Alberta Oilsands = Terrorist targets?

[Hemmer]

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Albe...93031-sun.html
Wed, May 7, 2008
Terrorist targets?
Oilsands ponds concern security expert
By GLENN KAUTH, SUN MEDIA

The oilsands tailings ponds that have been killing ducks are also a magnet for a massive terrorist attack, a Toronto-based security consultant is warning.
"We're basically a target for international terrorist groups. But because we provide most of the (United States') fuel, that makes us an even bigger concern," said Alan Bell of Globe Risk Holdings.
Bell, who was part of a group of consultants that prepared a report for the Alberta government on the terrorist threat, said a big worry is that attackers - using a plane, for example - could try to breach the dams that hold the toxic tailings, thus sending them into the nearby Athabasca River north of Fort McMurray.
"Look at what happened to the ducks that landed on them. Imagine if that went into the Athabasca River," he said.
Bell's other concern is that in his view, companies haven't done enough to prepare for an attack.

"As of 14 months ago, they didn't seem to be doing much about it," he said. "I'm expecting to wake up one morning, switch on the TV and see something's gone wrong up there."
Provincial officials, however, disagree.
Al Sauve, Alberta's chief sheriff, said the government rejected the consultants' report because many of its conclusions were based on speculation and not on facts.
But while he admits tailings ponds could attract terrorists' interest, Sauve is confident the oilsands companies are taking steps to protect their facilities.
"The government of Alberta believes that there are significant mitigating strategies in place to prevent that from happening," he said.

[burn_this_city]

I don't really buy the value of targeting the oilsands. The bulk of Islamic extremists want american interests out of the gulf. Wouldnt it be counter productive to force additional american reliance on arabian oil?

Also the remoteness of these operations would make staging an attack extremely difficult.

[burn_baby_burn]

I think Terrorists are looking for an immediate impact and shock value, for example the attacks on 9/11. Blowing up a tailings damn in the wilderness of northern Alberta will not create a whole lot of wide spread panic and chaos.

[Nufy]

Sounds like the guy is trying to drum up some business for himself.

Of course some speculators / traders will use this to bump the price of Oil another few bucks a barrel.

[Hemmer]

I too think it is hard for any terrorists to attack the oilsands with great widespread damage.

But at the same time, Canada was included on a list of potential terrorists attacks... and so far, I think we're the only nation on that list who hasn't been hit yet... so that makes me a bit worried. And if they were to attack Canada, what better target is there then Alberta at the moment?

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Hemmer

I too think it is hard for any terrorists to attack the oilsands with great widespread damage.

But at the same time, Canada was included on a list of potential terrorists attacks... and so far, I think we're the only nation on that list who hasn't been hit yet... so that makes me a bit worried. And if they were to attack Canada, what better target is there then Alberta at the moment?

The Alberta Oilpatch is simply not a good psychological target. I'd be more worried about the CN Tower, Parliament or some major event like the PNE or the Stampede. Their goal is to scare the West into abandoning the Middle East and Israel, not to play economics.

[Flames89]

I think it would be easier for Maritime QS to sneak into the centre of Islam than for a group of terrorists to make their way into rig-pig country...

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Hemmer

I too think it is hard for any terrorists to attack the oilsands with great widespread damage.

But at the same time, Canada was included on a list of potential terrorists attacks... and so far, I think we're the only nation on that list who hasn't been hit yet... so that makes me a bit worried. And if they were to attack Canada, what better target is there then Alberta at the moment?

Toronto.

Assuming the terrorist leaders are not idiots, which I doubt they are, they would probably be aware enough to realize that if killing people will cause Canada to bail from Afghanistan, that hitting where the political might is would be the better target - Ontario.

[macker]

Another jounalist trying to make a name for himself through fear mongering so if this ever does happen he can say that he called it.....

[llama64]

The oilsands are too big of a target to hit for Islamic terrorists. Especially with the US Presidential candidates spewing rhetoric about reducing the dependance on foreign oil.

However, I think we will see the rise of militant environmental terrorists in the next couple decades. The Oil Sands would be a fairly decent target for them.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by llama64

The oilsands are too big of a target to hit for Islamic terrorists. Especially with the US Presidential candidates spewing rhetoric about reducing the dependance on foreign oil.

However, I think we will see the rise of militant environmental terrorists in the next couple decades. The Oil Sands would be a fairly decent target for them.

Agreed... and I could see one of those buffoon groups being the ones to blow up one of those toxic dams and render the Athabasca River and its tributaries unusable for years.

[JD]

How does an oil company prevent a plane from crashing into a dam anyway? Build a giant transparent dome over it?

At some point you just have to take your chances.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by JD

How does an oil company prevent a plane from crashing into a dam anyway? Build a giant transparent dome over it?

At some point you just have to take your chances.

Put up anti-aircraft batteries all over the place.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Agreed... and I could see one of those buffoon groups being the ones to blow up one of those toxic dams and render the Athabasca River and its tributaries unusable for years.

Why would a group concerned about the environment blow up a toxic damn that could cause major harm to the surrounding environment?

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Why would a group concerned about the environment blow up a toxic damn that could cause major harm to the surrounding environment?

Two reasons:

1. To illustrate how evil the Oil companies are by showing the damage their exploitation can cause. That damage would probably ensure a moratorium too.

2. Ignorance.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Two reasons:

1. To illustrate how evil the Oil companies are by showing the damage their exploitation can cause. That damage would probably ensure a moratorium too.

2. Ignorance.

A moratorium on what though? People blowing up dams to try to illustrate a point?

I think that this is taking a huge leap...

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Hemmer

"We're basically a target for international terrorist groups. But because we provide most of the (United States') fuel, that makes us an even bigger concern," said Alan Bell of Globe Risk Holdings.

FALSE. While Canada is the United States' largest oil and petroleum trading partner we do not, by any stretch, provide them with the majority of their fuel.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Slava

A moratorium on what though? People blowing up dams to try to illustrate a point?

I think that this is taking a huge leap...

A moratorium on oilsands exploration, due to the fallout of that potential disaster. You can't think too rationally when dealing with irrational groups. It is a stretch though.... I was only half serious.

[macker]

Originally Posted by Reaper

FALSE. While Canada is the United States' largest oil and petroleum trading partner we do not, by any stretch, provide them with the majority of their fuel.

True. Last I heard we were up to about 10% just ahead of Saudi Arabia....

[macker]

Googled across this site :
http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/p...nt/import.html