Trans Mountain preps long awaited first oil shipment to China on new pipeline

Canadians — Albertans, at least — had extra reason to celebrate the Victoria Day long weekend despite the rainy weather.That’s because the Dubai Angel quietly moored at Tran Mountain’s Westridge marine terminal in Burnaby on Monday to begin taking the first 550,000 barrels of Calgary-based Suncor Energy’s Access Western oil sands crude for delivery to China.‘Quietly’ because there were no ribbon cuttings or formal ceremonies to greet the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel despite the fact Canadian taxpayers have sunk nearly $35 billion — $850 for ever man woman and child in the the country — and 12 years to get to this stage..In fact, there wasn’t even a mention of it on the company’s website. Nor were there any statements from the Port of Vancouver or even the company itself.Earlier this month Suncor said it is leasing the Aframax vessels in the Pacific and selling directly to customers to cut out middlemen and maximize profits. The additional 600,000 barrels per day of capacity is expected to shrink discounts for land locked barrels shipped to the US Gulf Coast on overland pipelines, thereby increasing royalty revenues for the Alberta government..On Tuesday, Alberta’s signature Western Canadian Select was up USD89 cents — or 1.3% — to $67.69 a barrel even as global benchmarks West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and European Brent fell by a similar amount. According to Chicago-based Zack’s Investment Research, Trans Mountain is “{a pivotal development for Canada’s oil industry.” “It enhances the country’s ability to compete globally by securing new markets and optimizing the value of its natural resources. As the industry continues to evolve, the expanded pipeline stands as a testament to Canada’s commitment to maintaining its position as a leading oil producer on the world stage.”.Meanwhile, a report by the Macdonald Laurier Institute suggests the cost overruns and delays have cost Canadians about a quarter of the inherent economic value of the pipeline or nearly $11.6 billion.Still, it’s better late than never, the think tank concludes.“Imagine if that amount had gone towards funding healthcare, off-setting the expense of dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak or subsidizing the federal government’s ‘$10 a day’ national daycare program,” it said.“We have missed out on a lot, but now that the TMX is complete Canada is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities it provides.”.This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.