Crude by rail key to rapid oil production, petroleum consultant says

Strategic refinery modifications, pipeline additions and a continued explosion of crude by rail will be key to keeping up with rapid crude oil and natural gas production growth in the United States, according to a new report released by Turner, Mason & Co. (TM&C).

Titled, "North American Crude & Condensate Outlook: 2013-2022," the report states that while the outcome of several key pipeline projects remain uncertain, "where there's a rail, there's a way," TM&C officials said in a press release.

The report assesses regional impacts using refinery modeling based on individual facility capabilities and yields for six separate crude categories, and provides forecasts for production and required logistics expansions. The report also identifies a system-wide re-balancing that needs to take place, as well as industry challenges and potential bottlenecks.

"The challenges and opportunities being faced by the oil industry are the most significant since decontrol in the early 1980s," said TM&C President Mike Leger in a press release.
 
TM&C provides management and engineering consulting services for the petroleum and petrochemical industries.