The crude oil tank cars that derailed in North Dakota earlier this week were carrying crude that had been treated to reduce volatility, although the tank cars themselves were older models that have been targeted for replacement. “Hess Corp. spokesman John Roper said the company’s oil complied with a state law that requires propane, butane… Keep reading →
The Obama administration late last week put out a final safety rule on moving flammable liquids by rail, a subject of concern with the growth in crude by rail. Critiques were plentiful on the high-stakes issue. From the green side, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) blasted the new regs, done in concert with Canada, as “more of a status… Keep reading →
Members of the House Space, Science and Technology Committee discussed Bakken crude oil properties during a subcommittee hearing held as part of the effort to craft new rail tank car regulations. “None of these other oils are shipping in volumes that this Bakken shale oil is being shipped,” he [Timothy Butters, deputy administrator for the… Keep reading →
As oil production volumes from the Bakken Shale formation zoomed past 1 million barrels, farmers watched their grain inventories pile up because they have not been able to book rail shipping capacity fast enough. This article highlights shifting commodity production, pricing and transportation dynamics as the US oil output renaissance coincides with record grain production.… Keep reading →
Crude oil transportation in the US ballooned to 1 million barrels per day in recent years as production swelled beyond existing pipeline infrastructure capacity. A series of explosive accidents involving crude oil train cars has sparked regulators to strengthen rules and safety measures governing these pipelines on wheels. “Tens of thousands of these older tank… Keep reading →
According to recent rail industry reports, US freight railroads are estimated to have carried 434,000 carloads of crude oil in the past year. Though oil-by-rail has proven its benefits relating to the efficient transport of oil from upstream to downstream, it has raised significant concerns regarding transportation safety and its environmental impacts. Due to recent… Keep reading →
