(Source: Reuters, March 17, 2014)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bitumen from Canada’s oil-sands formations is free to ride in older rail cars under an amended set of rules issued by the US that also eased testing for oils that shippers are familiar with handling. The US Transportation Department clarified requirements for shipping oil by rail issued Feb. 25 after companies were found classifying crudes as less hazardous than they were. The updated order makes clear that the rules apply only to flammable “UN 1267” crudes and that shippers with “sufficient knowledge” of the oils they’re handling will not be required to test for corrosivity.
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