Oil pipeline

Keystone Pipeline System

Canada (Hardisty, Alberta) to US refineries at Patoka, Cushing and the Texas Gulf Coast. ~4,300 km.

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Overview

Canada (Hardisty, Alberta) to US refineries at Patoka, Cushing and the Texas Gulf Coast. ~4,300 km. Capacity ~620,000 bpd of heavy Canadian crude. Operated by South Bow (spun off from TC Energy in 2024).

Geopolitical context

The system became a symbol of US climate politics: the Keystone XL expansion was rejected by Obama, revived by Trump, and permanently cancelled on Biden's first day in 2021. The existing line still ties Alberta oil sands to Gulf Coast refineries that were built to run heavy crude. That integration gives the US access to secure heavy barrels, and gives Canada a reason to seek alternatives (TMX) whenever US trade policy turns hostile.

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