Here's What Likely Caused Keystone Pipeline Leak In Amherst

AMHERST, SD — A weight installed on the Keystone oil pipeline in 2008 might have damaged the pipeline and coating, probably leading to a 210,000-gallon leak near Amherst earlier this month, federal regulators said. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a corrective action report on Tuesday on the oil spill.

Weights are placed on the pipeline in areas "where water could potentially result in buoyancy concerns," the report said.

TransCanada is cooperating with the federal agency and has begun "a safe, controlled and gradual startup" of the pipeline, spokesman Mark Cooper said. that process will continue over the next couple of days, he said.

South Dakota officials don't believe the leak polluted any surface water bodies or drinking water systems. The company disclosed the buried pipeline leak on agricultural land in Marshall County on Nov. 16.

Photo credit: DroneBase via AP