Date: April 30, 2026 l By Andrew Baba
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order authorizing a major cross-border oil pipeline project that could significantly increase the flow of Canadian crude into the United States.
The order, signed on April 30, 2026, grants a presidential permit for the proposed pipeline led by Bridger Pipeline in partnership with Canadian energy interests. The project aims to transport crude oil from the U.S.-Canada border through Montana to a terminal in Wyoming, partially reviving elements of the long-cancelled Keystone XL pipeline.
According to details of the proposal, the pipeline would stretch approximately 645 miles (1,038 kilometres) and could initially carry up to 550,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Analysts say the project could boost Canadian oil exports to the United States by more than 12 percent if completed.
The development marks a major shift in U.S. energy policy, as the project is widely seen as a scaled-down revival of the Keystone XL pipeline, which was cancelled in 2021 under former President Joe Biden following years of environmental and Indigenous opposition.
Unlike the original Keystone XL route, the new proposal follows a different path within the United States but is expected to utilize some existing infrastructure on the Canadian side. The project is being driven by South Bow, a company formed in 2024 to take over oil pipeline assets from TC Energy, the original Keystone XL developer.
However, experts caution that the Wyoming endpoint is not a final refining destination, meaning additional pipeline connections would be required to transport the crude to major hubs such as Cushing, Oklahoma, or the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Despite federal approval, the project still faces significant hurdles. State-level regulatory permits are required before construction can begin, and environmental groups are expected to mount strong opposition similar to past pipeline disputes.
The decision underscores the Trump administration’s broader push to expand North American energy infrastructure and strengthen oil supply chains between Canada and the United States. Analysts say the move could have far-reaching implications for energy markets, environmental policy, and cross-border relations.
Source: Reuters