Airing the Engineering Pros and Cons of TransCanada's Keystone XL Pipeline
TransCanada's Keystone XL oil pipeline will be manufactured from high-strength, epoxy-coated steel able to withstand high pressure. The 36-in.-dia pipeline will be up to 0.748-in. thick in places and will be monitored constantly for leaks by a computerized system. A physical inspection of the 1,387 miles of line in the U.S. will be required every two weeks. Coatings on the pipes must be inspected before they are joined by double submerged-arc welding, and welds must be inspected afterward.
In addition to meeting U.S. Dept. of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations as well as other pipeline standards, TransCanada will undertake 57 additional safety measures.