Category Archives: Technology

Energy

Explainer: Why Canadian oil is so important to the United States

Complementary production in Canada and the U.S. boosts energy security

By Deborah Jaremko, Originally published on the Canadian Energy Centre

The United States is now the world’s largest oil producer, but its reliance on oil imports from Canada has never been higher.

Through a vast handshake of pipelines and refineries, Canadian oil and U.S. oil complement each other, strengthening North American energy security.

Here’s why.

Continue reading Explainer: Why Canadian oil is so important to the United States →
Energy

U.S. tariffs or not, Canada needs to build new oil and gas pipeline space fast

Expansion work underway takes on greater importance amid trade dispute

By Grady Semmens, Originally published on the Canada Energy Centre

Last April, as the frozen landscape began its spring thaw, a 23-kilometre stretch of newly built pipeline started moving natural gas across northwest Alberta.

There was no fanfare when this small extension of TC Energy’s Nova Gas Transmission Limited (NGTL) system went online – adding room for more gas than all the homes in Calgary use every day.

It’s part of the ongoing expansion of the NGTL system, which connects natural gas from British Columbia and Alberta to the vast TC Energy network. In fact, one in every 10 molecules of natural gas moved across North America touches NGTL.

With new uncertainty emerging from Canada’s biggest oil and gas customer – the United States – there is a rallying cry to get new major pipelines built to reach across Canada and to wider markets.

Continue reading U.S. tariffs or not, Canada needs to build new oil and gas pipeline space fast →
Energy, Environment

‘Significant change’ in oil sands emissions growth while sector nears $1 trillion in spending

‘The oil sands are Canada’s winning lottery ticket’

By Deborah Jaremko, Originally Published on the Canadian Energy Centre

As Alberta’s oil sands sector reaches a major economic milestone, a new report shows that emissions growth continues to slow.

There is a clear “structural break” for the industry where production growth is beginning to rise faster than emissions growth, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. While last year’s oil sands production was nine per cent higher than in 2019, total emissions rose by just three per cent.

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Energy, Environment

44 ‘serious’ leaks reported at B.C. oil and gas sites in the past year

Editor’s note: A Natural Resources Canada news release from September 18, 2020 stated “There are 25,000 oil and gas well sites in B.C., of which approximately 770 are considered orphan. In addition, there are currently 7,933 dormant well sites in the province.”

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

This investigation is a collaboration between The Narwhal and the Investigative Journalism Foundation.

Oil and gas companies operating in British Columbia have reported 44 “serious” leaks at wellsites over the past year, according to publicly available BC Energy Regulator records. 

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Communications

Mascon By Telus Cuts Off Some Cortes Customers, CityWest Update

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Mascon by TELUS informed at least 10 Cortes Island residents that their internet service will be terminated on June 2, 2025.

A dozen people were chatting about it on the Cortes Island Is Home Facebook page, where one typed a message to Regional Director Mark Vonesch, “The SRD was part of the whole CityWest to insure all communities were connected? Most of us do not have access to CityWest yet and now we are losing access to our only other option.” 

Nancy Kendel posted a comment on the Tideline, “A LOT OF GOVERNMENT MONEY was given to the Connected Coast Partnership of CityWest and the Strathcona Regional District, but THE JOB IS NOT FINISHED! When will Cortes Island be connected?” 

She also emailed Cortes Currents, which is what led to this story. 

Continue reading Mascon By Telus Cuts Off Some Cortes Customers, CityWest Update →