Id agree if we were talking about diluted bitumen but the undiluted 'neatbit' as they call it is incredibly safe to ship. If its sent that way by tanker as well its a win for everyone. China has lots of dilutent theres no need to ship it. I like win-win scenarios and this looks like one to me, and the info sources im using are from the industry not talking heads.
The part about carbon emissions isn't as clear - there was 1 study done at the U of A everyone keeps quoting, but that was for diluted bitumen, and the study didn't say pipelines were less carbon intensive in all situations, for short distances and smaller loads rail was more efficient. Trains shipping "neatbit" will be more 30% carbon efficient per unit of bitumen so in that case pipelines at best would be ~30% less carbon intensive than long rail distances.
Even if it is a little more carbon intensive to use rail, to not have the risk of a spill in a river or on the coast is well worth it don't you think?