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Oil-by-rail gaining steam in Wyoming, nationwide

TRIB.COM -- Crude oil isn’t an especially popular rail commodity in Wyoming, but it could be soon.
At least two Wyoming terminals devoted specifically to loading crude from pipelines and trucks into railcars for shipping have been announced in the Cowboy State since late January, and more announcements are expected. Each facility would mean dozens of new jobs and millions of barrels of crude-oil storage capacity added to existing rail hubs around the state.
Crude oil is most often moved via pipeline — about 90 percent of the time, according to the EIA — but oil producers in areas like North Dakota’s Bakken shale play have relied on rail where pipe capacity isn’t available. Wyoming rail terminal developers praised rail shipping in interviews, saying it’s also far more flexible than pipe.

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Submitted Feb 11, 2013 By: bar1035

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HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:9,509 Points:3,075,770 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 10:22:31 AM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse Necessity is the Mother of invention. At some point, though, pipelines will need to be built. All we're doing here is postponing the inevitable.
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:6,748 Points:1,861,325 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 2:32:49 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse GOOD PLAN !!!
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,062 Points:794,225 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 10:36:21 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse If this is the only way.......then do it.
sailorjupoak Rookie Author Fargo Posts:77 Points:29,745 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 9:27:15 PM Ignore sailorjupoak Report Abuse Almost every train I see here in ND has a few tanker cars full of oil. Get to is Wyoming!
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,966 Points:1,776,755 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 7:07:13 PM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse With a route to ship the oil, railroad in this case, then it should be put into use. That way, there is no need too just keep on waiting and letting time fly by with the agruements of stalling of a pipeline.
weenerdog Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,446 Points:1,881,965 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 7:01:32 PM Ignore weenerdog Report Abuse go for it
tidalwave3 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:1,294 Points:1,460,075 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 6:35:27 PM Ignore tidalwave3 Report Abuse whatever it takes
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,536 Points:1,169,685 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:46:14 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Lots of oil can be transported by rail, and there is no need to take additional land and incur construction costs for a pipeline.
MrBocho Rookie Author Los Angeles Posts:39 Points:129,460 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:33:34 PM Ignore MrBocho Report Abuse Yep
FortVancouver01 Champion Author Washington Posts:1,160 Points:284,495 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:31:24 PM Ignore FortVancouver01 Report Abuse A good alternative.
CCLighthouse All-Star Author Hartford Posts:988 Points:210,005 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:27:36 PM Ignore CCLighthouse Report Abuse It has to be cheaper to run the oil through pipes. No rail maintenance, etc.
The_DR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,765 Points:581,165 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:25:44 PM Ignore The_DR Report Abuse Fine by me
hcivic Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,834 Points:2,261,715 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:25:19 PM Ignore hcivic Report Abuse good
ericbcire Champion Author Nevada Posts:4,505 Points:1,263,710 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:24:51 PM Ignore ericbcire Report Abuse Good for them.
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,098 Points:820,470 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:24:50 PM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse When articles like this are posted, it becomes necessary to remind people of what is wrong with relying on rail for transporting oil. Rail is a fair short-term solution for transporting oil, but it should never be a long-term solution. Pipelines are the best method and should be the long-term solution. A network of pipelines already exist, and it is just a matter building other pipelines to connect to them. The major reason opponents have against the Keystone XL is the potential for oil spills. But statistically, rail is a more dangerous method of transport for oil. It is also costlier and less efficient. Too much energy is used to move oil by rail compared to pipelines, and the higher cost is also passed on to the consumer. There is also the union factor which can hold us all hostage to their demands for transporting by rail, thereby driving up the cost of oil/gasoline while the rail unions go on strike. America has 175,000 miles of onshore and offshore oil pipelines, and 321,000 miles of natural gas transmission and gathering pipelines. Gathering pipelines bring raw natural gas from the wellhead to the gas processing plant. In addition, there are more than 2 million miles of natural gas distribution pipelines sending gas to businesses and consumers. About 71 percent of national crude oil and petroleum products are shipped by pipeline — 882 billion ton-miles in one recent year, according to the DOT. Tanker and barge traffic accounts for 22 percent, road accounts for 4 percent, and rail accounts for 3 percent. Most applicable to this story, it should be especially noted that over a recent four-year period, rail had the HIGHEST rate of environmental incidents -- 651 per billion ton-miles per year. Incidents include not only explosions or fires but also the release of five gallons or more of a hazardous liquid. Road had 20 reported incidents per billion ton-miles per year, while natural gas pipelines had only 0.89 incidents per billion ton-miles per year and oil pipelines had just 0.61. Pipelines were also responsible for fewer fatalities and injuries — 2.4 fatalities and four injuries per year for oil lines, and one fatality and 6.2 injuries for gas lines. Road transport of oil and gas averaged 10.2 fatalities and 21.8 injuries per year, and rail averaged 2.4 deaths and 25.6 injuries. It also should be noted that in December 2011, a national railroad strike was averted. It took more than a year to reach agreements with 12 of the 13 unions involved. The last union did not reach agreement until two months later. Warren Buffet's BNSF was one of the railroads it affected. Another potential strike sometime in the near future is certainly more likely with 40 percent of North Dakota's crude oil transport at risk from a strike as well as oil from states like Wyoming and others who are heavily relying on rail. How many of anti-pipeline/pro-railroad people on this website will be whining about the spike in oil and gasoline prices when there is another threat of strike from the many railroad unions? After the next major rail incident that involves crude oil, will these same people also acknowledge that we should have built more pipelines instead of relying too much on rail? More than likely they will blame "Big Oil" and Republicans as usual instead of correctly placing the blame on striking unions and on those who held up approval of pipelines that could have prevented the price spike or environmental incident.
