U.S. Department of Energy says that Bakken crude is no more volatile than other types of oil

The project will provide a direct link for oil from Utah to the Gulf Coast.

David C. Lester

The Department of Energy submitted a report to Congress on Tuesday that concluded, essentially, that Bakken crude oil is not any more volatile than other types of oil. The study was done by Sandia National Laboratories, and commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy (Office of Fossil Energy), the U.S. Department of Transportation (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration), and Transport Canada (Transport of Dangerous Goods Directorate).

According to the report, the series of crude oil train derailments in 2013-2014 prompted these agencies to commission the study. Of course, there have been several significant crude oil train derailments since then.

The conclusion of the study reads as follows: “Based on the results of the Study, which assessed vapor pressure as it affects the thermal hazards from the combusion events studied; the Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation find that no further regulations by the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of Energy or further legislation is necessary to improve the safe transport of crude oil with specific regard to vapor pressure.”

You access the Department of Energy’s Crude Oil Characterization Research Study (full report) online.

Source: Department of Energy

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