If the oil industry isn’t going to operate on a zero spill mandate, when there are issues at sites and cleanups are not done quickly enough to satisfy area residents, a companies social license can be in jeopardy. That’s what’s happening in Louisiana. Many landowners in the southern state have been locked in a battle […]
Comment: Trains to transport oil a good option
The militant takeover at Iraq’s largest refinery and ongoing instability in other oil-producing areas in Russia and Venezuela illustrate the importance of developing domestic sources of crude oil to move the U.S. toward energy independence. A proposed energy distribution terminal for Vancouver, Wash., would provide essential infrastructure to make this happen. North American crude would […]
Comment: Pipeline east little benefit for Ontario
The Northern Gateway Project, promises to keep British Columbia mired in debate for years to come. Despite the National Energy Board’s recent approval, staunch opposition from First Nations groups and environmentalists looks set to suspend the pipeline in a state of legal limbo. Across the border, meanwhile, the high-stakes world of pipeline politics means U.S. […]
U.S. back in the crude oil export business
For the first time since the ’70’s the United States is getting into the oil export business. In the last four decades the only country the US exported oil to was Canada. There is a catch. The U.S. Commerce Department’s ruling has redefined crude in such a way that applies only to a form of […]
Comment: The Supreme Court rules on First Nations rights and Canadians duty
A Supreme Court decision in June has better defined what is meant, and owed to First Nations bands, by the term “aboriginal title” in this country. A long-sought victory for a collection of bands in central British Columbia has obvious implications for development on Crown land in areas not covered by treaty, most obviously the […]
A change of approach in getting First Nations support
Enbridge has had its challenges garnering support from First Nations affected by the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline, so other companies are learning from it. Pacific Future Energy Corp. has designs to build what it calls the world’s greenest refinery on British Columbia’s coast. The company’s Executive Chairman, Samer Salameh says “our pre-feasibility study has begun, […]
Drilling Forecast Optimistic
The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) says the industry hasn’t had this good a second quarter since 2007. Operating days will exceed 17-thousand and are forecasted to be 1-thousand more than the previous high set during the last seven years. CAODC president, Mark Scholz says “Stronger gas prices have increased cash investment to […]
Canada’s economy buoyed by hike in oil
Fighting in Iraq has crude oil prices on the rise. As a result, some Canadian economists say our country stands to benefit. Although Scotiabank commodity market specialist Patricia Mohr feels a hike in prices will have a “two-pronged impact.” Adding, “on the positive side, it really bolsters earnings for Western Canada’s oil industry, but also […]
2014 edition of the Global Petroleum Show the biggest ever
Global Petroleum Show 2014 drew 66-thousand people to Calgary between June 10th and 12th. The success of this year’s event bodes well as it will now take place annually instead of ever two years. Wes Scott of dmg :: events, which hosts the show GPS is excited about staging the massive event every year from […]
Keystone XL pipeline project may be vulnerable
Getting TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline approved has been quite a battle for the oil company and its supporters. If it is built, one group says the battle could escalate. A report by NextGen Climate is suggesting the oil pipeline would be vulnerable to attacks, the result of which could ruin water supplies for millions of […]