Keystone Pipeline Resumes Operations Under Reduced Pressure After North Dakota Oil Spill

The pipeline restart follows a week-long shutdown, with federal regulators mandating strict safety measures and ongoing investigations into the cause of the spill.

• The Keystone pipeline was restarted on April 15, 2025, at reduced operating pressure after a spill near Fort Ransom, North Dakota, released approximately 3,500 barrels of crude oil.
• The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) approved the restart under conditions outlined in a Corrective Action Order, including pressure restrictions and ongoing testing.
• South Bow, the pipeline operator, completed repairs, inspections, and testing at the spill site before resuming operations, with 24/7 monitoring in place to ensure compliance.
• The failed pipeline segment has been replaced, and the removed pipe will undergo metallurgical testing to determine the root cause of the rupture.
• The Keystone pipeline, a critical oil transport channel from Canada to U.S. refineries, has faced scrutiny for its history of spills, with federal regulators documenting multiple incidents in recent years.

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