The federal government failed to spend $321-million Parliament approved for “environmentally responsible” programs last year—nearly one-third of the money that was available for that purpose. Meanwhile department spent $438,319,980 on programs that primarily support the oil and gas industry through research and marketing development, with support also for mining and forestry. The total was $41,618,530 […]
Not the way to secure social licence to operate
When it comes to oil and gas spills Colorado is on the way to a record breaking year. To date there have been 467 spills of varying sizes in the the state. The high was set last year at 575. At a rate of two a day this year that number could be easily topped. […]
Comment: A renewed appeal for Keystone
What’s going on with oil and energy these days? Last week, SNL Financial noted that, “Canada’s crude oil producers are looking to markets other than the U.S. to sell increased output amid delays in pipeline expansions, according to the president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. “In terms of growth potential, Keystone is obviously […]
Comment: Make Prince Rupert the terminus
The recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling should give pause to Enbridge to consider that Port of Prince Rupert as a viable alternative of its plan to build two pipelines from Bruderheim, northeast of Edmonton, to Kitimat, B.C. Certainly the ruling strengthens the hand of the many small native bands that fish the tributaries of […]
Oil and gas patents hit record high thanks to boom in unconventional energy
Across the world records have been set in oil and gas patents all in the hunt for unconventional forms of energy like the oil sands. 12,062 oil and gas patent applications were made in 2013. That’s 30 percent higher than the previous year. About two out of every three new patents are being filed in […]
Micro refineries could help ease concern in the Bakken
Would having a group of small refineries remove dangerous gas from oil train cargoes and make shipments from North Dakota’s Bakken shale area safer fro transport? Quantum Energy energy made the proposal. The goal is to build five “micro refineries” near railheads already handling Bakken crude. Those refineries would strip propane and other volatile gas […]
Alberta Energy Regulator marks first year with a new three year plan
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) which oversees the provinces oil and gas sector, is looking for ways to become more efficient. The AER handles responsibilities handled previously by the Energy Resources Conservation Board, public lands regulations and the Water Act and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. Later this year it will also include the branch […]