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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Enbridge touted as safe investment in current climate

Enbridge spells DEFENCE
Posted: October 08, 2008, 1:01 PM by David Pett
Energy:

Enbridge Inc. is a good bet for those investors seeking refuge from beaten down markets of now.

At least, that's the conclusion set forth by two analysts, following Enbridge's Investor Day in Toronto on Tuesday.

"Enbridge made a strong case for its investment merits in today’s market, including a low risk profile, manageable capital requirements, and compelling earnings growth over the next 4-5 years," Grant Hofer of UBS said in a research note, reiterating his "buy" rating and $50 price target.

The Peak Oil Crisis: Bailouts & Shortages

The Peak Oil Crisis: Bailouts & Shortages
Written by Tom Whipple
Thursday, 02 October 2008 11:19

We are witnessing one of the most eventful weeks in modern history. Stocks and oil prices plunged on Monday and bounced on Tuesday; credit markets seem to be freezing; the Congress remains in gridlock as members watch the approaching elections fearful of what could happen to their incumbency.

In the South gasoline supplies have been short for two weeks and prices there have bounced back to $4 a gallon. The economic news gets worse with every release of new numbers.

Market woes hit tar sands projects

Very interesting line in here:
"Instead of building an upgrader such as at Fort Hills, which needs an oil price of around $90 a barrel to create returns, the returns are better if companies find a U.S. refining partner to take their bitumen production, he added."

This is essentially a statement that the financial collapse within the United States is leading the tar sands to export more bitumen directly without, in industry parlance "giving the value added here before moving the product downstream". This will definitely further inflame the Alberta Federation of Labour.

--M

Enbridge CEO says Harper bitumen plan no threat

Enbridge CEO says Harper bitumen plan no threat
Tue Oct 7, 2008 2:21pm EDT
By Cameron French

TORONTO, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Enbridge Inc Chief Executive Pat Daniel said on Tuesday that a campaign pledge by Canada's governing Conservatives to halt exports of tar-like bitumen to countries whose environmental record is weaker than Canada's is no threat to Enbridge's planned C$4.2 billion pipeline to the Pacific Coast.

No pipelines to China: Harper out of touch - Energy union president

No pipelines to China: Harper out of touch - Energy union president addresses Munk Centre

TORONTO, Oct. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Stephen Harper has completely misled
Canadians with his comments about the oil industry last week in Calgary and
again during the leaders' debate.
Mr. Harper said that to enforce greenhouse gas reduction, Canada must
prohibit the export of bitumen to any country with lesser targets, such as
China.
"There are no pipelines to China, and no oil exports to China," says the
president of Canada's largest energy union. "Our bitumen pipelines are all to

Edmonton 2010 "Spirit Train" Protest Full Length Radio Broadcast (CJSR)

http://www.cjsr.ualberta.ca/cms/news/news.php?s=riseup&ep=1377&

The above link provides:

Edmonton 2010 "Spirit Train" Protest Full Length
(CJSR Radio Broadcast, hosted by Aaron Chubb)

Tar sands stocks take beating as Connacher shelves expansion

Oil sands stocks take beating as Connacher shelves expansion

Carrie Tait, Financial Post Published: Monday, October 06, 2008

CALGARY -- Oil sands stocks were being clobbered Monday, an indication the market continues to doubt whether these companies will be able to secure financing to plow ahead with expensive projects.

Connacher Oil and Gas Ltd. admitted Monday it has shelved plans to expand capacity at its heavy oil refinery in Great Falls, Mont. It had wanted to jump from processing 9,500 barrels of oil a day to 35,000 barrels.

Dr Helen Caldicott: Truth is stranger than fission

Dr Helen Caldicott: Truth is stranger than fission
Helen Caldicott warns about the still-present nuclear danger

SCOTT HARRIS / scott@vueweekly.com

For more than 35 years, Dr Helen Caldicott has been an outspoken critic of the follies of the nuclear age, dedicating her life to shining a spotlight on the risks posed to human health and the environment by both nuclear weapons and the widespread use of nuclear power.

"Tar Sands Still Good Investment Long Term"

Canadian Oil Sands Looks Attractive Despite Near Term Risk
by: Kurt Wulff
October 06, 2008

We are committed to the belief that Canadian Oil Sands Trust (COSWF.PK) is an attractive long-term investment despite suspending our buy recommendations for near-term financial market price risk.

Dos, don'ts on energy

Dos, don'ts on energy
Another bill Congress hasn't passed
NewsDay
October 1, 2008

The bailout strikeout is not the only congressional swing-and-a-miss these days. Congress also has failed to agree on a comprehensive energy bill that could steer our economic and environmental future in the right direction.