Rail

With confirmation of a steady increase in domestic crude oil landing in West Coast refineries via rail transport (see Shale Daily, June 10), the corresponding increase in rail oil terminal projects in the region is not surprising, although the buildout so far is concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, according to the California Energy Commission's (CEC) senior oil analyst.

A group of U.S. Senate Democrats have introduced a bill that would accelerate the phase-out of older rail cars that transport crude oil by incentivizing the process with a tax credit for companies that make upgrades.

A group of U.S. Senate Democrats have introduced a bill that would accelerate the phase-out of older rail cars that transport crude oil by incentivizing the process with a tax credit for companies that make upgrades.

The transportation of more crude oil by rail nationwide continues to draw attention, which likely will continue, according to both the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and North Dakota legislators.

The transportation of more crude oil by rail nationwide continues to draw attention, which likely will continue, according to both…

With another major derailment of crude oil bearing railroad cars last month in Illinois (see Shale Daily,March 6), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on Friday issued an emergency order requiring crude and other flammable liquids hauling trains to slow down when passing through urban areas, along with other safety measures.

With another major derailment of crude oil bearing railroad cars last month in Illinois, the U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday issued an emergency order requiring crude and other flammable liquids hauling trains to slow down when passing through urban areas, along with other safety measures.

While regulators and lawmakers wrangle with safety standards for shipping crude oil by rail, interest is growing in shipping liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail as well.

Crude oil shipments by railroads are expected to peak at about 1.5 million b/d in 2015-2016 and remain an important part of the transportation options for years to come, according to a report by IHS Energy, “Crude by Rail: The New Logistics of Tight Oil and Oil Sands Growth.”