The Keystone XL pipeline is proposed to transport crude oil from Alberta, Canada to the United States. It would extend an existing pipeline system to increase oil transport capacity. Supporters argue it will increase energy security and jobs while being safe, but opponents are concerned about its environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. The pipeline requires presidential approval to cross the US-Canada border and is currently undergoing additional environmental review.

1. Keystone XL
A Pipeline for the Future
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2. The XL Pipeline
• Owner: TransCanada
• Purpose: Transport synthetic crude oil and diluted bitumen from Athabasca Oil Sands in NE Alberta, Canada to multiple
destinations
– Refineries in Illinois
– Cushing Oil Distribution Hub in Oklahoma
– Refineries along the Gulf Coast of Texas
• Description:
– The original Keystone Pipeline System has been operation since 2010. It is a 3,461-km (2,151-mi) pipeline delivering crude oil from
Canada to the U.S. Midwest as well as Cushing, Oklahoma.
– The Gulf Coast Project began construction in November 2012.
– The Keystone XL extension was proposed in 2008. The 1,897-km (1,179-mile) pipeline will extend from Hardisty, Alberta to Steele
City, Nebraska. Originally, the necessary permit was declined; TransCanada reapplied and is waiting on decision.
• Benefit: The completion of the Keystone XL Extension will introduce an additional 510,000 barrels per day. The
construction of the project would generate thousands of jobs in the United States.
Information from Wikipedia & TransCanada
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3. Awaiting Approval
The Keystone XL Extension was delayed in November 2011 “to seek additional
information regarding potential alternative routes around the Sand Hills in
Nebraska to inform the determination regarding whether issuing a permit for the
proposed Keystone XL pipeline is in the national interest” (Reuters)
TransCanada reapplied for a Presidential Permit and expects approval in the 1st
quarter of 2013
Meanwhile, construction on the Gulf Coast Project, the southern section of the
Keystone Pipeline, began in November (NewsOK)
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4. GAS Unlimited Inc
CONCERNS?
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5. Research gathered by the Congressional Research Service determined “that oil from
the sands produces 14 to 20 percent more planet-warming gases than the average
oil in U.S. refineries does.” Star Tribune
As highlighted in the Houston Press, those opposed to the pipeline are concerned
about the consistency of the bitumen, natural gas condensate (synthetic crude) mix
that will pass through the 1,700 mile pipeline at “pressures up to 1,300 pounds per
square inch and temperatures as high as 150 degrees.” Houston Press
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6. The figures related “planet-warming gases” are disputed. Moreover, if the
pipeline is rejected, the oil will most likely be sold to Asian markets, and
those countries typically have far less environmental regulations than the
United States. (Washington Times)
The Keystone XL Pipeline will be delivering Canadian crudes, which have
been transported to the United States for years. (Human Events)
The pipeline has 4 years worth of environmental review and includes 57
special conditions translating to a pipeline with an “overwhelming degree
of safety inherent in its engineering.” (Human Events)
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7. GAS Unlimited Inc
WHY THE KEYSTONE XL
PIPELINE?
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8. Pipeline to Oil Dominance
The IEA announced the United States has the potential to be the top oil producer –
surpassing Saudi Arabia – by 2020. Energy independence is expected to follow by
2035.
Increased drilling requires an improved infrastructure; “the increased production
must be complemented with new pipeline infrastructure…to transport the crude
oil” (Hispanic Business)
The pipeline is important to oil hubs currently “overrun” by booming production or
generally lacking the pipeline system necessary to compete in today’s market. The
Keystone XL Pipeline will complete a network of pipes vital to transporting oil
where it is needed. (State Impact)
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9. Developing Regulation for Growth
The United States currently has access to “a tremendous opportunity to become energy independent as
long as we have a reasonable regulatory environment”(Hispanic Business).
The United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters sees the projects as a way to secure safe energy and
jobs throughout the United States.
“Not only is the Keystone designed to exceed the highest environment and engineering standards in the industry, the
project will be built by workers who are trained to the highest skill and safety standards in the world.” Sacbee
In November of 2011, President Obama denied a permit to build the Keystone XL Pipeline because “the
route through Nebraska needed more environmental review.” Star Tribune
This argument has been addressed and “the line has been rerouted so that it no longer runs through the Nebraska
Sandhills aquifer” (Sacbee) supporters continue to vocalize that “this will be the safest pipeline ever built and its route
has been revised to reflect environmental concerns.” (SFGate)
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10. GAS Unlimited Inc
XL: WHAT’S NEXT?
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11. Recent News
Nebraska’s environment agency completed its review of the proposed re-
route of the Keystone XL. The agency found that the new route does avoid
“sensitive regions that have been a source of concern” (NASDAQ)
Since the pipeline will cross the Canadian-US border, the U.S. State
Department is conducting its own review, which is expected to be released
in the near future.
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12. Keystone’s Future
• To keep up-to-date on the progress of the Keystone Pipeline, like G.A.S.
Unlimited on LinkedIn
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13. GAS Unlimited Inc
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Sugar Land, Texas 77479
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