Tar Sands 101
The Tar Sands "Gigaproject" is the largest industrial project in human history and likely also the most destructive. The tar sands mining procedure releases at least three times the CO2 emissions as regular oil production and is slated to become the single largest industrial contributor in North America to Climate Change.
The tar sands are already slated to be the cause of up to the second fastest rate of deforestation on the planet behind the Amazon Rainforest Basin. Currently approved projects will see 3 million barrels of tar sands mock crude produced daily by 2018; for each barrel of oil up to as high as five barrels of water are used.
Human health in many communities has seriously taken a turn for the worse with many causes alleged to be from tar sands production. Tar sands production has led to many serious social issues throughout Alberta, from housing crises to the vast expansion of temporary foreign worker programs that racialize and exploit so-called non-citizens. Infrastructure from pipelines to refineries to super tanker oil traffic on the seas crosses the continent in all directions to allthree major oceans and the Gulf of Mexico.
The mock oil produced primarily is consumed in the United States and helps to subsidize continued wars of aggression against other oil producing nations such as Iraq, Venezuela and Iran.
To understand the tar sands in more depth, continue to our Tar Sands 101 reading list
BP & Husky approve new tar sands project
Husky approves new oilsands project
Monday, November 29, 2010
CBC News
Calgary-based Husky Energy made three major announcements Monday, saying it has given the go-ahead for a $2.5-billion oilsands project, is cancelling plans to sell off its operations in southeast Asia and has acquired oil and gas properties in western Canada for $860 million.
The company said its board has agreed to proceed with the first phase of its Sunrise oilsands project in northern Alberta. That is due to produce 60,000 barrels per day when completed.
Husky Energy 3-month chartHusky Energy 3-month chart
Madagascar Oil brings tar sands project to London market
Madagascar Oil brings tar sands project to London market
The Voahary Gasy, an alliance of Madagascan environmental groups, complains that the government has released very little information
* Tim Webb
* The Guardian, Monday 29 November 2010
* Article history
Poor children in Madagascar forced to scavange on rubbish tip Children forced to scavenge from a rubbish tip in Madagascar. The IMF ranks Madagascar as the 170th poorest among 182 countries. Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
The Whole World is Downstream
The Whole World is Downstream
Community members say negative impacts of the tar sands have a global reach
by Sandra Cuffe
November 28, 2010
Vancouver Media Co-op
Community members impacted by tar sands development came together in Edmonton this weekend to make it explicit that the tar sands isn't just an issue in Alberta, or even just in Canada. Climate justice activists have long made the point that the tar sands are a leading driver of emissions worldwide.
Thailand's oil giant buys stake in Statoil Canada tar sands project
Thailand's oil giant buys stake in Statoil Canada oil sands project
MCOT.net
BANGKOK, Nov 23 - PTTEP Netherland Holding Limited (PTTEP NL) on Monday signed a partnership unit sale agreement with Statoil Canada Ltd and Statoil Canada Holdings Corp (subsidiaries of Statoil ASA or Statoil) for a 40 per cent stake in the Kai Kos Dehseh Oil Sands Project (KKD) in Canada.
PTTEP NL is a subsidiary of Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production, and Statoil a world leader in heavy oil and deep water exploration and production.
Statoil May Sell U.S. Gulf Assets After Canada Tar Sands Stake
Statoil May Sell U.S. Gulf Assets After Canada Oil Sands Stake
November 23, 2010, 8:40 AM EST
By Marianne Stigset
Nov. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Statoil ASA, Norway’s biggest energy company, said it may divest holdings in the Gulf of Mexico after selling a stake in its oil sands project in Canada for $2.28 billion to PTT Exploration & Production Pcl.
Ottawa Targets Opponents of Tar Sands
Ottawa targets oil-sands opponents
'Advocacy strategy'
By Mike De Souza, Postmedia News November 22, 2010
Three major departments in the federal government have been co-ordinating a communications strategy with Alberta and its fossil-fuel industry to fight international global-warming policies that "target" oil-sands production, newly released federal documents reveal.
Tailings pond passes second inspection
Tailings pond passes second inspection
Toxic sludge leak story discredited
By Dan Healing, Calgary Herald November 16, 2010
CALGARY - A Tuesday morning tour of an oilsands tailings pond that CBC News claimed appeared to be leaking toxic sludge confirms that it is not, according to Alberta Environment.
"It confirmed what the ERCB (Energy Resources Conservation Board) confirmed (Monday), that all is being done as required in their approval and there is no release," said department spokesman Mark Cooper in an interview.
Tar sands execs set to hear from U.S. groups
Oilsands execs set to hear from U.S. groups
Updated: Sun Nov. 14 2010
The Canadian Press
CALGARY — Oilsands executives are heading to three U.S. cities this week to hear what environmental groups, business leaders, academics and others have to say about an industry heavily criticized for its environmental impact.
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers has been holding roundtable discussions in several Canadian cities since the summer.
OPTI Canada Shares Drop As Slower Long Lake Growth Seen In 2011
OPTI Canada Shares Drop As Slower Long Lake Growth Seen In 2011
By Edward Welsch
Published November 16, 2010
CALGARY -(Dow Jones)- Shares of oil sands company OPTI Canada Inc. (OPC.T) declined sharply Tuesday after its partner in its Long Lake oil sands project said production next year would be even lower than expected.
Nexen shares tumble on lower Long Lake outlook
Nexen shares tumble on lower Long Lake outlook
By Shaun Polczer, Calgary Herald November 16, 2010
CALGARY - Nexen Inc. saw its shares fall on Tuesday after the Calgary-based oil producer said its Long Lake oilsands project won't hit full capacity this year or next.
