Canada's Oil-Sands Boom Creates Vast Riches and a Dirty Foot

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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 12/1/2008 10:02:26 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Monday, December 01, 2008 iStock Analyst -- Nov. 30--FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta -- Energy security is not for the fainthearted. In the giant, open-pit mines north of this sub-Arctic boomtown, oil literally is carved out of the ground. Shovels the size of buildings scoop hundreds of tons of oil-soaked dirt into Caterpillar dump trucks as big as two-story houses. The trucks move to and from the pits in a perpetual storm of dust. Everything in the Canadian oil sands -- from the machinery to the seemingly infinite oil reserves -- is extra large. "This is mining to the max -- it's very extreme," said Brian Patey, who came from Newfoundland in eastern Canada and now runs the truck shop at the Albian Sands Energy mine, a joint venture by oil companies Shell, Chevron and Marathon. Patey said that when he first saw a mine truck, "I thought it was the biggest thing in the world." Visit iStock Analyst for full article

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skybiker Veteran Author South Carolina Posts:392 Points:81,155 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 1:35:09 PM	Ignore skybiker Report Abuse
	Yep, I'd rather buy oil from Canadians than from terrorists.....
laoloup Sophomore Author Montreal Posts:114 Points:37,835 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 11:43:29 AM	Ignore laoloup Report Abuse
	Alberta is producing some of the world's worst pollutions and an enormous amount of waste, especially water. If they don't improve their techniques or cut down on production, more dirty oil will get into your cars and your life.
ardmoretoday Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,109 Points:505,140 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 11:29:01 AM	Ignore ardmoretoday Report Abuse
	Old News
Lonewolftx Champion Author Houston Posts:5,961 Points:1,171,535 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 10:17:21 AM	Ignore Lonewolftx Report Abuse
	Great for getting creative and it will pay off . . .
eaglev Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,217 Points:377,775 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 10:05:18 AM	Ignore eaglev Report Abuse
	That's great for Canada. We have oil shale in Colorado and the surrounding states. We have billions sitting in ANWAR and Alaska is waitng to drill. We can increase our job market and keep the $ in the US. And how about allowing the nuclear plants to be built without so much eco overhead and we will be ahead of the game.
VTROCK Sophomore Author Detroit Posts:181 Points:56,330 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 10:00:36 AM	Ignore VTROCK Report Abuse
	Perhaps we should annex Alberta as the 51st state. Then we could shut down this enterprise with government regulation. I think this kind of mining operation might inconvenience a Caribou.
VTROCK Sophomore Author Detroit Posts:181 Points:56,330 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:59:16 AM	Ignore VTROCK Report Abuse
	Perhaps we should annex Alberta as the 51st state. Then we could shut down this rnterprise with government regulation. I think this kind of mining operation might inconvenience a Caribou.
armstrmb Champion Author Houston Posts:2,377 Points:523,620 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:52:07 AM	Ignore armstrmb Report Abuse
	From the headline, it is hard to tell if the newspaper has an agenda that it wants to accomplish with this article.
Toanomudd All-Star Author Virginia Beach Posts:598 Points:71,680 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:52:02 AM	Ignore Toanomudd Report Abuse
	At our current rate of consumption, we will need massive amounts of oil in the near to mid-term future. Canada makes sense for so many reasons, but chief among those is cost... it is cheaper to ship next door than around the world. PurvisMike... While there are things about the Pickens plan that are notable... I see no sense in shutting down coal burning plants.... Coal is the one resource that we have an abundance of. Sure... slowly shut down the older dirtier plants, but continue to allow the construction of cleaner burning plants... Everyday I watch trainload after trainload go by my town shipping our coal overseas for a song... We generally do not burn oil for power... at least on any notable scale (I believe that less than 1% of our power comes from oil power plants) "The problem with nuclear".... except that once built, they reliably produce massive amounts of power without any emissions. Oh and they need to be refueled about once every 2 years. The obstacles to nuclear are entirely political. That is why Dominion Power has been attempting to buy every nuclear power plant in the country.... you can operate a nuke plant, but building one is politically impossible. Who is going to build refineries??? Right now refiners have had a hard time maintaining profitability. Even when attempting to build a refinery, you are looking at decades of litigation from environmental groups. Wow...this is a long post! Anyway, I find it interesting that Pickens is basically discounting every power source he does not have an investment in... I am all for wind power, and converting cars to natural gas is a good idea... but the cost and infrastructure would be massive
GasholeMI Champion Author Lansing Posts:1,976 Points:159,390 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:51:56 AM	Ignore GasholeMI Report Abuse
	I still think CNG would be better right now then oil-sands although we should not give up on oil sands either.
