Humbled and Honoured

This month, Alberta Venture came out with Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People of 2011 list and I was truly honoured to be selected as one of the recipients. In the past, this list has included prominent Albertans including Premier Ed Stelmach, Ron Liepert and OSDG’s current Executive Director, Ken Chapman. This year is no different with people such as Stephen Harper, Patrick Daniel and Elizabeth Cannon. The list is quite diverse with individuals of every age and from various sectors and industries all with one commonality; making Alberta a great place to call home.   

My life in Alberta has provided me with many opportunities to benefit this province as well as an industry that I so strongly believe in. The article went as far as to title me an Oil Sands Evangelist as I spend my time “criss-crossing the continent in an effort to spread affection [for the oil sands]”. I have not found it difficult at all to get involved with, and promote, an industry that benefits so many. I consider my time well spent and a contribution to my own personal growth.

I am very appreciative of this acknowledgement and I’m humbled to be named among the group that was chosen.

Still Going Strong

I often refer to the results of The Energy Resources Conservation Board’s (ERCB) findings in my presentations and I was happy to see this year that the results highlighted another solid year and a bright future for our industry. The report, Alberta’s Reserves 2010 and Supply/Demand Outlook 2011-2020, showed over 2,300 successful oil wells were drilled in 2010 – more than double from 2009. Furthermore, according to the report, the total amount of oil sands produced represents an 8 per cent increase since 2009 with 589 million barrels being the 2010 yearly total (i.e., on average, 1.61 MBbl/d).

These are great numbers. This means that our industry is continuing to deliver economic benefits for the province and across the country. And, the expectation is that these numbers will just continue to grow. The ERCB forecasts a total of 1.3 billion barrels per year (i.e., on average, 3.56 MBbl/d) by 2020. The results underline the need for our resource to meet growing energy demands. Since 1967 when the industry began, Alberta has produced 7.5 billion barrels of raw crude bitumen from the oil sands and crude oil production has produced 16 billion barrels. I know that our industry will continue to play a key role as an economic driver through the development of this great resource.

For more information on the report and other highlights, please visit www.ercb.ca.

Exciting News for the Oil Sands Developers Group

June 1^st will be an exciting day at the Oil Sands Developers Group … this is the day we officially welcome our new executive director, Ken Chapman. After an extensive search, Ken joins us with a versatile background in public policy, facilitation and consultation.

Ken’s extensive experience as a lawyer, a consummate political analyst and social justice advocate has allowed him to contribute to building thriving communities across Canada. We are thrilled that he will be working out of the OSDG office in Fort McMurray to help build a flourishing oil sands community – for the people who live, work and play in Wood Buffalo.

His primary focus will be facilitating collaboration between OSDG and our key stakeholders in the region.

I’m looking forward to getting to know him while we continue finding solutions to the issues surrounding oil sands development.

Please join me in welcoming Ken!

New Numbers Backing Positive Economic Impacts

As my readers know, I’ve been on the road for the past three years promoting an industry that I am passionate about because it benefits so many. A topic I am sure to highlight during my speaking tour is the positive economic impacts of the oil sands industry.

I’m pleased to tell you the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) released a report on May 16, showing oil sands production ramping up from the current 1.7 million bpd to 2.1 million bpd by 2015, 4.8 million by 2030 and 4.9 million by 2035. What does this mean? More money, more jobs, more contribution to the GDP than even the large contributions previously forecast. All of this is great news.

CERI’s report has two main themes: the impact of oil sands development on Canadian provincial and national economies and the ripple effects on U.S. state and federal economies.

Over the next 25 years, $2.077 trillion will be invested in building and maintaining the oil sands. That includes $253 billion in initial capital for construction and $1.8 trillion for operation, maintenance and sustaining capital.

In terms of jobs, the oil sands currently support 75,000 jobs in Canada with this growing to over 900,000 in 2035. Do the math. That’s 825,000 more jobs (both directly and indirectly related to oil sands); 825,000 people with work, and there is nothing that gives an individual more dignity and self-respect than a job.

It may also surprise you that our friends to the south actually receive the second largest economic impact from Alberta’s oil sands after the province itself. In the United States, new jobs are expected to leap from 21,000 in 2010 to 465,000 by 2035. 

Over this 25-year period, the total GDP impact as a result of new oil sands projects is estimated to be $2.1 trillion for Canada, and $521 billion for the U.S.

These are remarkable numbers. This is why I am proud to be a part of Canada’s dynamic oil sands industry; an industry that’s delivering large-scale economic growth while providing reliable, affordable energy to North American businesses and families alike. I know that our industry will continue to play a major role in providing economic stability through responsible development of Canada’s greatest resource.

If you have any comments, please be sure to leave them for me. And, if you want to see the full CERI report (a long but informative read), you can do so here.

The TEAM Principle - Podcast 3

In the third edition of the “Setting the Record Straight” podcast, I’m pleased to discuss cooperation among oil sands organizations.

 This is an important subject because unlike most competitive industries, producers in the region are highly aware that working together on non-competitive matters is an advantage. My members understand cooperation benefits the environment, the people of the region and the industry.

 To hear more about how we are working together, please in tune in. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please direct them to info@oilsandsdevelopers.ca or leave a comment below.

 Thanks again for listening.

Listen to the Podcast