Keystone: the worst leak in TC Energy's history linked to a weld defect
Cleanup continues in the area where the Keystone pipeline leaked into a creek in Washington County, Kansas.
A weld defect and strain in the Keystone pipe bend caused a massive oil spill in Kansas in early December, according to a statement from Calgary-based TC Energy.
A metallurgical analysis of the section determined that the weld defect occurred during the manufacture of the section. This defect and a tension in the bend of the pipe led to a crack that propagated. The reason for the tension is still under investigation.
However, the company ensures that the material used and its resistance are not in question. The pipeline that was returned to service at the end of December is still operating at a lower pressure than normal.
More than 650 workers continue cleanup operations around the contaminated creek in Kansas.
About 13,000 barrels of oil spilled in early December into a creek in Washington County, Kansas, leading to the shutdown of the pipeline for three weeks and the deployment of 800 workers at the height of operations. cleaning. The company has slightly reduced the volume of the leak, initially estimated at 14,000 barrels.
The cost of cleaning up and investigating the causes of the leak the Keystone pipeline leak is valued at nearly $650 million.
According to the interactive site set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency , the largest portion of the oil was recovered from Mill Creek. Cleanup activities are now focused on smaller areas of contamination on the creek banks. A water treatment system must be built.
