Why is South Bow refusing to proceed with the partial revival of the Keystone XL pipeline?

South Bow's CEO, Bevin Wirzba, stated the company will not proceed with a partial revival of the Keystone XL pipeline until it has proof that a U.S. presidential permit is 'durable'—indicating concerns over political volatility and the risk of future cancellation, as occurred when President Biden revoked the original permit in 2021.

What is the significance of the newly proposed Prairie Connector project and its connection to the original Keystone XL pipeline?

The Prairie Connector project is a revised proposal by South Bow and its U.S. partner Bridger Pipeline that revives parts of the Keystone XL pipeline along a different U.S. route—from the U.S.-Canada border to Guernsey, Wyoming—and follows President Trump’s April 2025 order granting a cross-border permit; it builds on approximately 150 km of pipe already built in Canada but left idle since Keystone XL’s 2021 cancellation, and aims to increase Canada’s crude exports to the U.S. by more than 12%.

Canada's South Bow flags need for durable US permit before Keystone XL restart

May 28, 2026

South Bow CEO Bevin Wirzba stated the company requires proof of a durable U.S. presidential permit before restarting the Keystone XL pipeline revival. The proposed project aims to increase Canadian crude exports to the U.S. by over 12% via a new route.

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Canada's South Bow flags need for durable US permit before Keystone XL restart

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