Oil Sands Truth: Shut Down the Tar Sands

Social Impacts

Social Impacts. Overnight injections of migrant workers will not build healthy communities and can have severely adverse impacts on existing communities, especially those of indigenous nations on their traditional lands. Such development brings vices and long term displacement too often. Drugs, alcohol and associated violence spreads. Hunting becomes difficult when the land is threatened, leading to a further loss of culture and tradition. In towns like Fort McMurray there is no planning for the future, but merely consumption in the present. However transient the individuals may be, the populations will not leave, as “development” takes on a logic all its own. All levels of run away development are subordinate to that development, not social need.

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bruised, but not out

Oil sands: bruised, but not out

The oil-price collapse took some steam out of the boom in Canada's energy sector. Development is likely to proceed at a more sedate pace

"A transport fuel with a future"-- Beginning the new sell out towards natural gas

September 2009 - Analysis - Natural gas
A transport fuel with a future
Petroleum Economist
September 28, 2009

Concerns over energy supply security, greenhouse-gas emissions and oil-price volatility are generating greater interest in natural gas vehicles, writes Ian Lewis

NATURAL gas has long been a popular fuel for fleet vehicles in South America. But new legislation is set to encourage the use of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in the US – which could be a boost for Latin American NGV manufacturers.

First Nations says no to Enbridge Gateway pipeline

First Nations says no to pipeline

CAROL CHRISTIAN
Fort McMurray Today
22 September 2009

A B.C. First Nation has given Enbridge a resounding "no" when it comes to the Northern Gateway pipeline going through the Gitga'at lands, from the Alberta oilsands to the Pacific coast.

Not only are the Gitga'at concerned about environmental impacts, there are concerns it will mean cultural devastation for the First Nation that remains largely dependent on the traditional way of life.

Oil pipeline to West Coast makes 'strategic sense'

Syncrude chief says proposal would diversify Alberta's markets

Lisa Schmidt
Victoria Times Colonist
September 19, 2009

The head of Canada's biggest oilsands producer says a pipeline to the West
Coast makes strategic sense to help diversify Alberta's export markets.

But Tom Katinas, chief executive of Syncrude Canada Ltd., told the Global
Business Forum in Banff., that the U.S. will remain Canada's key buyer.

"I would love to see a pipeline that goes from Alberta out to the West

"Tar sands need positive spin"-- Diane Francis

Good to see Ms Francis up to her usual turgid nonsense.

-M

Oil sands need positive spin

Diane Francis, Financial Post
September 19, 2009

Alberta and Canada have an image problem and it's called the oil sands. Non-government organizations such as Greenpeace and others have made these gigantic open-pit mining operations their current whipping boy. And by deploying hyperbole or inaccuracies, these organizations are winning the public relations game in the United States where the lion's share of this oil is destined.

High-frequency trades cited for OPTI share surge

OPTI, in partnership with Nexen, is parented by Israeli corporation Ormat (who also own many shares in the ostensibly Canadian OPTI) and uses the worst climate changing form of procedure available-- borrowed from Ormat who patented it in historical Palestine as "Or Crude", called "cogeneration" in Canada. It's a procedure of burning the waste gunk from the bottom of a previously extracted barrel to power the operations of getting more bitumen.

Inuvik businesses hit by MGM Energy's drilling delay

Inuvik businesses hit by MGM Energy's drilling delay
Friday, September 18, 2009
CBC News

Some businesses in Inuvik, N.W.T., have less work lined up for the coming months after a Canadian gas exploration company said it won't explore in the region this winter.

MGM Energy Corp. announced this week that it will postpone drilling in the Mackenzie Delta region in the 2009-10 winter drilling season, citing continued uncertainty surrounding the proposed Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline project.

Alberta Clipper oil pipeline project creates housing crunch in Bemidji

Alberta Clipper oil pipeline project creates housing crunch in Bemidji
Posted: Sep 16, 2009

BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) -- The influx of workers building the new Alberta Clipper oil pipeline across northern Minnesota has meant a shortage of rental housing in the Bemidji area.

Some homeowners are renting rooms to pipeline workers and a local hotel that's been closed for several years may reopen as construction activity ramps up.

Mackenzie delays prompt MGM to put Arctic drilling plans on ice this winter

By Lauren Krugel (CP)
September 17, 2009

CALGARY — MGM Energy Corp. (TSX:MGM), a junior company focused on exploiting natural gas in the high Arctic, is putting its drilling plans on ice this winter as uncertainty persists around the development of the Mackenzie pipeline.

"With really nothing going ahead, we just couldn't justify spending the money and drilling the wells," Henry Sykes, president of the Calgary-based company told an energy conference hosted by Calgary brokerage Peters & Co. Wednesday.

Greenpeace Ends Shutdown Occupation of Albian Sands Muskeg River Mine

Greenpeace ends Alberta oilsands protest
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Protesters from Greenpeace occupied two dump trucks and unfurled a banner on the ground at Shell's Albian Sands oilsands site in northern Alberta Tuesday.

The Greenpeace protest at the Albian Sands oilsands site north of Fort McMurray, Alta., ended peacefully Wednesday afternoon after the company and RCMP agreed to let the protesters leave without facing any charges.

The deal was revealed after protesters met with Shell officials and the RCMP.