The Keystone XL pipeline has been a controversial issue for years now. In July 2020, the Trump administration gave the go-ahead for the project to proceed. The pipeline is designed to transport crude oil from the tar sands of Alberta, Canada, to refineries in the United States. It has been estimated that the pipeline could move up to 830,000 barrels of crude oil per day, but will the Keystone XL pipeline capacity live up to its promise?
What is Keystone XL Pipeline?
The Keystone XL pipeline is a proposed 1,179-mile long pipeline that would transport crude oil from Canada’s Alberta province to refineries in the United States. The pipeline is a continuation of the existing Keystone pipeline, which currently transports crude oil from Alberta to refineries in Oklahoma and Texas. The Keystone XL pipeline would expand the pipeline’s capacity to 830,000 barrels of oil per day. The pipeline is owned and operated by TransCanada, a Canadian energy company.
What is the Future of Keystone XL Pipeline Capacity?
The future of Keystone XL pipeline capacity is uncertain. While the Trump administration has given the go-ahead for the project to proceed, there are still many regulatory steps that must be taken before the pipeline can be built. As of now, the pipeline is facing opposition from environmental groups, Native American tribes, and landowners along the proposed route. These groups have raised concerns about potential environmental impacts, as well as the potential for the pipeline to disrupt fragile ecosystems. Additionally, the Biden administration has indicated that it will review the pipeline’s permits, which could further delay or even cancel the project.
What Other Options Are Available?
In addition to the Keystone XL pipeline, there are other options available for meeting the increasing demand for oil. For example, Canada has the option to transport crude oil via rail or truck. Additionally, the Canadian government has recently approved the construction of two new pipelines that will transport crude oil from Alberta to the West Coast. These pipelines, which are expected to be completed by 2023, could potentially increase the capacity of oil transportation from Alberta.
Conclusion
The Keystone XL pipeline has been a controversial issue for years. The Trump administration has given the go-ahead for the project to proceed, but the future of Keystone XL pipeline capacity is still uncertain. Environmental groups, Native American tribes, and land owners have raised concerns about potential environmental impacts and disruption of fragile ecosystems. Additionally, the Biden administration has indicated that it will review the pipeline’s permits, which could further delay or even cancel the project. While the Keystone XL pipeline could potentially increase the capacity of oil transportation from Alberta, there are other options available, such as rail and truck transportation or the construction of two new pipelines. The future of Keystone XL pipeline capacity remains to be seen.