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Crude oil has started flowing through the new Keystone Pipeline that passes through Nebraska.
TransCanada Corp. said commercial delivery of crude oil to markets at Wood River and Patoka, Ill., began Wednesday from the $12 billion pipeline.
“This represents a significant milestone in the overall development of the Keystone Pipeline project,” said Hal Kvisle, TransCanada president. “Keystone will play an important role in linking a secure and growing supply of Canadian crude oil with the largest refining markets in the United States, significantly improving North American energy security.”
TransCanada will monitor the pipeline system from a computerized control center that is staffed 24 hours a day. If a drop in pressure or flow is detected, the affected portion of the pipeline can be isolated and removed from service by remotely closing the valves.
The U.S. portion is 1,084 miles of 30-inch diameter pipeline in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. It involved construction of 23 pump stations.
TransCanada has begun construction of the second phase of Keystone. It includes a 298-mile extension from Steele City, Neb., to Cushing, Okla., and 11 pump stations, which will increase the capacity of the pipeline from 435,000 barrels per day to 591,000 barrels per day.
The second phase is expected to be completed early next year.
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