Oil Sands

Dakota Access Pipeline

Nebraska Commission Authorizes Keystone XL Pipeline, But With a Major Twist

TransCanada got its second wish. Last March, President Trump reversed President Obama's rejection of the 1,136-mile pipeline to carry Alberta oil sands crude. On Monday, the Nebraska Public Service Commission OK'd a route, but not the one it wanted.

November 21, 2017 - The Washington Post

Dakota Access Pipeline

Keystone Pipeline Leaks Oil in Advance of Crucial Decision on Sister Pipeline

Thursday's massive oil spill in South Dakota is not a good omen for TransCanada for a favorable decision on Monday on an application before the Nebraska Public Service Commission on the routing of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.

November 18, 2017 - The Washington Post - Energy and Environment

W-S_125_pipe_yard

President Trump Approves Construction of Keystone XL Pipeline from Alberta to Nebraska

Following through on a January executive action, President Trump announced Friday that he was approving the oil pipeline that his predecessor had rejected over a year ago. Oil is already flowing from Steele City, Nebraska to Gulf Coast refineries.

March 27, 2017 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Canadian Prime Minister Wins Award for Being Pro-Oil Sands and Pro-Environment

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is treading a fine line between supporting the economy of oil-sands dependent western Canada and fighting climate change, as impossible as that might sound. His efforts were rewarded by the energy industry.

March 14, 2017 - CBC News

Oil Pipeline

Prime Minister Trudeau Approves Huge Expansion of Oil Sands Pipeline

The young prime minister's approval to almost triple the capacity of the Kinder Morgan pipeline comes as a surprise given Trudeau's concern for climate change. He approved another Alberta oil sands pipeline but rejected a third.

December 2, 2016 - The New York Times

Alberta Announces Landmark Climate Protection Strategy

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley announced a transformative three-pronged climate protection plan on November 22 that will cap greenhouse gas emissions from oil sands development, add a carbon tax, and phase-out coal power plants.

November 25, 2015 - CTV

Alberta Oil Sands

Shell Gives Another Early Christmas Gift to Environmentalists

Shell Oil surprised the environmental community in September by announcing an end to Arctic drilling. What could come next? Shell is abandoning plans for the Carmon Creek oil-sands project in Alberta and taking a $2 billion write-down.

November 2, 2015 - Bloomberg News

$7 Billion Later, Shell to Withdraw from Arctic Oil Drilling

Environmentalists could have saved themselves a lot of demonstrating had they known that Shell Oil would pack up their drilling rigs after only six weeks of exploratory drilling in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska. Insufficient oil and other reasons cited.

September 29, 2015 - Reuters

Crude-by-Rail's New Workhorse No Better than the Old Workhorse

The new oil tank cars were supposed to be key to preventing the fiery explosions associated with oil-train derailments. However, four recent explosions since Feb. 14, with two occurring last Thursday and Saturday, all involved the new tankers.

March 10, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal

Photo of Calgary skyline from Edworthy Park

Oil Town Feels the Pinch

The rise of shale oil in Alberta over the past decade has made Calgary one of the most vibrant cities on the continent. But with oil slumping around $50 per barrel, the fortunes of an industry town look less rosy.

February 28, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal

Senate Passes Keystone XL Authorization Bill: What's Next?

The new Republican-controlled Senate achieved its first major legislative victory on Thursday (Jan. 29) by passing S.1 to authorize construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Five more votes are needed to override a potential presidential veto.

January 31, 2015 - The Hill

Nebraska Supreme Court OKs Keystone XL; U.S. Senate has the Next Move

The House voted for the tenth time to approve the pipeline, and a split decision by the Nebraska Supreme Court removes a key objection of President Barack Obama to ruling on Keystone XL. The Senate begins debate Monday.

January 11, 2015 - NPR: The Two-Way

Could Keystone XL Become the Next Casualty of Falling Oil Prices?

Recently we noted that Chevron had dropped their Arctic lease due to falling oil prices. With falling gasoline prices, Americans may no longer see the Keystone XL pipeline as urgent. In addition, President Obama appears likely to oppose the project.

December 26, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

If Keystone Bill Becomes Law, Would it be Built?

It's not a foregone conclusion that President Obama would veto a bill expected in the Senate next week to allow the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. But if it were to pass and Obama signs it, would it be built? CNBC investigates.

November 15, 2014 - CNBC

Oil Shale (not Shale Oil) and Oil Sands Projects Underway in Utah

A major challenge facing oil companies in the Uinta Basin is how to transport the crude to market. Alignments have been winnowed and the mode appears to be selected - rail. Total cost: $2 billion to extract $30 billion worth of oil and gas reserves.

June 18, 2014 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Albany Not so Warm to Crude-By-Rail After All

The Port of Albany is thriving as a major hub for CBR shipments from the Bakken field in North Dakota and Saskatchewan province. But we learn there are limits to further growth after the city slapped a moratorium on expansion to oil sands from Canada

March 17, 2014 - Climate Progress

Oil Flowing Through the Keystone Pipeline

Oil is now flowing through the southern leg of the controversial Keystone pipeline. The southern pipeline is still the subject of a number of lawsuits, and the northern portion of the pipeline is pending approval from the State Department.

January 23, 2014 - Washington Post

Does South Portland Oilsands Ban Spell Doom for Keystone XL "Plan B"?

South Portland, Maine's moratorium on shipments of Alberta oilsands products may signal a tough road ahead for a proposed alternative to the Keystone XL pipeline.

December 19, 2013 - The Huffington Post

Oil Wealth Transforms Canada

Writing in Foreign Policy, The Tyee's prolific environmental writer, Andrew Nikiforuk, blasts Canada for becoming a "rogue, reckless petrostate" due to its economic dependence on exporting oil. He holds Prime Minister Stephen Harper responsible.

June 27, 2013 - Foreign Policy

Major Oil Pipeline Rejected - But Will Alternatives Have Greater Environmental Impacts?

Kinder Morgan's proposed $2 billion 'Freedom Pipeline' to transport West Texas oil to California refineries has been rejected - not by a governmental entity as occurred with the Northern Gateway, but by oil refineries opting to ship by rail instead.

June 7, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

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