Economics drive tar sands operations. Record highs in oil prices, though still fluctuating, will make tar sand oil ‘economical’ (read: profitable) well into the future. Government subsidies to this environmentally disastrous process remain in place from a time when the federal government was sponsoring research into the possibility of recovering this oil. Stock prices of tar sands developers grow the more conventional oil is scarce.
OIL SANDS-PART 2: "Where I Come From Is Ground Zero"
By Chris Arsenault*
Michael Mercredi, a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan/Dene First Nation, says people in his small community are experiencing rare cancers because of the tar sands.
Credit:Chris Arsenault/IPS
FT. MCMURRAY, Oct 17 (IPS) - The wheels of the Caterpillar 797B, the world's largest truck, are always going round and round at Shell Canada's Albian Sands mine.
Winter Olympic supporters and opponents both claim success from Spirit Train
October 18, 2008
Canadian Press Ltd.
VANCOUVER — Organizers and opponents of the 2010 Winter Olympics have both declared victory after duelling campaigns to raise awareness about the Games over the course of a promotional train journey from Vancouver to Montreal.
The Canadian Pacific Spirit Train wrapped up its 10-city tour in Montreal on Saturday, with an estimated 35,000 people across the country having taken part in activities highlighting Olympic sport.
Pipeline construction can't start: Lubicon Cree
Last Updated: Thursday, October 16, 2008
CBC News
A small First Nation in northern Alberta is calling on TransCanada Pipelines to consult with them before it starts building a pipeline through their traditional territory.
"TransCanada will not be allowed to proceed with construction by the Lubicon people until such time they recognize land rights that we do have," said Dwight Gladue, a councillor with the Lubicon Lake First Nation.
OIL SANDS-PART 1: Showdown at Ft. McMoney
By Chris Arsenault*
Environmentalists say mining tar sands oil creates 3 to 5 times more
greenhouse gas emissions than conventional oil extraction.
FT. MCMURRY, Canada, Oct 16 (IPS) - The sun rises in a bright, red
line over flat land, small lakes, boreal forest and peat bogs as our
small double engine plane bumps through early morning turbulence
between Edmonton and Ft. McMurray, Canada.
With more than 173 billion barrels of oil recoverable with current
technology and more than 100 billion dollars in committed capital
Russian Gas Executives Visit Palin’s Turf
By ANDREW E. KRAMER
Published: October 14, 2008
MOSCOW — A high-level delegation from the Russian energy company Gazprom met in Anchorage with state officials on Monday to talk about investing in Alaskan energy projects. The meeting came nearly three weeks after Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska talked in a television interview about her expertise in energy matters and took a hard line with Russia.
NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT A PRIORITY
Canadian Government wins re-election. Positive for mining?
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative Government easily won re-election Tuesday, which may prove a positive political development for the Canadian mining sector.
Author: Dorothy Kosich
Posted: Wednesday , 15 Oct 2008
RENO, NV -
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper led his Conservative Party to a victory Tuesday, but appeared to have failed to gain enough seats in Parliament to win a majority government.
Can Boeing bring a heavy-lift dirigible to the market?
October 13, 2008
With all-cargo versions of its B777 and 747-8 models already in the pipeline, Boeing is turning to a different type of cargo aircraft. In a joint venture with Canadian firm SkyHook International, the plane maker is developing a 300-foot-long dirigible that will be able to carry loads up to 40 tons over distances of up to 200 miles.
Weather Delays Pipeline
October 14, 2008
By Dawn Crawley
The Keystone Pipeline project is already underway in Day County but there's been a weather delay after recent heavy rain.
Keystone is working on clearing out the water but landowners are keeping a close eye on how long this delay will last and if it will affect their property.
Work on the Keystone Pipeline has halted for the day. The heavy rains have left conditions too saturated to work. Crews are busy pumping water and restoring conditions.
High-speed rail may help Midwest with energy crunch
by Chris Gray
Oct 09, 2008
World oil supplies are depleting and gas prices are volatile. The federal highway program — fueled by gas taxes — is running out of money.
Air travel, also tied to fuel costs, is becoming less affordable.
The cities of the Midwest are getting farther apart, practically speaking, if not literally.
Rick Harnish, the executive director of the Chicago-based Midwest High Speed Rail Association, believes there is a way out.
Depressed Canadian oil giants ripe for takeover
Market Caps Down
Carrie Tait, Financial Post Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
CALGARY - Canadian oil and gas companies are ripe for becoming merger bait -and we're not talking about the small and medium-sized shops. The biggies -- Suncor Energy Inc. (SU/TSX), En- Cana Corp. (ECA/TSX), Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNQ/TSX), Talisman Energy Inc. (TLM/TSX) and Nexen Inc. (NXY/TSX) -- could all be targets for the world's super biggies.
