Seeds of Resistance defend the land.

Points of Resistance

Understanding the process of how projects are both built and run can offer insight and inspiration for action, as well as help us pinpoint strategic actions – so in this section we lay it all out for you!

Petroleum

Oil is extracted from the tarsands, and upgraded for transportation through pipelines, or refined for their final destination. Pumping stations keep the product flowing through pipelines. Densitometer stations send back flow rates and viscosity. Bulk oil can be stored in tank farms, until it is refined further, or shipped by rail or truck. Valve stations contain valves that open or close the pipeline to isolate sections/stop flow. Junctions are facilities where other valves can be turned on or off to direct flow into certain facilities.

Project Construction

In brand new pipeline installation the basic construction steps are roughly the same.

• Environmental and Archaeological Assessments: Proposed right of way will be staked out with markers, and contractors will do assessments in chosen locations.
• Site prep: Clearing trees, vegetation and right of ways. Often happens in winter. There may be the stockpiling of wooden construction mats in temporary work areas to lay out at sites (needed so heavy equipment doesn’t sink in muddy fields)
• Grade and strip: Leveling of the right of way, stripping the topsoil and piling it aside.
• Stringing: Laying out new pipe segments in the right of way. Pipes are often trucked in and unloaded
• Welding: Joining each segment of pipe together
• Trench and lowering: Heavy equipment is brought in to dig the pipeline trench, as well as raise and lower the welded pipe into the trench.
• Backfilling: Filling trenches and replacing the topsoil.