The pipeline and maritime transport of energy products was the subject of a recent CTRF panel discussion. The 2012 Canadian Transportation Research Form June 5th opening plenary session focused on the timely, but often controversial, topic of market access and sustainability issues related to pipeline and marine transportation of Canadian oil and gas. These multimodal transporation issues have attracted extensive public attention due to the potential economic benefits and environmental impacts of oil and gas shipments for export via the ports of Kitimat and Vancouver.
Pipeline and Maritime Transport of Energy Products the CTRF Panel Discussion
Darryl Anderson, Managing Director of Wave Point Consulting organized and moderated this highly interactive and lively session on the pipeline and maritime transport of energy products. Panelists included: Nancy Berard-Brown, Manager, Oil Markets & Pipelines, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Mr. Mike Ekelund, Assistant Deputy Minister Strategic Initiatives Division, Alberta Energy, Murray Fraser, Manager Commercial, Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines and Mr. Joe Spears, Principal, Horseshoe Bay Marine Group.
Here is a sample of the of some of the key points raised Mr. Mike Ekelund, Assistant Deputy Minister Strategic Initiatives Division, Alberta Energy. He provided an important policy perspective on the need for a Canadian Energy Strategy and enhanced market access to fulfill Canada’s potential as a global energy superpower. Mr. Mike Ekelund stated, “market diversification is seen to be essential to the economic future of Alberta”. Prices for Alberta oil are currently substantially below world levels due to the lack of infrastructure to access new markets. Pipelines proposed to access new markets include the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain expansion to increase shipments via the ports of Kitimat and Vancouver respectively; the Keystone XL pipeline to expand access. Follow this weblink to download a summary of the session focusing pipeline and marine transportation of energy products.