Oil Sands Truth: Shut Down the Tar Sands

Energy

Energy and how it is captured and consumed is barely viable in tar sands production. While the amount of oil in places such as the tar sands in Alberta or the Orinoco Belt in Venezuela may have deposits of similar size to the reserves of countries such as Saudi Arabia or Iraq, the return of new energy after expending energy in production is not even close. In Iraq, the process of using one barrel of oil generates 100 new barrels. In the tar sands, estimates of 3 to 1 and even as low as 1.5 to 1 have been made. Offsetting the net energy loss would require minimally 25-30 tar sands facilities for one Saudi plant operating at the same capacity.

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Winter Olympic supporters and opponents both claim success from Spirit Train

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.

North Central Corridor Pipeline construction can't start: Lubicon Cree

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.

TAR SANDS-PART 1: Showdown at Ft. McMoney

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

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.

Canadian Government wins re-election. Positive for mining?

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?

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.

High-speed rail may help Midwest with energy crunch (Illinois)

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

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.

The Stock Market up. Now which way mining?

The Stock Market up. Now which way mining?
By Jack A. Caldwell
Mining columnist
14 October 2008 @ 09:53 am EST

The good news today is that the stock market is up. That is relief to be relished. We hope the trend continues, without pulling up the price of oil.

BP announces oil discovery in Gulf of Mexico

BP announces oil discovery in Gulf of Mexico
Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:15pm EDT

HOUSTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - BP America Inc (BP.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) (BP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Tuesday announced that a well drilled in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico has found hydrocarbon-bearing sands.

The well, which BP calls Freedom and partner Noble Energy (NBL.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has called Gunflint, was drilled in 6,100 feet (1,860 meters) of water to a depth of 29,280 feet (8,927 meters).