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.
Report calls for expanded nuclear industry in Alberta and Sask.
CBC News // 09/11/08
The fight over the possibility of building an Alberta nuclear reactor has erupted again following the release of a report from the Canada West Foundation.
The report suggests a reactor should be built in either Alberta or Saskatchewan in order to fight global warming and cash in on what the author calls a "nuclear revival" around the world.
Energy economy can't turn on dime
2008-09-16
By RICKY LEONG
With Canada firmly in the grasp of an election campaign, all eyes have turned toward the East.
As demonstrated in a Sun Media-Nanos poll published in the Sun yesterday, most Canadians appear confident in their ability to weather an expected economic downturn -- except our cousins in Quebec and Ontario, where the manufacturing sector has taken a beating in recent years.
The parties are posturing to convince Canadians, easterners in particular, who is best suited to steer Canada through tough economic times.
UPDATE 3-Devon starts phase 2 of Alberta oil sands project
Mon Sep 8, 2008 5:23pm EDT
CALGARY, Alberta, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Devon Energy Corp (DVN.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is embarking on the second phase of its Alberta oil sands project, a $1-billion-plus expansion aimed at doubling output in four years, the U.S. oil independent said on Monday.
Devon said it won regulatory approval for phase two of the steam-driven Jackfish project, which will add 35,000 barrels a day of production of tar-like bitumen by 2012. It will start construction immediately.
Oil patch immune from the meltdown: economists
Carrie Tait, Financial Post Published: Monday, September 15, 2008
CALGARY - Canada's oil and gas industry, including the massively cash-heavy oil sands projects, should be immune to the financial crisis gripping Wall Street - for now.
Economists say the multi-billion dollar oil sands projects and other exploration and production efforts will still be able to access capital, even as major institutions go under and banks shy away from lending money.
Weak oil and debt markets may bedevil oil sands plans
Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:16pm EDT
By Jeffrey Jones - Analysis
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - A double whammy of tumbling crude prices and shaky credit markets could force some companies to delay multibillion-dollar Canadian oil sands projects, cutting the country's overall output forecast.
Most at risk are developments that are in the design phase but have yet to start construction. Some have already been delayed due to surging costs, a tight labor market and stricter regulatory scrutiny.
First Nation coalition threatens blockades over oil pipeline
Jason Warick
Saskatchewan News Network; Canwest News Service
September 15, 2008
SASKATOON -- The chief of a Saskatchewan First Nation is leading a coalition of First Nations considering blockades or other action to halt construction of a multimillion-dollar oil pipeline until their concerns are addressed.
First Nations from across Western Canada meet today and Tuesday in Edmonton to plot their strategy, Red Pheasant Chief Sheldon Wuttunee said in an interview Sunday.
Canadian oil sands needed
LOADING
Sep 14, 2008 - 04:05:23 CDT
ROBERT JOHNSON
Bismarck
As a North Dakota geologist, I find the environmentalists’ opposition to U.S. use of Canadian oil sands and the Keystone pipeline narrow-minded and self-serving.
The public interest in ensuring America’s energy security requires that we use Canada’s oil sands. Second in size only to Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves, the oil sands hold an estimated 173 billion barrels of oil.
Fort Chip to world: SOS
Posted on September 14, 2008 by zandernat
Climate change, water policy and aboriginal health. Three issues that should be atop the election agenda. Three issues that start with the oil sands.
Canadians are dying. Our government is doing nothing about it. Will it take world attention to end this injustice?
Oilsand fears wrestle benefits
Majority of Albertans don't buy 'dirty oil' label
Kelly Cryderman, Calgary Herald // September 14, 2008
Albertans appear conflicted about the massive oilsands -- a resource nearly everyone agrees is an economic bonanza for the province, but one many feel is accompanied by a worrying array of environmental and human health effects.
In a wide-reaching Leger Marketing poll of 962 Albertans focused on their impressions of the oilsands, respondents were clearly concerned about the industry's impacts, especially when it comes to health complaints.
Tar-sands pipeline will undo Quebec's work on environment
Voters should press governments to force polluters to reduce emissions
MATT PRICE and AARON FREEMAN, Freelance
Published: Wednesday, September 10
Quebec was one of the first provinces to show leadership on tackling global warming. It is now pursuing more efficient vehicles, has a carbon tax at the fuel wholesale level, and is joining other jurisdictions in a cap-and-trade system to control greenhouse-gas emissions.
It's a shame that this progress is being undone by the tar sands.
