Here is part two in a letter writing debate that occurred in the Baltimore Sun. The topic is fracking. It’s a process used in the oil and gas industry to extract the resources from hard to get to places. The industry touts its benefits and those against it are afraid of it’s negative effects. Unless […]
Comment: Fracking debate – for it
The fracking debate is being waged all over North America. The oil industry loves using the process to extract hard to get to oil. Those against it are afraid fracking is responsible for using too much water, for contaminating ground water and for causing earthquakes. This is the first of two letters to the Baltimore […]
Comment: Let’s make a deal
Few debates in energy have been more contentious than Keystone XL (KXL) pipeline. Environmental groups opposed the pipeline and turned out a grass roots movement that astonished even battle weary Enviros. It also caused serious problems for the industry as their assets became stranded and they were forced to ship crude by rail and barge. […]
2015 a “Perfect Storm” for oil industry
Consider the challenges facing the oil industry this year – rock bottom prices, drought (water shortages), greenhouse gas legislation, new rules regarding First Nations and the stalling of major pipelines – Keystone XL, Northern Gateway to name just two. This was the comment Bryan Helfenbaum started of the session he was moderating at the World […]
Emerging heavy oil players from a conventional source
When it comes to petroleum production both Oman and Kuwait’s GDP sits around 50%. Production costs are low and reserves are plentiful. Now both countries are looking to expand their operations from conventional oil to heavy. Leading the way is Oman. Eng. Ali Al Gheity with Petroleum Development Oman says “the luxury this country has […]
Latin America looks to entice foreign investment in oil industry
“The first lesson in doing business in Latin America”, says SNC Lavelin VP., David Parker, “is to understand the region and its people are not uniformed and homogeneous. The countries have different risks and rewards.” Latin America is rich in petroleum reserves with some of the largest deposits in the world. To extract the riches, […]
Alberta Premier challenged but not deterred
Alberta Premier Jim Prentice told a crowd made up of representatives from the oil industry there are challenges being the largest land locked oil producer in the world, but he has a plan. Prentice was a keynote speaker at the World Heavy Oil Congress taking place in Edmonton, Alberta. Climate change and the environment are […]
Oil price downturn has potential to bring out best in the industry
The plunging price of a barrel of oil has the industry in North America and other parts of the world scrambling to cover costs. At the World Heavy Oil Congress now underway in Edmonton, Alberta, those in attendance heard from ARC Financial Corp’s VP, Jackie Forrest that companies “are at the threshold or below where they need […]
Edmonton company recognized for excellence in performance
Katch Kan has joined a select group of companies recognized for their contributions to the petroleum industry. The 2015 Gulf Coast Oil & Gas Awards have been handed out in Houston, Texas. The winner in the Excellence in Health and Safety Award is Katch Kan. Judges comments include: “Katch Kan has attempted to develop creative and cost […]
Comment: Maude Barlow on pipelines
Your (Regina Leader-Post’s) editorial rightly highlights the danger of transporting oil by rail. But the Energy East pipeline – which would transport 1.1 million barrels of oil per day past the growing Harbour Landing subdivision – is not safer. According to U.S. data, rail incidents happened twice as often as pipeline spills from 2004 to […]