How many gallons of oil did the Keystone Pipeline spill on or around Thursday, November 16, 2017?

TransCanada, the pipeline’s operator, reported shutting it down at 6:00 CST, Thursday morning. It notified the South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (SD DENR) at 10:30 that morning. TransCanada also sent workers to clean up the spill, which occurred near Amherst, South Dakota.

According to the SD DENR’s Brian Walsh, the November 16 spill was the largest from the Keystone Pipeline. He added that 400 barrels (16,800 gallons) of crude oil leaked from Keystone in April, 2016. This spill released 5,000 barrels three miles southeast of Amherst.

Some crude from the underground pipeline seeped up to the grassland above. But until workers could dig down to the pipeline, it would be impossible to determine if the local groundwater had been polluted. Walsh did not estimate how long excavation and sample-boring would take, other than “a few days.” On the day after the spill, none of the oil appeared to have contaminated local water, and no wildlife appeared to have been affected.

Native Americans of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate live on the Lake Traverse Reservation. Part of that reservation is in Marshall County, where Amherst is located. Tribal Chairman Dave Flute expressed concern that the crude oil was spilled so close to the tribe’s treaty land. He also said that the tribe was “trying to stay positive” that TransCanada would contain the leak and keep his people informed about environmental impacts.

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30 Comments

Fred Mayes

Those who wish to ban pipelines - how do you propose that your gasoline, diesel, propane, kerosene, natural gas, etc. be delivered to your house and car?

Terri Clarke

This was a small episode compaired to the many off shore debacles. And much less frequent than rail or truck spills. Pipelines are the safest way to move oil by volumn.

William Laughlin

There has yet to be a pipeline that hasn't leaked. They are anathema to the environment. They should all be banned. It was placed near native American land because white Americans said "not in my backyard."

Gordon Beaver

And just how do you think you can manufacture all of those solar powered cars and where will all of the electricity come from

hsundheimer

Char, how do you generate electricity for your electric car

Char

Char, I'm with you why it changed to on?

Char

Alan Waites, on with you no oil spills anywhere. Not even when you change yours ...clean energy nothing less

Char

Andy Johnson, says you and I totally disagree with you along with many other Americans Native or other wise. Would you like it in your back yard?

Char

Fred Mayes, electric cars and clean energy to save the people and the planet..it can and will be done ..clean energy is the future dirty the past

Char

Terri Clarke, clean energy so there is no spillage to eat, breathe or drink for the planet

Char

William Laughlin, I agree

Rebecca Goodrum

It was actually much worse. The latest report is that more that 300,00 gallons were spilled.

Andy Johnson

Alan Waites, like the keystone State? Without a keystone..you have no arch..Pipeline whether gas, oil or waters..is a 1/3 of the price of rail cars.. Can you imagine the cost of your city water to your house/cities if it was delivered by a tanker rather than a pipeline..Take a look at the pipelines/map in our Country..consider the alternative.. The average rail tanker is over 180,000 gallons..So two rail tankers is more than the pipeline spill...plus the very real chance of a fire.

Andy Johnson

there are 100,000s of miles of pipelines in America..this was political, not logical. Pipelines are safer and cheaper..Two comparisons (could vary regarding distances), $10 a barrel to ship by pipeline, $30 a barrel by rail. Warren Buffet's company owned 80% of rail cars to haul tankers..Each year Obama/Hillary could keep the KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE DELAYED..it was a $billion dollars a year for Buffet..