Safety Board: Damage During Installation Led to Pipeline Crack

The NTSB said last year’s rupture of the Keystone oil pipeline in South Dakota was due to a fatigue crack that probably resulted from mechanical damage by a metal-tracked vehicle during installation.

AMHERST, S.D. (AP) – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says a fatigue crack caused last year’s rupture of the Keystone oil pipeline in South Dakota

The NTSB said in a report released Thursday that the crack likely originated from mechanical damage to the pipe exterior caused by a metal-tracked vehicle during installation. Investigators say the crack grew to a "critical size" and resulted in the Nov. 16 rupture near Amherst. 

An estimated 210,000 gallons of oil spilled from the TransCanada Corp. pipeline between the Ludden, N.D., and Ferney, S.D., pump stations. There were no injuries associated with the incident.

TransCanada spokesman Matthew John says the impacted property has been cleaned up and the pipeline has returned to service. John says the company is committed to achieving its goal of "zero incidents."