Tight oil fuels North American rail resurgence
The train network is rapidly becoming integral to energy transport in the US, a role that could aid the rise of unconventionals
North America’s railways, once considered a relic of the continent’s industrial past, are now an essential element of the US tight oil boom. Shipments of oil by rail tripled to 234,000 carloads in 2012, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR), driven by high levels of drilling activity in states such as North Dakota. Loadings increased by 60% in the first quarter of 2013, compared to an 8% drop for coal. To the end of March, 174,613 carloads of crude oil and petroleum products were carried by rail in the US. Each car holds 700 barrels, giving a total of 122 million barrels transported by rail in the first 12 weeks of the year, or more than 500,000 barrels a day (b/d). Though

Also in this section
29 July 2025
The EU’s Russia sanctions could have far-reaching implications for India’s Vadinar-based refinery
29 July 2025
There is a good strategic case for China to sign a deal for gas supplies via the proposed Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, but Beijing’s concerns over over-dependency on a single supplier and desire to drive down the price make it relatively unlikely that a contract will be finalised this year.
29 July 2025
EU industry and politicians are pushing back against the bloc’s green agenda. Meanwhile, Brussels’ transatlantic trade deal with Washington could consolidate US energy dominance.
25 July 2025
KRG, Iraq’s central government and Turkey are all working to get exports flowing from the key port, but complications remain