Keystone XL Only a Matter of Time

LPSullivan.com ^ | August 1, 2013 | Leigh Patrick Sullivan

[Leigh Patrick Sullivan]

Because the intended pipeline crosses an international border, the president has a say in the project. So far, we’ve seen President Obama hum, haw, mumble, and double-talk his way through questions about the pipeline. While I have always believed his hesitation was caused by the fact the Keystone decision would be a no-win for him – say no, piss off his union supporters, say yes and it’s the environuts who will be protesting – I have come to realize there might be something else at play.

[humblegunner]

(Excerpt) Read more at lpsullivan.com ...

What seems to have caused you to excerpt your own blog?

[Paladin2]

"There may be some credence in the idea that Obama would rather import oil from his close friends in the Muslim world than from America’s closest friend and ally. At first brushed off as the stuff of mild conspiracy, now the idea has been given some merit by Obama himself. Given his recent actions in other areas of policy which show him supporting radical Islamic organizations both financially and militarily, it only stands to reason that some would start to question his willingness to turn his back on Canada.

It is important to note that the plans for the Keystone are going ahead despite the claims of President Milquetoast. In Hardisty, Alberta, the main point before oil sands bitumen is shipped south across the border, construction is ongoing.

As one worker stated: “The Keystone will be built either before or after that idiot is gone…unless he attacks their Constitution on that as well.” "

[Kriggerel]

The New Caliphate needs enough oil revenue to get it up and running, dontcha know?

[thackney]

Keystone XL’s Goose Is Cooked
http://www.realclearenergy.org/articles/2013/07/31/keystone_xls_goose_is_cooked_107167.html

Is Keystone Kaput?
http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/2577154504001/keystone-kaput/?playlist_id=937116503001
(Video)

Obama Keystone XL Pipeline Comments Jeopardize Entire Project, GOP Lawmakers Say In Letter To President
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/31/obama-keystone-xl-pipeline_n_3683847.html

[The Great RJ]

Sadly Keystone won’t be completed until after Obama is gone unless President Hillary also stonewalls its construction. Obama’s latest pronouncement that Keystone would only produce about 50 permanent jobs is so ludicrous as to be laughable. Too bad no one in the sycophant press didn’t asks him how many permanent jobs are being created by his green projects where millions in taxpayer money is being spent to create only a handful of jobs. At least the XL Pipeline would be funded with private investment.

[Venturer]

“The Keystone will be built either before or after that idiot is gone…unless he attacks their Constitution on that as well.”
............................................................
LMAO I love that line.

Obama will allow the pipeline when they find a sufficient way to line his pockets with graft without getting caught with it.

[pepsionice]

I think delivery by train has overtaken the whole game. Union Pacific has brought on a fantastic number of oil transport cars over the last two years and clearing tons of profit...moving oil. The whole matter is null and void as far as I can see it....the oil is moving and the environmental idiots really got nothing out of this. Same with fracking....it’s too late to really affect any state, and they all have a taste of profit.

[GoldenPup]

So far, we’ve seen President Obama hum, haw, mumble, and double-talk (shuck, jive, bullshit, obfuscate, mis-lead, lie) his way through questions about the pipeline.

Corrected it.

[alloysteel]

Simple truth here and new reality here, that seems to elude both the Current Occupant of the White Hut, and his Muslim mentors in the Middle East - there are suddenly vast quantities of recoverable crude oil available from sources NOT under the control of OPEC, and the fortunes of the Middle East oilmongers will suffer accordingly.

Canada is going to sell their oil, if not to the obvious customer (the US) then it will be piped to a port on the Canadian West Coast and go to the Far East, thus impacting the market the Middle East oil fields now have. Even now, the Canadians have resorted to shipping their oil by rail car to East Coast Canadian ports (and the resulting damage impact of that form of transportation), even though this is a more costly way of transporting the commodity.

The world will continue to consume petroleum-based energy, with or without the blessing of the Current Occupant now squatting in the White Hut.

[massgopguy]

When I heard the Idiot in Chief make the 50 permanent jobs comment. The first thing I did was search on “Alaska Pipeline Employment”. ARSCenergy alone employs 3,000 for that.

[Sacajaweau]

Obama wants to save this for some point where prices go up....and then he can “save us”.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Knowing Barry an approval would come in a Friday evening document dump just before he embarks on a 2 1/2 week overseas trip.

[thackney]

I think delivery by train has overtaken the whole game.

- - - - -

Rail delivery of U.S. oil and petroleum products continues to increase, but pace slows
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=12031
JULY 10, 2013

The roughly 700,000 barrels per day of crude oil, which includes both imported and domestic crude oil...

That compared with the 16 million barrels a day we refined. While rail is growing in percentage compared to previous years, it remains a rather small player in the movement of oil. In North Dakota, however, it moves more than half the oil the state produces.

[thackney]

then it will be piped to a port on the Canadian West Coast and go to the Far East US West Coast.

[thackney]

The first thing I did was search on “Alaska Pipeline Employment”. ARSCenergy alone employs 3,000 for that.

Most of those people are not working on the Pipeline. The majority are on the North Slope production fields and in Anchorage.

The total Alyeska (company running the pipeline) employees ~800 people direct and ~1,000 contractors including those from ARSC. I and a few of my past employees have been one of those contractors.

http://www.alyeska-pipe.com/assets/uploads/pagestructure/NewsCenter_MediaResources_FactSheets_Entries/635078372894251917_2013AlyeskaTAPSFactBook.pdf

Good thought about the comparison. Alaska is a harsher environment and the above ground portions (most of it) takes more maintenance than a buried pipe. Still it gives a reasonable basis.

[thackney]

Some thoughts about a comparison of Trans-Alaska Pipeline (Alyeska) compared to the Keystone XL.

Alyeska -> US portion of Keystone XL.

800 miles -> 851 miles

Pump Stations:
11 built (6 normally used) -> 18 planned

Pump Station Crew size:
6 ~ 25 -> ???

Total people employed:
800 direct + 1,000 contractors -> 50

Alaska is a harsher environment and the above ground portions (most of it) takes more maintenance than a buried pipe.

[SoothingDave]

Of course, with increased oil flow to the Gulf area, there will be increased construction and operation of refining capacity. So there are temporary and permanent jobs there, too. And in all of the suppliers of equipment for such.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Profits will remain big as long as there's no pipeline.
I would look to bail out on anyone who is long on tank cars as the 2016 election approaches.

[topher]

Thanks...