Keystone Pipeline Shuts Down After Rupture in North Dakota, Cleanup Efforts Underway

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A section of the Keystone Pipeline was abruptly shut down early Tuesday morning following a reported rupture near Fort Ransom, North Dakota.

TC Energy, the operator of the pipeline, confirmed the shutdown and said response teams are actively working to contain and assess the impact of the spill.

The rupture, which occurred in a rural agricultural area, was first identified around 7:44 a.m. when a field worker reported a loud mechanical noise.

Within two minutes, sensors triggered an emergency shutdown of the pipeline, minimizing the flow of crude oil and limiting the environmental damage.

According to local officials, the spill has been contained to the immediate area and has not reached any water sources or residential zones. However, out of an abundance of caution, a nearby seasonal stream has been cordoned off to prevent possible contamination.

Bill Suess, spill investigation program manager at the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, said, “While this is a serious incident, initial assessments indicate that the spill volume is smaller than past events involving this pipeline.

The situation is under control, and cleanup is progressing swiftly.”

This isn’t the first time the Keystone Pipeline has faced scrutiny over safety concerns. In 2022, a major leak in Kansas spilled approximately 14,000 barrels of oil, making it one of the largest crude spills in the U.S. in the past decade.

That incident led to intensified calls for tighter oversight of aging energy infrastructure.

The Keystone Pipeline, not to be confused with the canceled Keystone XL project, plays a critical role in transporting crude oil from Alberta, Canada, to refineries in the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast. Its total capacity exceeds 600,000 barrels per day.

As investigations continue, questions are being raised about long-term maintenance and the risks associated with operating such extensive cross-border pipelines.

Environmental advocates are again calling for comprehensive reviews of oil transport systems and greater investment in cleaner, safer energy alternatives.

TC Energy has not yet announced when the pipeline will resume operations. The company has pledged full cooperation with state and federal regulators and reiterated its commitment to restoring the site safely and efficiently.

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