Keystone Oil Pipeline Spill Was Caused by a Fatigue Crack, TC Energy Says

The area were the ruptured Keystone pipeline dumped oil into a creek in Washington County, Kansas, on Dec. 9, 2022.

Source: DroneBase/AP

Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

A major oil spill from TC Energy Corp.’s Keystone crude pipeline last year was caused by fatigue crack, according to the company.

When the pipeline was constructed, a crack formed in a segment of the pipe that was welded to a fitting, TC Energy said in an analysis it submitted to federal regulators. Over time, the crack led to a rupture. The company is implementing a plan to avoid future spills that includes investigating other sites that could be at risk, it said.