[IronJack]

Is there a reason why shipment on the Mississippi River is not being utilized?...........

Or the Great Lakes? The only ports I'm seeing are in Chicago and a couple on Lake Erie. I'm wondering why Duluth/Superior isn't a major hub, since its port is well known among Lake sailors, and it's relatively close to both the Canadian and North Dakota fields. Granted, winters can be daunting on Superior, but it would seem hard to beat for a fair-weather port.

[Red Badger]

Maybe they are afraid of another spill like Exxon-Valdez Alaska and the BP Gulf of Mexico...............

[thackney]

Or the Great Lakes?

One of the problems is the oil fields produce year round while shipping on the Great Lakes has to deal with being shut down for Ice.