[Sherman Logan]

Keystone XL is not just another pipeline moving "oil." It would carry chemically treated tar sands.

Now I'm confused.

My understanding was that the sand was separated out near the mining site. Certainly seems that piping a slurry of sand and oil would make movement more challenging.

I also was under the impression that stuff traveling thru the pipeline was basically the same as any other type of oil. Possibly heavier than most, but very similar.

Is this incorrect?

[willgolfforfood]

The oil from those Canadian tar sands is. . . . tar-like. Duh.

Hence the name. Anyway, it's diluted with a liquid hydrocarbon similar to kerosene or diesel to make it all (the mixture) flow much more readily through the pipelines.

Virtually NO sand is in the mixture, as this would scour out the pipeline from the inside, reducing wall thickness of the pipes, and creating leaks and maintenance issues.

Search for "dilbit" on the web.