DRUMHELLER, ALBERTA: A landmark lawsuit against an energy giant and two Alberta government regulatory agencies concerning water well contamination by hydraulic fracturing started with an unusual twist in Alberta's Court of Queen's Bench yesterday.
Alberta exploring at least two oil pipeline projects to North
Yadullah Hussain, Financial Post, Apr 25 2013
Hemmed in by unco-operative jurisdictions to the south, west and east, Alberta is looking upward, exploring at least two new northern projects that would help the province get its oil to tidewater, making it available for export to overseas markets.
Plains Midstream charged in 2011 Rainbow Pipeline spill
Karen Kleiss, Edmonton Journal, April 26, 2013
Government acts after receiving Greenpeace report
EDMONTON - One day after receiving an advance copy of a scathing Greenpeace report, the Alberta government charged Plains Midstream Canada in connection with the Rainbow Pipeline oil spill.
Total sets sights on getting oil sands crude to Gulf Coast
Shawn McCarthy, Globe and Mail, Mar. 28 2013
France’s Total SA says current market conditions favour processing oil sands crude on the U.S. Gulf Coast rather than building an $11.6-billion upgrader in Alberta, as the company took a $1.65-billion (U.S.) loss on its 49-per-cent stake in the cancelled Voyageur project.
Suncor cancels Voyageur project, takes hit to profit
Brent Jang, Globe and Mail, Mar. 27 2013
Suncor Energy Inc., Canada’s biggest oil-sands producer, has cancelled its $11.6-billion Voyageur upgrader project because of soaring capital costs – and the belief that better profits are to be found in shipping out unprocessed bitumen.
Alberta aboriginals oppose B.C. Hydro's Site C dam project; say needs more study
Bob Weber, The Canadian Press, Edmonton Journal, March 3, 2013
EDMONTON - Alberta aboriginals are lining up against an energy project deemed crucial to the B.C. economy.
Alberta cancels funding for carbon capture project
Richard Blackwell, Globe and Mail, Feb. 25 2013
For the second time in less than a year a key carbon capture and storage project in Alberta has been hit with a major setback, denting the province’s efforts to combat carbon emissions.
Ottawa could force B.C. to accept Gateway pipeline
By Barbara Yaffe, Vancouver Sun, February 7, 2013
But Alberta reluctant to ask for intervention, fearing it could backfire
Alberta desperately wants a pipeline built across a reluctant B.C., but not badly enough to court Ottawa's constitutional intervention.
Energy minister solidifies federal acceptance of west-to-east oil pipeline
Terry Pedwell, Canadian Press, Winnipeg Free Press, Feb 1 2013
OTTAWA - The federal government is firming up its support of two projects that would see oil from Alberta piped to Atlantic Canada.Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says he gave a tentative nod to one proposal in a meeting with industry giant Irving Oil.
Atco eyes $700M to replace high-pressure gas pipelines in Calgary, Edmonton
Dave Cooper, Edmonton Journal, November 21, 2012
EDMONTON - Atco Pipelines is proposing to spend about $700 million to replace 260 kilometres of high-pressure natural gas pipelines in Edmonton and Calgary, with homeowners paying an extra $2 per on their monthly bills over five years to cover the work.
$1.5B Hinton coal mine planned to fuel Asian power plants
Dave Cooper, Edmonton Journal, August 24, 2012
EDMONTON - A proposed coal mine on Hinton’s doorstep could cost $1.5 billion if fully developed and bring more than 500 new jobs to the town.
Independent third party to scrutinize Alberta’s pipeline safety protocols
By Karen Kleiss, Edmonton Journal, July 20, 2012
EDMONTON - Government and industry bowed to public pressure Friday, announcing a review of Alberta’s pipeline safety rules and $500 million in new spill-prevention features for the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.
Calls for Alberta pipeline safety review grow louder
Bob Weber, Globe and Mail, Jul. 12 2012
Calls for an independent review into pipeline safety in Alberta are growing, with some saying it’s even more urgent now that a U.S. investigation has sharply criticized a Calgary company’s efforts to clean up a major oil spill.
