indication of a leak on the pipeline was signaled. At 9:08 p.m., TC Energy launched an emergency shutdown of the Keystone Pipeline, following a drop in pressure. ^[7] The Environmental Protection Agency built an earthen dam to contain the spill. ^[4] The leak was detected near Washington County, Kansas, and spilled into Mill Creek, a creek that flows directly into the Little Blue River (Kansas/Nebraska). ^[8] An evacuation order was not ordered. ^{[9] [10]}

Environmental impact

The leak raised concerns from environmentalists due to the transfer of tar sands through the pipeline, which are more toxic than crude oil and can sink in water. ^[4]

Pipeline investigation

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration began an investigation into the leak. ^[7] The Environmental Protection Agency dispatched two coordinators, who determined there was no impact to drinking water in the Washington County area. ^[11]

Cause of the spill

The independent analysis of the failure concluded that the failure occurred due to a combination of factors, including bending stress on the pipe and a weld flaw at a pipe to fitting girth weld that was completed at a fabrication facility. ^[12]

Economic impact

The price of crude oil rose 5% following the shutdown of the Keystone Pipeline, before receding. The surge occurred during a selloff of the price of oil, following the 2021–2022 global energy crisis. ^[7] TC Energy declared a force majeure upon news of the leak. ^[13] The spill, which leaked into a creek in Washington County, Kansas, cost about $480 million in clean-up efforts. ^[14]

References