Oil Sands Truth: Shut Down the Tar Sands

Mackenzie Gas Project / Alaska Highway pipelines [NWT/AK]

The Alaskan Highway Pipeline would be 2700 km's long and bring natural gas from northern Alaska to northwestern Alberta, cutting across Yukon and BC. Recently, projections from the industry of a north-central corridor pipeline across Alberta have been released, making this mega project connected directly to the tarpit production plants. There are varying projections of capacity, but multiple millions of cubic feet per day of natural gas are all set to go right into the Albertan grid. This would be one of the longest pipeline projects in history, cutting through many "protected areas" across northern Turtle Island.

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Mackenzie Gas Project / Alaska Highway pipelines [NWT/AK] is a category for articles and stories relating to the proposed Mackenzie Gas Pipeline from the Beaufort Sea to Alberta, or the Alaska Highway pipeline from Alaska's North Slope through Yukon to BC and then Alberta. The MGP would be 1220 km's long and take the largest untapped gas reserve (outside of the Sverdrup Basin in Nunavut) on the planet to the tarsands. The project has been resisted valiantly by many Dene and Inuvialuit peoples, communities and nations along with environmentalist allies throughout the Valley and across the North for over 30 years. Recently the MGP was re-estimated at $16.2 billion to construct. When first conceived, it was the largest proposed industrial project in the history of Canada. Now, it is a mere feeder of energy needs for the colossal "gigaproject" known as the tarsands. The Alaskan Highway Pipeline would be 2700 km's long and bring natural gas from northern Alaska to northwestern Alberta, cutting across Yukon and BC. Recently, projections from the industry of a north-central corridor pipeline across Alberta have been released, making this mega project connected directly to the tarpit production plants. There are varying projections of capacity, but multiple millions of cubic feet per day of natural gas are all set to go right into the Albertan grid. This would be one of the longest pipeline projects in history, cutting through many "protected areas" across northern Turtle Island.

Prentice 'optimistic' Mackenzie gas project will begin soon

Prentice 'optimistic' gas project will begin soon

Updated Sun. Feb. 15 2009 1:11 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Environment Minister Jim Prentice says he is "optimistic" that work on the controversial Mackenzie Gas Project, which proposes building a pipeline to deliver northern natural gas to Canadian and U.S. markets, will begin soon after numerous delays for environmental and community assessments.

The project was first proposed in 2001 by a consortium of oil producers that includes Imperial Oil, ExxonMobil Corp., Shell Canada and ConocoPhillips.

"Mackenzie pipeline project faces further setback"

Mackenzie pipeline project faces further setback
By Bruce Nichols, Reuters
February 11, 2009

HOUSTON - Regulatory delays have worsened the odds that the $16.2 billion Mackenzie gas pipeline in Canada's far north will ever be built despite a promise of help from Ottawa, TransCanada Corp's chief executive said Wednesday.

TransCanada CEO Hal Kvisle said he is frustrated that the pipeline, which would carry gas to Canadian and U.S. markets from the Mackenzie Delta on the Beaufort Sea, still does not have clearance to go ahead after years of planning and rising costs.

"TransCanada CEO downbeat about Mackenzie Gas Project"

TransCanada CEO downbeat about Mackenzie line
Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:48pm GMT

By Bruce Nichols

HOUSTON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Regulatory delays have worsened the odds that the C$16.2 billion ($13 billion) Mackenzie gas pipeline in Canada's far north will ever be built despite a promise of help from Ottawa, TransCanada Corp's (TRP.TO) chief executive said on Wednesday.

From Industry: "North American large-diameter pipe orders under pressure"

North American large-diameter pipe orders under pressure
Date: 28/01/2009

With significant declines in the commodities and energy complex, North American large diameter pipe-makers will experience a slowdown. K C Chang reports.

Going into the first half of 2009, IHS Global Insight does not expect a rebound in new pipe orders until oil and natural gas prices gain traction and credit markets improve.

market dims hope for Alaska gas pipeline

Analyst: market dims hope for Alaska gas pipeline
(Published January 24, 2009)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Energy market analysts addressed an Anchorage audience hoping for a multibillion dollar Alaska natural gas pipeline and the news was not good.

The global economic crisis has slashed demand for natural gas and dimmed chances for an Alaska pipeline, they said. The line also faces expanded competition.

"It's certainly going to be taken off the urgent list," said Ed Kelly, a Houston-based vice president with the global energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.

Federal government commits to Mackenzie Gas Project

Federal government commits to Mackenzie Gas Project
JENNIFER HILLIKER, METRO CALGARY
January 19, 2009 05:49

The $16.2-billion Mackenzie Gas Project may finally go forward.

The project includes construction of a natural-gas pipeline from the Mackenzie River Delta, north of the Arctic Circle, to Alberta. It has been subject to years of delays but Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced Monday in Calgary that the federal government has made a financial offer to the backers of the project.

TransCanada offers $2 billion in debt

TransCanada offers $2 billion in debt
By Dan Healing, Calgary Herald
January 6, 2009

CALGARY - A $2-billion US debt offer launched Tuesday by TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. was lauded by energy analysts who say it will be well-received in a market that has discounted most oil and gas companies’ equity.

The funding will be earmarked by the pipeline arm of Calgary-based TransCanada Corp. to replace maturing debt facilities, pay for capital projects and fund ongoing corporate activities, said company spokesman Terry Cunha.

Native leaders say climate affecting caribou populations

Native leaders say climate affecting caribou populations
ALLIANCE: Indigenous groups want to participate in global warming talks.
By ARTHUR MAX
The Associated Press
December 23rd, 2008

POZNAN, Poland -- Chief Bill Erasmus of the Dene nation in northern Canada brought a stark warning about the climate crisis: The once abundant herds of caribou are dwindling, rivers are running lower and the ice is too thin to hunt on.

Industry upset over JRP deadline (Mackenzie Gas Project)

Industry upset over JRP deadline
Guy Quenneville
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 15, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Reaction to news that the Joint Review Panel will not have its report on the embattled Mackenzie Gas Project ready until December 2009 has been uniformly negative and in some cases incredulous.

"You've got to be kidding" was the initial reaction of Ann Marie Tout, president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce.

Stephen Harper: "Mackenzie Gas now"

Stephen Harper: Mackenzie Gas now
December 12, 2008
Diane Francis // Financial Post

Ottawa need not sign a single check in order to kick start a gigantic $20-billion economic stimulus project that would also be in the national interest. The feds must short-circuit their dysfunctional system in order to start the Mackenzie Gas Project.