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JVViews: June 2012 Issue


May Luncheon Summary

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eStudies and Web Based Learning

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May Luncheon Summary

Pipeline OnRail, Randy Meyer

Randy Meyer's presentation on May 17th provided great insight on the advantages of using rail transportation for the petroleum industry. The railway system provides low cost, low risk market access. CN Rail directly accesses all major Canadian oil producing regions. Their railway lines run from Prince Rupert to Halifax and all the way down to the Gulf Coast of Mexico. The railway system is not trying to replace pipeline, it is trying to be a complimentary service. CN Rail is trying to provide an alternate source or backup to pipelines. They believe that every company should have something with rails in their portfolio.

The railway system has many advantages; one being that it is accessible for all types of petroleum from sweet conventional to bitumen. It also provides services that match your companies growing needs. With rail, you buy what you need, therefore you are using actual production versus pipeline, where you buy what you think you will need. The capital expenditures are quite low using railway systems since the loading terminals and rail cars are already in place and it is up to the producer whether they want to use CN Rail's manifest service; which combines your production with others; or to use a unit train and have it all to yourself. Producers can buy or lease cars, or have a third party involved and have the producer pay a toll to use the car.

CN Rail works to transport specialized products such as oil sands and potash. They ship batches of specialized petroleum to keep the quality uniform, this way keeping the product pure. The railways system can transport potash from Prince Rupert to Chicago in 100 hours using a high-speed corridor. This helps to speed up the process of getting products to market. They can transport one tonne of freight 197 km on one litre of fuel. Therefore they decrease their GHG emissions to half that of pipeline. CN Rail is committed to servicing the oil sands industry as well. They are working to have their terminals up in 6-8 months. They have double walled cars with steam injection to keep the bitumen hot during the transportation process.

The railway system is not trying to replace pipelines; it is trying to provide an alternative method of transportation for the producers. CN Rail is committed to all types of producers and they try to keep the cost and risk low. Producers do not need to purchase cars; they can choose to pay a toll instead. Producers are only paying for actual production that is transported. There is no long-term risk associated with the railway system since producers do not need to sign a contract for their production. CN Rail helps transports petroleum across North America by providing an alternative to pipeline.



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Volunteers Required!

Analyst III Course Coordinator
A course coordinator for Analyst III is required. The course coordinator ensures that instructors and materials are organized for course start, and acts as a focal for any queries regarding course materials. Analyst III is offered once per year, and the time commitment is approximately 5 hours total, spread over several months. The course coordinator also participates in quarterly JV Certificate Program committee meetings.

The duties for course coordinator are as follows:
  • Maintain classroom materials database/files
  • Maintain contact lists for instructors
  • Meet with with JV Certificate Program Committee quarterly
  • Find out and meet any institutional deadlines (ie MRU printing, exam printing dates)
Find out more >>



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eStudies and Web Based Learning

Service Agreements have you stumped? Need to familiarize yourself with typical industry terms and conditions? Check out the Service Agreements course on PJVA eStudies! Discover the many model agreements available and learn how to use them.

Have an operations or accounting team that is working within a Service Agreement? Recommend this course!



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PJVA Membership

Membership renewals are now being accepted for the 2012-2013 year.

Complete the PJVA membership order form to renew today!



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PJVA LinkedIn® Group

PJVA is now on LinkedIn®, the world's largest professional network. It's a great way to stay connected and exchange ideas with other PJVA members and industry professionals.

Click here to join the discussion!




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PJVA was incorporated in 1985 to represent individuals and organizations involved in petroleum joint ventures. JVViews is published to keep members informed about upcoming PJVA and industry events, courses and seminars offered and/or sponsored by PJVA and current projects being facilitated by the Association.