Enbridge has had its challenges garnering support from First Nations affected by the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline, so other companies are learning from it. Pacific Future Energy Corp. has designs to build what it calls the world’s greenest refinery on British Columbia’s coast. The company’s Executive Chairman, Samer Salameh says “our pre-feasibility study has begun, […]
Study suggests Canadian experience with fracking unlikely to mirror those in the US
Nova Scotia, a province with budget problems, is under some pressure to forge ahead with its unconventional oil and gas resources. Before that happens a study was called for to determine the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing. Social ecologist Shawn Dalton, who headed up the study, says because using fracking only became financially viable about […]
Encana unloads Bighorn natural gas properties
Encana has lightened it’s company properties and fattened it’s cash assets. The Calgary based company has sold off Bighorn natural gas properties. Jupiter Resources shelled out $1.8-billion for the company. CEO and president Doug Suttles says “this transaction advances our strategy by unlocking value from our portfolio as we focus on developing our core growth […]
BP claims it paid out too much for the Gulf oil spill damages
BP is asking a US court to help retrieve hundreds of millions of dollars the oil giant claims to have overpaid for damages caused as a result of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill four years ago. A month ago BP was successful in obtaining a court order which revised the way losses due to […]
Mexican Shale Plays Hampered by Drug Cartels
It’s tough enough getting shale gas out of the ground, having bullets whiz past your head is making it almost impossible in Northern Mexico. Drug traffickers and thieves engage in running battles with soldiers along the countries Texas border. One of the more recent incidents saw about three dozen workers with Weatherford International (WFT) looking […]
Due diligence required
All training programs are not created equal. You wouldn’t want a piece of equipment on your rig that isn’t certified safe, it`s important your employees have the proper credentials as well. The problem is not all companies that offer safety programs are accredited. Before signing on with a safety program insist on seeing its Certificate […]
Alberta Energy Regulator marks first year with a new three year plan
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) which oversees the provinces oil and gas sector, is looking for ways to become more efficient. The AER handles responsibilities handled previously by the Energy Resources Conservation Board, public lands regulations and the Water Act and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. Later this year it will also include the branch […]
Safety first
It’s a plan that just makes sense. You wouldn’t want equipment on rigs that isn’t up to safety standards, so why would you want people who aren’t properly prepared to go to work. The International Association of Drilling Contractors has launched its Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) Competencies Program. The plan is to help ensure […]
Nabors and C&J Energy Services teaming up
Nabors completion and production services businesses will be teamed with C&J Energy Services in a deal worth close to $3-billion dollars. C&J Energy Services Chairman and CEO, Josh Comstock says, “The combined company will possess greatly increased capacity for our best-in-class hydraulic fracturing, coiled tubing and wireline offerings, and introduce cementing to our suite of […]
Fears an increase in oil tanker traffic in BC poses risks to wildlife
With the possibility of more oil tanker traffic along the BC coast, the State of Washington commissioned a study to consider the damage a spill could cause to the environment. The state’s Ecology Department returned with a report suggesting wildlife, sea otters in particular, would be at great risk. “The relative risk of an oil […]