Pipelines

Currently, Canada’s oil and gas industry must sell its products at a discount because of restricted market access. Would any other Canadian industry tolerate operating under these conditions?

More than 73,000 kilometers of pipelines are federally regulated in Canada, moving 1.3 billion barrels a year. 99% of liquids transported by these pipelines are delivered safely, and 100% of liquids released from them in the past three years have been recovered

According to a 2014 Fraser Institute study, pipelines are 4.5 times safer than rail as a means of transporting oil and gas.

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Counter-Points

Counter-Point  According to a 2014 Fraser Institute study, pipelines are 4.5 times safer than rail as a means of transporting oil and gas. Pipeline are the safest way of transporting oil. Every year, Canadian pipelines transport 1.3 billion barrels of oil across more than 840,000 Kilometers of pipeline.  Pipelines have more than a 99.999% safety rating for operation, and in the past three years, 100% of liquid spilled or released from pipelines has been safely and fully recovered. Canada’s oil and gas industry must sell its products at a discount because of restricted market access. Would any other Canadian industry tolerate operating under these conditions?


Counter-Point 

Oil and gas development is an opportunity for Canada’s First Nations that rivals the traplines of yesterday. Jobs and prosperity derived from energy development and other resource development represent the best chance for Canada’s First Nations to make a life for themselves on their traditional lands.

174 First Nations across Canada are interested in oil and gas development.

Counter-Point: 

Most parts of a pipeline are buried a few feet underground

This study by Navius Research shows the Trans Mountain pipeline will reduce global emissions by up to 1,600,000 tons.
https://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/documents/p80061/115457E.pdf

The project was going to be net-zero by 2023 and powered by 100% renewables by 2030 and carrying best in the world Canadian oil. Now the world will be getting less sustainable energy and higher emissions.
https://www.keystonexl.com/

Studies

The Cost of Pipeline Constrains in Canada

Title: The Cost of Pipeline Constrains in Canada Author: Elmira Aliakbari and Ashley Stedman Publisher: Fraser Research Date: May, 2018 Full Text Article Summary: Despite the steady growth in crude oil available for export, new pipeline projects in Canada continue to face delays related to environmental and regulatory impediments as well as political opposition.

Alberta Pipeline Safety Review

Title: Alberta Pipeline Safety Review Author: Theo Abels, Group 10 Engineering Ltd. Publisher: The Alberta government’s Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) Date: December 7, 2012 Full Text Article Summary: Alberta (the ERCB) provides the most thorough overall regulatory regime of all the assessed Canadian jurisdictions. This is most likely due to the fact that Alberta

Intelligence Memos: What’s the Real Deal with Keystone XL?

Title: Intelligence Memos: What’s the Real Deal with Keystone XL? Author: Blake Schaffer Publisher: C.D. Howe Institute Date: November 21, 2017 Full Text Article Summary: Additional export capacity was needed. According to NEB predictions, the Keystone XL approval will prevent a $10/barrel drop in oil prices, which would have decreased oil production investment in

National Energy Board Report: Trans Mountain Expansion Project (2016)

Title: National Energy Board Report: Trans Mountain Expansion Project (2016) Author: National Energy Board Publisher: Government of Canada Date: May,2016 Full Report Here Summary: First Recommendations and Approval of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project “We have heard from participants orally, and we have reviewed tens of thousands of pages of evidence,including answers to questions

Safety in the Transportation of Oil and Gas: Pipelines or Rail?

Title: Safety in the Transportation of Oil and Gas: Pipelines or Rail? Author: Kenneth P. Green and Taylor Jackson Publisher: Fraser Institute Date: August 2015 Full Text Article Summary: Transporting oil and gas by pipeline or rail is in general quite safe. But when the safety of transporting oil and gas by pipelines and

Is BC really Polarized over Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain?

Title: Is BC really Polarized over Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain? Author: Bruce Anderson and David Coletto Publisher: Abacus Data Date: March 17, 2018 Full Text Article Summary: the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion project is one of the most hotly debated issues in Canadian politics in years. It would be easy to surmise that public

Fact Sheets