Jamer All-Star Author Orange County Posts:920 Points:126,830 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:49:44 AM	Ignore Jamer Report Abuse
	I agree, I would rather buy oil from Canada than the middle east.
kelsielee Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:396 Points:86,200 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:47:22 AM	Ignore kelsielee Report Abuse
	It is great to have a source of imported oil from a friendly nation. It is not so great to see such an adverse environmental impact. There is no easy answer that will satisfy all factions about how to deal with the oil sands.
94Vol Rookie Author Nashville Posts:54 Points:17,405 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:44:41 AM	Ignore 94Vol Report Abuse
	It is amazing to seehow it has changed the landscape up there. I go up there every year and most of the people we visit up there said most of the people have stopped working in the service industry in big cities like Edmonton because they can go work in the oil fields and make 100k and only work 8 months out of the year.
GasBuddySean Rookie Author St. Louis Posts:8 Points:72,910 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:43:12 AM	Ignore GasBuddySean Report Abuse
	Keeping it (oil imports) in North America, at least.
cdanielwyke Veteran Author Greensboro Posts:322 Points:74,290 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:42:42 AM	Ignore cdanielwyke Report Abuse
	I'm glad they're our friends.
napermike79 All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:748 Points:434,690 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:40:58 AM	Ignore napermike79 Report Abuse
	we have the same resources available in North Dakota
guyincognitoNY Veteran Author New York Posts:386 Points:92,060 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:40:49 AM	Ignore guyincognitoNY Report Abuse
	get the oil sands in gear.
AZDaisy Veteran Author Arizona Posts:325 Points:95,640 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:37:53 AM	Ignore AZDaisy Report Abuse
	Go CANADA
10pennypincher All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:532 Points:240,725 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:37:09 AM	Ignore 10pennypincher Report Abuse
	I would rather buy oil from Canada than the middle east!
rod1965 All-Star Author Portland Posts:722 Points:116,345 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:35:53 AM	Ignore rod1965 Report Abuse
	Haven't we heard about this before?
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:2,338 Points:441,560 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:33:52 AM	Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse
	This seems to be an article surfaced a week or two prior. All possiblilties for energy production should be maximized for beneficial use and utility to the public.
TKDBlackBelt Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,427 Points:390,505 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:33:32 AM	Ignore TKDBlackBelt Report Abuse
	"Canada, which in 1997 signed the Kyoto treaty on reducing emissions, now struggles to reconcile its newfound role of energy superpower with its promise to cut greenhouse gases. Some say oil-sands profits have cooled the country's enthusiasm for the treaty." Well, DUH! The Kyoto Treaty is DESIGNED to punish the "evil westerners" while letting countries like China off the hook ... even though China is a MUCH BIGGER POLLUTER than ANY western country! Get rid of Kyoto and do what you have to do to meet the energy needs, but do it in as environmentally friendly way as you can -- that DOESN'T mean you have to kill your industry/economy to do it!
spunky4443 Champion Author Washington Posts:1,388 Points:503,300 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:33:31 AM	Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse
	Everybody will be singing Oh Canada, with all their Oil.
purvismike All-Star Author Wisconsin Posts:757 Points:155,850 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:32:52 AM	Ignore purvismike Report Abuse
	I STILL BELIEVE IN THE PICKENS PLAN!!! 1. Drill for more Oil where we already know where these reserves are at. Keep all reserves in country. 2. Build more Refineries inland away from Costal Areas. 3. Convert all Utilities burning Coal & Oil to Natural Gas. 4. Convert existing Gas burning vehicles to Natural Gas. (The whole country of IRAN is doing this now.) 5. Complete and Finish the WIND MILL corridor project. 6. Keep up the Research & Development of Alternate Fuels, Renewable Fuels & Energies. That of AUQA, GEOTHERMAL, WIND, SOLAR, ETC... The need to form a LOBBY and go to Washington has never been stronger!!! The problem I see with Nuclear (unless I've missed something) is that 1. It takes twice as long for one of those plants to come online. 2. To my knowledge theres still no safe way to dispose of the used rods. We as Americans create an awful lot of garbarge heck I live alone and I can't believe what I take to the curb weekly. With all the Technology we have, the way its been put to use we should be able to put anything and everything to work for us. With the RESERVES we have in our Country we should not have to worry about OPEC. What will happen when these OPEC Countries start fighting amongst themselves? The Pickens Plan (to me) would be the Ultimate Stimulus Package our Government could come up with. JOB CREATION LESS OIL IMPORTS Lets face it reported Unemployment is at 6.5% unreported ups that to 10%. Another thing that could be done which would help our faulting auto industry is to allow some of the autos that are being produced off-shore to be produced here. The Government would have to lower crash & environmental standards but these are all things that can be worked on during the Interim. As far as Democrates being in the ruling favor this is why a LOBBY needs to be created. Course that takes big money. But more than not LOBBY's usually get there way with the Government no matter who's in Office.
niceguytx Champion Author Houston Posts:5,934 Points:1,150,350 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:32:02 AM	Ignore niceguytx Report Abuse
	Sounds like big "dirty money."
