Where to-- the Northern Gateway Pipeline project?
There is ongoing speculation about the real potential of the Bakken and
shale oil resource discoveries ,worldwide. The U.S. are fairly certain that in a
few years they will be net exporters of oil and gas.See the following two
references and be bewildered.How might these resources affect us—maybe the Tar
Sands will eventually be challenged by this new huge production potential(some
say with less expensive and more desirable product )Note; Alberta also claim
huge reserves of these shale oil deposits??—Where will it ALL TAKE US--remains
to be seen.Of course Enbridge and Trans Canada will be building MANY pipelines
to carry these new oil and gas products—to everywhere !!
Reference 1. a world outlook http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/
and 2. a Canadian outlook http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/peak-oil-more-like-peak-canada/article5370334/
-look at these and then ask yourself “what we in BC should do about the
Northern Gateway pipeline project”?—Get on with it OR let it die?
Some suggestions for Enbridge; Yes the Enbridge Gang have an image problem;
largely due to the mess created in the Michigan-Kalamazoo fiasco.—Most pipelines
,eventually, will have a leak incident....and with GOOD OPERATING PRACTICES the
incident will be handled with little impact.The history making Kalamazoo
incident was unfortunate for all parties—and this incident is causing Enbridge
much hard work to gain public confidence. Yes ,BC residents are not yet ready to
have Enbridge build a pipeline through very difficult mountainous route , then
to ‘handoff’ the responsibility for marine transport in very large oil tankers
as they wiggle their way through a 50 kilometer inlet waterway. Enbridge have
‘stuck’ steadfastly to this ‘bad plan’. Couple this with Enbridge’s inability to
create an ‘operations safety’ image and they make it very difficult for
‘peasants’ like me to accept their ‘bad plan’! Yes ,there is a strong Provincial
and Federal government desire for the pipeline operations REVENUE—and couple
this a bit of BULLYING by Enbridge-- we might yet see the pipeline built.
However the problems are mounting;
1. the public negative stance remains—Enbridge likely don’t care much---BUT
the politicians are getting nervous and ‘nervouser’!
2.time is every ones enemy—the longer we wait—the sooner all this Bakken
and shale oil bonanza factors into the outcome—how? As I see it ,after reading
some of the articles referred to above---Enbridge ,though reluctantly, may
say—enough already-‘we’re out of here’!---Enbridge are likely to benefit
‘hugely’ from these new oil and gas finds—they’ll be building pipelines to meet
the continental demand... and the Northern Gateway loss may become but a blip on
their balance sheets!
3. Is there hope?—yes—but time may be an issue—so what to do – First,
Enbridge needs to get busy and earn the public trust—I see a sign of hope –Al
Monaco,new President and CEO,is making some good noises—he’s been quoted
recently discussing the ‘possibility’ of moving tanker ship loading out of
Douglas Channel and to Prince Rupert—repeat—a ‘possibility’.
And now MORE hopeful signs for Enbridge –see http://m.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/pq-makes-oily-mess-with-its-pipeline-rhetoric/article5398351/?service=mobile
where the columnist tells us that ...”Al Monaco ,may be changing the ways of his
company...tying executive bonuses to safety and security...” this is the signal
that many have been waiting for—this guy has been listening and more importantly
–he’s acting ! ! However the columnist also suggests that the Northern Gateway
pipeline project ...looks doomed!—Many folks are saying the same thing—Yet hope
remains, IF Mr. Monaco can quickly SHOW B.C. public the NEW ENBRIDGE--
4.Convince the willing members of the Board to ‘have an OPERATIONS SAFETY
EPIPHANY’(what to do with the unwilling??)—First ,get rid of those fluffy full
page color ads and spend the money elsewhere--get the senior technical and
management (including Board members) on the road (local gatherings,major and
local media,etc..)to show us that your ‘operators’ know their stuff—we, the
public,will judge the QUALITY of your team—Romney and Obama went in front of a
world audience to show themselves—now you SHOW US THE BEEF!!
5.show us your NEW ORGANIZATION– I suggest that you include CORPORATE
TECHNICAL OFFICER,(CTO ) who will be responsible to keep you and the Board
apprised of system conditions –and show how will the Board be held ACCOUNTABLE
for directing and funding system needs and sound practices, in a timely
manner...don’t just follow operating and technical standards—SET THE STANDARDS!
6. In spite of all the naysayers—there are millions of miles of pipelines
and millions more will be built—let BC enjoy the benefits(yes there are
risks)—let Enbridge show us how they intend to MINIMIZE the risks!—Let’s get on
with the project ‘SMARTLY’--and together,eventually, we should enjoy the
benefits of this controversial project..
Simple as that
