US rail regulators are finding that most shippers are properly classifying Bakken crude cargoes in accordance with hazardous materials rules, the head of the Federal Railroad Administration said. Still, “there are pockets of concern,” FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo said in an interview set to air Sunday on “Platts Energy Week,” and the agency intends to continue its “Bakken Blitz” surprise inspection campaign to ensure crude-by-rail shipments are delivered safely. “Obviously, any time you’re doing audits or inspections, you’re going to find things,” Szabo said. “This is just part of our comprehensive approach to making sure that we’re talking about the safe delivery of this product.” The FRA and the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration launched the “Bakken Blitz” last summer, making unannounced inspections on crude shipments to ascertain whether highly volatile shale oil is properly labeled on rail manifests and other required documents. The agencies have said shippers […]