Bridgelall, RajLee, EunSuTalegani, Ali Rahim2017-11-302017-11-302016https://hdl.handle.net/10365/26899Raj Bridgelall is the program director for the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) Center for Surface Mobility Applications & Real-time Simulation environments (SMARTSeSM).This paper examines the logistics and distribution channels for importing heavy crude oil, which is a source of bitumen. The study conducts a sensitivity analysis to assess the suitability of existing or new distillery locations based on the available transportation modes and carrier options. The model accommodates rate changes based on multimodal shipping rates, import taxes, and other factors to assess the effects on total cost, schedule, and risks. Although a strategic location near direct pipeline options using existing facilities could yield the least transportation cost, the lack of pipeline capacity with increasing demand and delays in building additional capacity weighs heavily against pipeline options. The analysis points to multimodal shipments via ocean vessels and pipelines as the least-cost solution for a proposed strategic location for the distillery, but other factors such as strained international relationships make them less attractive. Depending on the selected refinery location, the analysis found that railroad options present a viable alternative and could potentially lead to the best overall logistical solution for obtaining asphalt production feedstock.en-USIn copyright. Permission to make this version available has been granted by the author and publisher.http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/Transportation.Business logistics.Asphalt.Bituminous materials.Article0000-0003-3743-6652