Project Background

Original Project filing and hearing

The National Energy Board (NEB or Board) received the Project application for Keystone XL on February 27, 2009.

The Project includes:

• 529 kilometres of pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta to the Canada/US border at Monchy, Saskatchewan (Canadian portion)
• An initiating pump station, as well as seven pump stations and associated facilities
• Three 55,600 m³ (350,000 barrels) operational tanks
• Associated manifold piping

The pipeline generally follows the existing Keystone oil pipeline in Alberta and the Foothills gas pipeline in Saskatchewan, with 51 km of new right-of-way required in Alberta and 18 km in Saskatchewan.

The NEB issued a Hearing Order [Document 556574] on May 12, 2009, outlining the steps for the oral public hearing. During the NEB's review of the Project, all evidence, letters of comment, Board decisions and other relevant documents were filed with the NEB and placed in the online document repository. These documents are all accessible to the public and can be found here: [Folder 550305]

• Transcripts for oral summary argument hearings [Folder 570526]
• List of Issues (page 93 of 168) [Filing A24669]
• Environmental Screening Report (page 122 of 168) [Document 604637]

North Spread

NEB Approval and Reasons for Decision

After carefully considerating of the evidence, the NEB issued the Reasons for Decision for the Keystone XL Pipeline Project, on March 11, 2010. [Document A24669]

Governor-in-Council directed the NEB to issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity on April 22, 2010, and the NEB issued Certificate OC-56 on 27 April 2010. This certificate is available on our website [Document 614192].

Post Approval Regulatory Work

Pre-Construction Compliance Audit – Corrective and Preventative Action Plan – Review by the Canada Energy Regulator – March 12, 2020

Pre-Construction Conditions – May 3, 2019

CER Final Audit Report TransCanada Keystone Pipeline GP Ltd (Keystone) – Pre-Construction – February 6, 2020

Final Audit Report for: TransCanada Keystone Pipeline GP Ltd. – March 7, 2018

Detailed Route [MH-2-2010]

• Plan, Profile and Book of Reference (PPBoR) was approved on September 2, 2010 with some sheets withheld due to a Statement of Opposition. [Document A1U3C5]
• Hearing Order MH-2-2010 was issued on October 13, 2010. On 22 October 2010, the NEB advised that the detailed route hearing would no longer be held, as the Statement of Opposition (one) was withdrawn. [Document A1V4U2]
• On November 3, 2010 remaining portion of the PPBoR was approved. [Document A1V9L4]

Certificate and Compliance

U.S. Permit Revoked

The U.S. presidential permit for the Keystone XL Project was revoked on January 20, 2021. As the regulator for the Canadian portion of the Project, the CER continues its regulatory oversight, focusing on ensuring safety and environmental protection.

Corporate Name Change

On November 1, 2024, the Commission approved an application from South Bow GP (Canada) Ltd. to amend its existing Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Amending Orders from TransCanada Keystone Pipeline GP Ltd. to reflect its corporate name change to South Bow.

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