CALGARY - Melius Energy says it has successfully tested a new technology that allows oilsands bitumen to be shipped as a semi-solid product in six-metre-long shipping containers. The Calgary-based company says it moved 130 barrels of bitumen treated with the BitCrude process from Edmonton to Prince Rupert, B.C., by intermodal rail. President Nicole Zhang says the alternative to pipeline or rail tanker cars delivers value for Canadian producers while satisfying international demand for the … [Read more...]
‘It’s on:’ Kenney vows to counter Texas efforts to lure Canadian companies south
CALGARY - Alberta's premier has a message for Texas firms looking to lure Canadian businesses to the Lone Star State — it's on. Jason Kenney says there has been a huge flight of money from Alberta's energy sector to Texas in recent years. One Houston-area real estate company says it has helped move 40 Canadian companies in the last year and a half, mostly in the oilfield services sector. Kenney says his government's plans to lower taxes, reduce red tape and ease … [Read more...]
‘We’re ready for them:’ Texans see opportunity in western Canadian malaise
CALGARY - The brochure's cover has the Texas flag as a backdrop and shows an arrow pointing from Alberta to the Lone Star State. "Arrowstar Realty invites you to relocate to Texas," reads the mailer sent to businesses across Western Canada recently. "Join the 100s of companies that have already made the move!" Inside is a letter — beginning "Dear Canadian Neighbour" — boasting of Montgomery County's "BOOMING" economy, tax incentives and ranch-style properties. It offers to link … [Read more...]
New LNG technology developed at University of Calgary touted as greener, cheaper
University of Calgary researchers focused on nanotechnology say they have developed a cheaper and more environmentally friendly way to create liquefied natural gas. Associate professor Nassar Nashaat and student Arash Ostovar say the Split Flow Integrated LNG process they developed and patented uses specialized materials and chemistry to remove carbon dioxide and other impurities from the natural gas stream without having to cool and then warm the gas as is done now in the leading LNG … [Read more...]
Send pipeline fights to top court: Scheer
A Conservative government would overcome legal objections to building new petroleum pipelines by fast-tracking any cases right to the Supreme Court, party leader Andrew Scheer says. Scheer and other Conservatives have for years said Ottawa has to "assert federal jurisdiction" to get important projects built, but he has not until now explained what that would mean in practice. At a campaign stop Wednesday, Scheer was pushed on comments he made in recent days about asserting jurisdiction in … [Read more...]
Court allows appeal on pipeline certificate, says B.C. needs to reconsider
The British Columbia government has been ordered by the province's highest court to reconsider its environmental assessment certificate allowing the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. In challenges by the Squamish Nation and the City of Vancouver, the B.C. Court of Appeal ruled the province's approval of the certificate was based on the original report from the National Energy Board, which was later quashed by the Federal Court of Appeal. After the National Energy Board reviewed the … [Read more...]
Construction of Trans Mountain pipeline expansion still faces hurdles
VANCOUVER - Barbara Gard calls her three-hectare property, nestled below the forested peak of Sumas Mountain, a "miniature Stanley Park." Its lush trees and flowing creek reminded her of Vancouver's majestic park, and she immediately knew she wanted to call it home. But she said her peaceful retreat in Abbotsford, B.C., now feels more like a nightmare. Gard is among thousands of landowners along the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion route who have not yet granted the Crown corporation … [Read more...]
Alberta asks court whether environmental assessment process is constitutional
The Alberta government has officially asked the province's Appeal Court whether Ottawa's new environmental assessment process for major construction projects like pipelines is constitutional. The government filed its challenge with the court on Tuesday, asking it whether the federal government was acting within its authority when it passed the act that established the process earlier this year. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said in June that he was pondering a constitutional challenge, … [Read more...]
Encana Corp. names Michael McAllister as new president
Encana Corp. has named Michael McAllister as its president, part of several changes to its executive leadership. He will continue to report to chief executive Doug Suttles. McAllister joined the company nearly 20 years ago and held positions of increasing responsibility. He previously served as Encana's executive vice-president and chief operating officer. The company also promoted Brendan McCracken to executive vice-president of corporate development and external affairs. He will … [Read more...]
Alberta opens public submissions for environmentalist foreign funding inquiry
EDMONTON - The Alberta government has started a website to allow people to submit information to its inquiry into foreign funding of environmental groups. Inquiry commissioner Steve Allan says he is also planning to travel outside the province, with stops in Toronto, Vancouver, Haida Gwaii, B.C. and Washington, D.C. The inquiry is to also make use of American investigations into the activity of Russian social media bots in the United States. An interim report is expected … [Read more...]
