TC Energy updates on Keystone pipeline oil spill in North Dakota

The TC Energy operations control centre has reported the detection of a drop in pressure at the Keystone crude pipeline in North Dakota, US.

The company stated that it has immediately started the process to shut down the affected pipeline.

TC Energy also noted that it has informed its shippers and customers on the shutdown of the pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta, to Cushing, Oklahoma, and Wood River/Patoka, Illinois.

The company said that the shutdown will not affect the Marketlink pipeline system, which uses the facilities of the Keystone system from Cushing to the Gulf Coast.

According to the latest update, oil is being recovered using vacuum trucks, backhoes and other specialised on-site equipment.

The approximate portion of the affected area is 2,500 square yards and the initial oil spill was estimated to be 9,120 barrels.

An initial estimate of the reportable spill’s volume within the first hour of discovery will be provided to the National Response Center (NRC) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

In relation to this, TC Energy has developed a volume estimating methodology to calculate the length, width and depth of the visible product on the surface.

The company further added that its crews will remain focused on oil recovery before continuing preparations to repair the pipeline.

TC Energy’s Keystone Pipeline System covers an area of 4,250km and transports more than 20% of western Canadian crude oil exports to the US Midwest and Gulf Coast refineries.