. Earth Science News .
OIL AND GAS
Alberta stands up to British Columbia over Trans Mountain
by Daniel J. Graeber
Washington (UPI) Apr 17, 2018

Saskatchewan joins Alberta in Trans Mountain fight
Washington DC (UPI) Apr 18, 2018 - If fuel tanks in British Columbia run dry because of export restrictions from Alberta, it won't be able to look for help from Saskatchewan, the premier said.

Legislation proposed by the provincial government in Alberta could block exports of oil, natural gas or fuels to its neighbors. Alberta Premier Rachel Notely said the proposal was necessary because of restrictions put in place in British Columbia, which has voiced steady opposition to the expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline.

Notely met during the weekend with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Columbia Premier John Horgan to discuss the project. Through his Twitter account, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said Horgan's administration has shown willingness only to stand in the way since that meeting.

"In the coming days, we'll be introducing legislation to join Alberta in restricting oil exports to British Columbia," he tweeted. "If fuel tanks in British Columbia start to run dry because Alberta has turned the taps off, it won't be Saskatchewan filling them up."

Horgan has been relatively quiet on Trans Mountain since the weekend meetings. His administration in January considered new regulations on bitumen, a heavier type of oil found in Canada. Included among the proposals was a restriction on transportation until the government determined what would happen if there was a spill of the thicker type of oil.

After spending more than $850 million since it petitioned federal regulators for the project, pipeline company Kinder Morgan last week said that opposition to its plans to triple the design capacity for its Trans Mountain network to the western coast of Canada exposed its shareholders to undue risk. That opposition, the company added, has led to increased provincial tensions.

Alberta's government estimated that pipeline projects like Trans Mountain could stimulate economic growth by as much as 2 percent by 2023. Notely said not moving ahead with the project was costing the Canadian economy around $30 million every day, adding her administration was in discussions to set up a financial mechanism to reduce the risk for Kinder Morgan.

In a shot across the bow of its western neighbor, Alberta's provincial government said it proposed legislation that could block cross-border oil and gas flows.

A consortium led by pipeline company Kinder Morgan in 2013 proposed an expansion that would triple the design capacity of its Trans Mountain oil pipeline to 890,000 barrels per day. It's already spent about $860 million on the project, but backed off last week after expressing concerns about the risk to shareholders from regional voices of opposition.

Kinder Morgan said the controversy over the Trans Mountain expansion "has escalated into an inter-governmental dispute."

Economic growth forecasts for a provincial economy hammered by the recent oil market downturn point to expansion if pipeline projects like Trans Mountain go forward and Alberta's government during the weekend said it could be a financial partner in the project if necessary.

New legislation proposed would give the provincial government the authority to mandate that any company that exports oil, natural gas or fuels apply for a license to do so. Export restrictions could extend to pipelines, rail and truck. Alberta Premier Rachel Notely said the proposal was necessary because of restrictions put in place in British Columbia.

"This is about protecting the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of Albertans and our ability to keep Canada working," she said in a statement. "We did not start this fight, but let there be no doubt we will do whatever it takes to build this pipeline and get top dollar in return for the oil and gas products that are owned by all Albertans."

Alberta's government said British Columbia gets about a quarter million barrels of oil and 200,000 barrels of fuels per day through the existing Trans Mountain network.

British Columbia in January considered new regulations on bitumen, a heavier type of oil found in Canada. Included among the proposals was a restriction on transportation until the government determined what would happen if there was a spill of the thicker type of oil.

Two years ago, leaders in Burnaby, a city in British Columbia, filed an appeal in federal court against the approval of Kinder Morgan's plans. The city said it and its residents were concerned about the risks from more oil, the 13 planned storage tanks in its community and the increase in oil tanker traffic along the western Canadian shore.

Notely met during the weekend with British Columbia Premier John Horgan and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss the project. Horgan had no comment on Alberta's latest move, but said before meeting with his counterparts he was making it very clear that he would "continue to stand up for the interests of British Columbians and defend our economy, our coast and inland waters from the risk of a diluted bitumen spill."

Kinder Morgan said it was looking to resolve the spat by the end of May. If it can't, the company said it was difficult to find a way forward.


Related Links
All About Oil and Gas News at OilGasDaily.com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


OIL AND GAS
Syrian risk premium fades from the price of oil
Washington DC (UPI) Apr 16, 2018
An increase in North American energy work and a moderation of the risk associated with conflict in Syria sent crude oil prices lower early Monday. Multilateral military engagement in Syria's civil war risks pulling world superpowers into a fight. Western allies have been relatively calm since launching airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites during the weekend, however. "We do not seek conflict in Syria," U.S. Defense Department spokeswoman Dana White told reporters during the wee ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

OIL AND GAS
Nature-based solutions can prevent $50 billion in Gulf Coast flood damages

UN Security Council to visit Myanmar, Bangladesh, Iraq

What plants can teach us about oil spill clean-up, microfluidics

One killed as landslide engulfs houses in Japan

OIL AND GAS
Japan 'rare earth' haul sparks hopes of cutting China reliance

'Everything-repellent' coating could kidproof phones, homes

Polymer-graphene nanocarpets to electrify smart fabrics

Swansea scientists discover greener way of making plastics

OIL AND GAS
Atlantic Ocean circulation at weakest point in more than 1,500 years

Reconstruction of major North Atlantic circulation system shows weakening

Cactus roots inspire creation of water-retaining material

New study in oxygen-deprived black sea provides insights on future carbon budget

OIL AND GAS
Snowfall patterns may provide clues to Greenland Ice Sheet

Melting of Arctic mountain glaciers unprecedented in the past 400 years

Antarctica has experienced increased snowfall over the last 200 years

New technique more accurately reflects ponds on Arctic sea ice

OIL AND GAS
Sweet potatoes came to Polynesia before humans did, study suggests

Organic fertilizers are an overlooked source of microplastic pollution

Plants really do feed their friends

Fixing soybean's need for nitrogen

OIL AND GAS
Formation of Giant's Causeway, Devils Postpile explained in new study

Great magma eruptions had 2 sources

'Footquakes': Messi really does make the Earth tremble

Shaking up megathrust earthquakes with slow slip and fluid drainage

OIL AND GAS
Ghana is the best country to host AU Space Agency

Five park rangers, driver killed in DR Congo's Virunga wildlife sanctuary

UN troops attacked in C.African capital after security sweep

Benin, Niger back Chinese involvement in mega rail project

OIL AND GAS
Infants recognize links between vocal, facial cues

Why expressive brows might have mattered in human evolution

First human migration out of Africa much more geographically widespread

Bonobos share and share alike









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.