parsec All-Star Author Toronto Posts:586 Points:89,490 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:30:45 AM	Ignore parsec Report Abuse
	These oil sands - 9% of US crude oil imports. Not bad!
tobasco Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,282 Points:866,020 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:30:14 AM	Ignore tobasco Report Abuse
	Love it.
cableman31 Champion Author New York Posts:1,009 Points:476,140 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:29:02 AM	Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse
	This is a necessary 1st step. And you never will satisfy everybody. In this country you always have somebody with something to say. And yes it is imported oil, but I will import from Canada anytime.
glazarides All-Star Author Akron Posts:597 Points:380,215 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:27:38 AM	Ignore glazarides Report Abuse
	Sounds messy. We need viable alternatives so we don't keep messing up the earth.
andyrew Veteran Author Baltimore Posts:324 Points:110,430 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:23:03 AM	Ignore andyrew Report Abuse
	its still an import, but not an import from a country we'll ever go to war with. plus, the transportation costs of those imports are a lot lower. but never fear... we'll ALWAYS be importng SOMETHING from SOMEWHERE. some of those things might be luxuries, some might be necessities.
Chazzer Champion Author Nevada Posts:8,315 Points:1,773,285 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:21:06 AM	Ignore Chazzer Report Abuse
	Of course it does!
Sisipepe Sophomore Author Maryland Posts:212 Points:46,070 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:20:47 AM	Ignore Sisipepe Report Abuse
	ok
Thanatos1369 Sophomore Author Illinois Posts:235 Points:98,060 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:19:16 AM	Ignore Thanatos1369 Report Abuse
	This definitely shows that you can't please everyone...get rich while complaining about the impact on the environment...sounds like a case of Humanity 101 to me.
NedW All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:734 Points:180,610 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:18:52 AM	Ignore NedW Report Abuse
	Utilizing God given resources and, with a little innovation? What a concept!
danthemanvan Champion Author Montgomery Posts:3,345 Points:696,855 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:18:04 AM	Ignore danthemanvan Report Abuse
	let's don't stop conserving gas, no matter how low the price goes!
Palico Sophomore Author South Carolina Posts:161 Points:53,870 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:17:52 AM	Ignore Palico Report Abuse
	Well it's better than oil from countries that are trying to kill western society. Hopefully they have a way to recover the area after they finish.
CpuNurd Veteran Author Oakland Posts:360 Points:49,875 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:17:03 AM	Ignore CpuNurd Report Abuse
	why not
salog All-Star Author Columbia Posts:881 Points:432,960 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:15:05 AM	Ignore salog Report Abuse
	just what we need, another big hole in the planet.
Retowered Champion Author Colorado Posts:1,228 Points:1,128,770 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:14:47 AM	Ignore Retowered Report Abuse
	OK.
paulthebear Champion Author Alberta Posts:1,297 Points:299,045 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:14:24 AM	Ignore paulthebear Report Abuse
	In the Cold Lake area - 200 miles south of Ft Macmurray, the oil is recovered via heating and pumping from more conventional wells because of the depth of the deposits. Even though the people in larger cities would be most unhappy if the supply of oil was cut off, they still bemoan the environmental damage that making it available to them causes. I don't see them willing to give up their lifestyle though.
PenDoctrJD Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,650 Points:1,423,415 Joined:Aug 2001	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:14:14 AM	Ignore PenDoctrJD Report Abuse
	Get it while you can sell it.
bug27 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,200 Points:1,219,950 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:12:19 AM	Ignore bug27 Report Abuse
	Drill, drill, drill or dig, dig, dig! It's all the same. But don't forget to continue conserving and developing those alternatives. WE NEED ALL THE ABOVE!
MightyDude Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,266 Points:1,075,095 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:11:57 AM	Ignore MightyDude Report Abuse
	interesting
owatonnajeep Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,787 Points:361,175 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:11:30 AM	Ignore owatonnajeep Report Abuse
	mining to the max
rylank Sophomore Author Mississippi Posts:203 Points:45,165 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:11:22 AM	Ignore rylank Report Abuse
	drill offshore!
spadilla Veteran Author San Antonio Posts:431 Points:86,115 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:10:54 AM	Ignore spadilla Report Abuse
	I hope Canada can help the Americas get some independence from OPEC.
thedennis64 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:816 Points:743,370 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:10:23 AM	Ignore thedennis64 Report Abuse
	Development of viable alternatives needs to continue.
mahenv7 Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,439 Points:289,665 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:07:51 AM	Ignore mahenv7 Report Abuse
	But they are always complaining
mrkel Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,840 Points:854,700 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:07:44 AM	Ignore mrkel Report Abuse
	Old news, no new posting.
techque All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:886 Points:988,125 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 9:06:24 AM	Ignore techque Report Abuse
	costlier to extract and process, but I'd rather support friendly Canadians than hostile petro-terrorists !

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