BossPal All-Star Author Illinois Posts:527 Points:236,710 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:24:28 PM Ignore BossPal Report Abuse Ok
vrossi46 Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,657 Points:801,895 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:23:47 PM Ignore vrossi46 Report Abuse what ever works
g747 Champion Author Mobile Posts:4,521 Points:929,670 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:23:28 PM Ignore g747 Report Abuse That should drive our prices down.Americans continue to conserve!!!!!!!!!.
Mr.Dirt Champion Author Albany Posts:8,351 Points:2,508,625 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:22:16 PM Ignore Mr.Dirt Report Abuse what ever works do it
Paw5X Champion Author Gary Posts:9,888 Points:2,264,505 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:20:10 PM Ignore Paw5X Report Abuse Something needs to be done. Gas prices are alst $4.00 a gallon again!
racerdj Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:9,800 Points:2,053,650 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:19:14 PM Ignore racerdj Report Abuse Approve the pipeline!
btex49 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,705 Points:528,155 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:16:33 PM Ignore btex49 Report Abuse Long live trains!
FogCitySpotter Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,473 Points:519,250 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:15:32 PM Ignore FogCitySpotter Report Abuse There is a bit of irony to the story.
TheSnowstorm Champion Author Montreal Posts:8,609 Points:1,910,980 Joined:June 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:15:00 PM Ignore TheSnowstorm Report Abuse There is no pleasing everyone. Pipelines leaking, train derailments. Maybe we should all just move into caves.
FortVancouver01 Champion Author Washington Posts:1,160 Points:284,495 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:11:13 PM Ignore FortVancouver01 Report Abuse Oil by steam...I love it.. :). Anyway developing alternatives is good for both countries and best for our collective national security.
bearzz Champion Author California Posts:1,412 Points:415,670 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:11:01 PM Ignore bearzz Report Abuse Hmmmm
OU8121959 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,698 Points:530,035 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:09:02 PM Ignore OU8121959 Report Abuse okay
munch252 Veteran Author Cleveland Posts:282 Points:135,985 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:06:32 PM Ignore munch252 Report Abuse aye
fcdriver Champion Author Tennessee Posts:7,228 Points:1,469,830 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 5:03:22 PM Ignore fcdriver Report Abuse just keep it safe and efficient
PnnyPnchr Champion Author Toronto Posts:16,568 Points:2,587,730 Joined:Dec 2002	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:59:47 PM Ignore PnnyPnchr Report Abuse Great until there is a major railway accident. Then they will clamour for a pipeline.
DancingDee Champion Author Gary Posts:4,375 Points:1,055,110 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:59:27 PM Ignore DancingDee Report Abuse That's nice.
MaxGasUp All-Star Author Maryland Posts:765 Points:226,665 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:59:09 PM Ignore MaxGasUp Report Abuse Flexibility is good.
borodin Veteran Author Montreal Posts:407 Points:32,635 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:56:17 PM Ignore borodin Report Abuse Great
DirtDauber Champion Author San Antonio Posts:6,766 Points:1,624,535 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:53:31 PM Ignore DirtDauber Report Abuse Distribution seems to be a major hindrance.
mikaye Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,814 Points:861,410 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:52:41 PM Ignore mikaye Report Abuse whatever works
cutter1330 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:8,020 Points:1,690,440 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:48:45 PM Ignore cutter1330 Report Abuse Didn't know we had steam engines on the rails these days. I thought pipelines had pumps, which use fuel or energy of of some kind. No wait on my globe it looks like it might just run down hill!!
unloquacious Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,668 Points:1,036,415 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:48:02 PM Ignore unloquacious Report Abuse dozens of jobs = good.
mycar2 Champion Author Akron Posts:2,090 Points:2,354,115 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:47:46 PM Ignore mycar2 Report Abuse just keep it safe,
Voltus Champion Author Miami Posts:8,441 Points:1,553,350 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:43:45 PM Ignore Voltus Report Abuse oil-by-train gaining STUPIDITY nationwide... morons, pipelines are the way to go (trains burn fuel to transport fuel)
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:6,844 Points:1,353,825 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:43:23 PM Ignore comprof Report Abuse And Soros gets his payback.
Kato51 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,245 Points:2,160,765 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:42:49 PM Ignore Kato51 Report Abuse Looks like a sound decesion to me. Go WY.
fatboy97 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,469 Points:1,704,550 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:41:37 PM Ignore fatboy97 Report Abuse A lot to say, and still not to the point in the first paragraph... when will these writers learn how to write???
3mta3 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:825 Points:1,000,790 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:33:40 PM Ignore 3mta3 Report Abuse This is safer/more economical than pipeline?
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,027 Points:1,099,605 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:32:47 PM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse Shipping oil via rail certainly does not make any sense.
DeHavilland Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,855 Points:1,900,240 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:31:54 PM Ignore DeHavilland Report Abuse Whatever works.
Caribou2011 Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,746 Points:764,835 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:31:09 PM Ignore Caribou2011 Report Abuse Expect Obama to be against this unless it will create more government jobs.
tz2001 Veteran Author Virginia Posts:268 Points:318,805 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:28:23 PM Ignore tz2001 Report Abuse Expect Obama's EPA to regulate the rail transport to the point of making it cost prohibitive. Libs hate fossil fuels.
BBHybrid Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,465 Points:1,294,070 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:22:21 PM Ignore BBHybrid Report Abuse keep our oil no exports
fire@53 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:11,813 Points:2,766,050 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:20:17 PM Ignore fire@53 Report Abuse If pipelines are not available why not using rail?
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,354 Points:3,447,640 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 4:19:55 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse rockefeller and vanderbilt would be so proud