Groups launch campaign calling for independent review of pipeline safety
By Karen Kleiss, Edmonton Journal, June 26, 2012
Government says oversight already exists
A coalition of 17 landowner and environmental groups launched an advertising campaign Monday to demand an independent review of pipeline safety in Alberta.
Major Oil Spills In Alberta Prompt Questions And Concerns About Keystone XL Pipeline
Matt Kasper, ThinkProgress.org, June 22 2012
The proposed Keystone XL pipeline running from Alberta’s tar sands south to Nebraska and Texas continues to stay in the public eye. Mitt Romney gave it center stage in a
Elk Point pipeline spill releases 230,000 litres of heavy crude: Enbridge
By Mariam Ibrahim and Karen Kleiss, Edmonton Journal, June 19, 2012
EDMONTON - Cleanup is underway after an oil spill Monday along Enbridge’s Athabasca pipeline, southeast of Elk Point, the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board says.
Pipeline leak near Sundre takes toll on Gateway project
By James Wood And Chris Varcoe, Calgary Herald, June 17, 2012
Opponents point to spill, warn of risks
An oil spill in central Alberta flowed into the Red Deer River system, but its ultimate effect may be felt thousands of kilometres away, over the Rocky Mountains.
Pipeline spills are not the exception in Alberta, they are an oily reality
By Stephen Hume, Vancouver Sun, June 14, 2012
Since 2006, province's pipelines have spilled the equivalent of almost 28 million litres of oil
When a smiling Alberta Premier Alison Redford describes last week's pipeline spill of 475,000 litres of oil into a pristine river as an "exception," she is serving up unadulterated spin.
Alberta oil spill looms large in B.C.
Graham Thomson, Vancouver Sun, June 13, 2012
Plains Midstream accident comes as Northern Gateway makes its way through review process
When Alberta Premier Alison Redford showed up at the site of the Red Deer River oil spill on Friday, she didn't bring a bucket and mop. She didn't help deploy a boom and she didn't go looking for any oil-soaked animals to rescue.
In terms of being helpful, Redford was about as useful to the cleanup efforts as the media horde that descended on the scene.
But Redford showed up and she showed up quickly.
Alberta Oil Spill: Fresh Water Trucked In For People Living Near Red Deer River
John Cotter, Canadian Press, June 9 2012
DICKSON, Alta. - People downstream of an oil pipeline breach in west central Alberta are worried but hopeful the spill won’t seriously damage the Red Deer River they depend on for water and recreation.
Sundre oil spill into river echoes previous pipeline break
By Dina O'Meara, Calgary Herald, June 8, 2012
Pembina Pipeline leak in 2008 happened within three kilometres
CALGARY — A pipeline breach north of Sundre that spilled up to 3,000 barrels of sour crude oil into a tributary of the Red Deer River Thursday happened within three kilometres of a similar break in 2008.
Alberta residents angry after oil spills into nearby lake
CBC News, June 8 2012
Premier Alison Redford promises a full investigation into the spill
Shock and frustration are two feelings hanging heavily over residents living near an oil spill in central Alberta.
These Mountains Of Sulfur Growing In The Oil Sands Are Only Getting Bigger
Robert Johnson, Business Insider, Apr. 28, 2012
Sulfur is produced as a by product in the refining of oil and natural gas, so naturally there is a lot of it here in the Alberta oil sands.
Landmark fracking lawsuit starts with twist in Alberta
By April 27, 2012
Encana sells Horseshoe Canyon stake to Toyota Tsusho for $602 million
By Dina O'Meara, Calgary Herald, April 21, 2012
Natural gas producer monetizes coalbed methane interest in southern Alberta
CALGARY — Encana Corp. has sold a third of its interest in a heritage coalbed methane field to Japan’s Toyota Tsusho Corp., advancing its drive to develop partnerships in a low-price environment.
