Keystone Pipeline Operator to Pay $26.9M for Kansas Oil Spill
WHO:
CBS News - The operator of the Keystone Pipeline is Canada-based South Bow.
AP News - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Kansas are involved in the allegations against South Bow.
AP News - Jeffrey Hall is the EPA's assistant administrator for its enforcement office.
AP News - Sara Hunter is a spokesperson for South Bow.
AP News - TC Energy is the company that built the pipeline and spun off South Bow as a separate firm in 2024.
WHAT:
CBS News - The total amount of oil spilled would have nearly filled an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
AP News - The complaint filed Friday in court said soil under the pipe had been "improperly compacted" and that while the company re-excavated the site in 2013, it did not replace that section of pipe.
ABC News - South Bow spokesperson Sara Hunter stated that the company has conducted more than 12,000 miles (19,312 kilometers) of pipeline inspections and 400 excavations to examine pipe and make repairs where necessary since the spill.
CBS News - South Bow has agreed to pay $26.9 million in civil penalties related to a major oil spill.
AP News - The spill involved nearly 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil, which is approximately 542,000 gallons.
CBS News - The proposed settlement requires South Bow to spend an estimated $40 million to prevent future accidents.
AP News - South Bow will also pay more than $3 million for environmental restoration projects.
CBS News - The spill was the largest onshore crude pipeline spill in the U.S. in nine years and surpassed all 22 previous spills on the same pipeline system combined.
AP News - More than 2,700 animals were harmed or killed due to the spill.
WHERE:
CBS News - The spill occurred in a creek running through a rural pasture in Washington County, Kansas, about 150 miles northwest of Kansas City.
AP News - The Keystone system carries oil to refineries in Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas.
WHEN:
CBS News - A judge would have to approve the proposed decree after a 30-day public comment period.
CBS News - The oil spill occurred in December 2022.
AP News - The cleanup was completed in February 2024.
AP News - A judge must approve the proposed decree after a 30-day public comment period.
WHY:
CBS News - The allegations against South Bow include violations of U.S. and state clean water laws.
AP News - An engineering consulting firm reported that a bend in the Keystone system had been "overstressed" since its installation in December 2010.
HOW:
AP News - South Bow "proactively" began cleaning up the area before receiving directives from U.S. officials.
AP News - Since the spill, South Bow has conducted more than 12,000 miles of pipeline inspections and 400 excavations to examine and repair the pipe.
(UPDATED July 13, 2026 07:58 UTC)
A significant oil spill has occurred, with the total amount spilled nearly enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. A court complaint filed Friday alleges that the soil beneath the pipe was "improperly compacted" and notes that while the company re-excavated the site in 2013, it failed to replace that section of pipe. Moving forward, a judge will need to approve the proposed decree after a 30-day public comment period.
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(UPDATED July 12, 2026 22:13 UTC)
South Bow, the operator of the Keystone Pipeline, has agreed to pay $26.9 million in civil penalties related to a major oil spill that released nearly 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil in a creek in Washington County, Kansas. The proposed settlement also requires South Bow to invest an estimated $40 million to prevent future accidents and contribute over $3 million for environmental restoration projects, following the largest onshore crude pipeline spill in the U.S. in nine years. A judge will need to approve the proposed decree after a 30-day public comment period, as allegations against South Bow include violations of U.S. and state clean water laws.