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
Alberta hopes to reap benefits as world focuses on Suncor-Petrocan
Alberta hopes to reap benefits as world focuses on Suncor-Petrocan
By Carrie Tait, Financial Post
May 30, 2009
Canadian energy group cuts output forecast again
Canadian energy group cuts output forecast again
Fri Jun 5, 2009 2:37pm EDT
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Canada's main energy producers group has cut its forecast for oil sands production for the third time in a year, blaming project deferrals and cancellations due to weak oil prices and tight credit markets.
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers said it expects oil sands production by 2015 of as much as 2.2 million barrels a day, and as little as 1.9 million if only those projects that are now in operation or under construction go ahead.
Are Private Corporations Entwined in Olympic Security?
2nd June 2009
Are Private Corporations Entwined in Olympic Security?
Olympics Watch
by Tim Groves
Canada's plans to involve US Government agencies in security for the 2010 Olympics may lead to US corporations, like Mircosoft and Boeing gaining access to Canadian security information. Top Canadian security officials have traveled to US military bases, security conferences, and congressional hearings in order to keep US officials abreast of planning in Canada.
Suncor's boldest move yet
Suncor's boldest move yet
Claudia Cattaneo, Calgary Bureau Chief, Financial Post
Friday, May 29, 2009
Taking quantum leaps has been the hallmark of Suncor Energy Inc. under the leadership of Richard George.
But Suncor's boldest move yet -- the $19.2-billion takeover of Petro-Canada -- may be approved next week, when shareholders vote on Mr. George's plan to form one of Canada's largest companies and the dominant player in the oil business.
Alberta explosion (at Syncrude) sends four to hospital
Alberta explosion sends four to hospital
Vancouver Sun
June 3, 2009
Canada not yet ready for China
Canada not yet ready for China
Claudia Cattaneo, Financial Post
Published: Wednesday, June 03, 2009
China and Canada have talked about developing a mutually beneficial energy relationship for a long time. Yet China seems to have made significant oil and gas investments everywhere but Canada, while Canada seems to have seen an influx of significant foreign investment in energy from everywhere but China in recent years.
Oil sands ‘back in black,' crude nears $70
Oil sands ‘back in black,' crude nears $70
Nathan VanderKlippe
Calgary — Globe and Mail Update, Wednesday,
Jun. 03, 2009
Surging oil prices and tumbling construction costs have pulled Alberta's stalled oil sands across a major threshold to future profitability, creating new expectations that a comeback may not be as far away as once feared.
Declines in the cost of steel and labour have combined with crude prices that yesterday neared $70 to bring the oil sands “back in black,” said UBS Securities analyst Andrew Potter.
Corporate PR about the "benefits" of global warming
Study: Melting Arctic Likely Holds up to 160 Billion Barrels of Oil
Michael Andrews - June 1, 2009
New study shows yet another potential benefit of a warmer planet [sic]
Four vie to become Dehcho First Nations grand chief
Four vie to become DFN grand chief
Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, May 28, 2009
DEH CHO - For the first time in six years there's an election race underway for the position of grand chief with the Dehcho First Nations.
Four candidates, three from Fort Simpson and one from Fort Providence, are campaigning in the election.
The US Geological Survey Says massive amounts of undiscovered oil, gas in Arctic
USGS CARA Concludes 13% of Worlds Undiscovered Oil, 30% of Undiscovered Gas in the Arctic
Caraoil
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has completed a geologically-based assessment of the oil and gas resource potential of the Arctic, the Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal (CARA). (Earlier post.) The researchers in the effort concluded that about 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of the world’s undiscovered gas may be found there, mostly offshore under less than 500 meters of water. A paper on the work was published in the 29 May issue of the journal Science.
