Oil Sands Truth: Shut Down the Tar Sands

Labour / Migration

It is falsely assumed that big projects equal lots of jobs and, by extension, labour peace if not outright satisfaction. The size and scope of the tarsands means for incredibly dangerous work conditions-- some fatalities at the plants have already occurred. The products seldom get their "value added" in union-run locations, instead the heavy bitumen can be shipped to many different locations across North America for refining, denying benefits to the union. However, the Union does not represent the "guest worker", now being imported in increasing numbers as legislation is changed to make access easier, the term of exploitation last longer, without any new efforts or pathways to deciding to stay after helping tear up the earth.

Alberta tar sands project will increase production

February 25, 2010
Alberta tar sands project will increase production

Calgary, Alberta – The Canadian Oil Sands Trust has announced it will increase synthetic crude oil production capacity at its Syncrude project near Fort McMurray, Alberta.

A Push to Save Greenpeace

March 5, 2010
A Push to Save Greenpeace
Employees, activists struggle against Tzeporah Berman's appointment

by Dawn Paley

Activists launched a new website today, claiming Greenpeace International's appointment of Tzeporah Berman as co-director of its climate change campaign will push Greenpeace "beyond the point of no return." The appointment would make her a leader of the organization's global climate strategy.

Husky, BP help fuel tar sands resurgence

Husky, BP help fuel oil sands resurgence

Partners cite sharply lower costs in decision to push ahead with
$2.5-billion Sunrise project
David Ebner
Globe and Mail
Jan. 20, 2010

The energy industry slapped down its second multibillion-dollar bet this week on the oil sands, a strong endorsement for a key sector of the Canadian economy in which development almost stopped during the recession.

Tar Sands costs driving Shell elsewhere

Oil sands costs driving Shell elsewhere
Company steering exploration dollars to other parts of the world, including the Gulf of Mexico and Kazakhstan

Nathan VanderKlippe

Calgary — Globe and Mail Update Published on Monday, Jan. 25, 2010 8:15PM EST Last updated on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 4:12AM EST

More than a year after it delayed a decision on a major new oil sands expansion, Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A-N55.39-1.03-1.83%) is backing further away from Canada's richest crude resource.

Noise limit could kill Mackenzie pipeline, Imperial says

Noise limit could kill Mackenzie pipeline, Imperial says
Jeffrey Jones, National Post
Reuters
January 29, 2010

A panel's recommendation to enforce strict noise limits at a bird
sanctuary has the potential to shut down development of the $16.2-billion
Mackenzie pipeline in Canada's Arctic, the project's backers said.

The contention is among several by Imperial Oil Ltd
and its Mackenzie partners in written responses to proposals made by the
Joint Review Panel, which assessed the massive project's environmental and
socioeconomic impacts in a report issued at the end of last year.

Shell taps tar sands brakes

Shell taps oilsands brakes

CEO blames high costs for slowed growth

By Shaun Polczer, Calgary Herald
January 26, 2010

D espite signs of a revival in Alberta's oilsands, one of the world's largest oil companies plans to limit growth in the sector in the coming years, its CEO said Monday.

Speaking to the Londonbased Financial Times in his first major interview since he became the company's chief executive in July, Royal Dutch Shell CEO Peter Voser said the company will slow its oilsands expansion plans and shift focus to conventional exploration in other parts of the world.

Enbridge shuts oil pipeline after leak; reroutes supply

Reuters, Sun Jan 10, 2010

* Oil supplies rerouted after 440,000 bpd Line 2b halted
* Investigating leak in North Dakota after 3,000 bbl spill (Adds background,
details throughout)

NEW YORK, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Enbridge Energy Partners LP shut down
one leg of the main pipeline delivering Canadian crude to the United States
after discovering a leak, but said it was rerouting supplies via other
lines.

Enbridge, which operates crude oil and natural gas transportation systems in

Deh Cho First Nations firm on demands before it will allow Mackenzie pipeline to cross land

Deh Cho First Nations firm on demands before it will allow pipeline to cross land

Roxanna Thompson and Guy Quenneville
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, January 7, 2010

DEH CHO - The Dehcho First Nations has identified several areas of concern within the long-awaited report from the Joint Review Panel on the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of the Mackenzie Gas Project.

The panel released the report on Dec. 30, more than four years late. The report's title "Foundation for a Sustainable Northern Future" reflects its positive review of the project.

"Final" Mackenzie pipeline hearings set for April

Mackenzie pipeline hearings set for April

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 6, 2010
CBC News

If approved, the 1,200-kilometre natural gas pipeline would be built through the N.W.T.'s Mackenzie Valley to link northern gas with existing networks in Alberta.If approved, the 1,200-kilometre natural gas pipeline would be built through the N.W.T.'s Mackenzie Valley to link northern gas with existing networks in Alberta.

The National Energy Board (NEB) will hold a final round of hearings in mid-April on the proposed Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline in the Northwest Territories.

TransCanada supersizes Keystone project

Pipelines International — December 2009

TransCanada is seeking regulatory approvals in Canada and the United States to construct and operate a 3,200km expansion of its 3,456km Keystone Pipeline, which would make it one of the largest oil delivery systems in North America.