First dreamt up more than 40 years ago as a way to bring the vast natural gas reserves of the Mackenzie River to North American homes, the Mackenzie Pipeline is one step closer to being realized today as a Joint Review panel established by the Canadian government 5 years ago gave its conditional support. Still to come is the final hurdle, a National Energy Board hearing to ultimately decide whether the project will go ahead.
What this means for the Energy Sands is a cheap, reliable and stable supply of natural gas piped directly to the mines. Ultimately this will lower the cost of natural gas for heavy oil producers and increase profitability.
Expect the NEB to rule favourably on the proposal sometime late in 2010, as the Canadian government is keen to begin developing the “True North” for reasons of economics and sovereignty.
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