Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) Onshore and Offshore Facilities. Source: www.loopllc.com
TRANS MOUNTAIN EXPANSION CAN'T LOAD VLCCs IN VANCOUVER
—AND CANADA FALLS BEHIND
Mike Priaro, P.Eng.
First uploaded February 14, 2018
The largest oil import terminal in the U.S., the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), is testing a very large crude carrier (VLCC) to load an export cargo for the first time. If the trial run is successful, the U.S. will achieve a major increase in its capacity to export its increasing shale oil production that’s roiling global markets.
The ability to load VLCCs that carry 2,000,000 barrels significantly cuts the cost of shipping oil overseas.
Unfortunately, the Second Narrows between KInder Morgan's Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby and Vancouver harbour limits tankers to about 500,000 barrels.
So why are Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley so desperate to building an uncompetitive oil pipeline—the Trans Mountain expansion?
And why is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau so intent on his Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which would ban loading large oil tankers off B.C.s north coast—but nowhere else?
We could load 2,000,000 barrel VLCCs at harbours in the Prince Rupert area from an oil pipeline in a sustainable Eagle Spirit multi-pipeline, multi-energy corridor—and be far closer to Southeast Asia markets than the Americans for both oil and LNG.
Of course, had Prime Minister Justin Trudeau not scuttled Energy East, 2,000,000 barrel VLCCs could have been loaded at the Canso Superport with an extension of Energy East.
Justin Trudeau’s incompetence, ignorance, and inconsistency on national energy matters is mind-boggling to the point of nausea.
Mike Priaro, P.Eng.
Calgary
403-281-2156
