Comments for Alberta Oil - Energy Sector Insight

Comment on Keystone decision wouldn’t affect TransCanada’s plans by Darren Campbell

Darren Campbell — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:29:51 +0000

Gord:

Thanks for the comment, although I’m very late replying. “Good” is stretching, but the decision isn’t the deathknell the headlines would have had us believe.

Comment on Alliance Pipeline and GE team up to green compressors by Kaedn

Kaedn — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:01:41 +0000

I actually found this more entertaining than James Joyce.

Comment on Keystone decision wouldn’t affect TransCanada’s plans by Gord Olson

Gord Olson — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:31:05 +0000

It actually is a good thing for TransCanada. They have been using the freed up Capex(7B$) budget to build Cogens that are burning cheap Natural Gas and are making big contributions to their bottom line selling electricity. Hence you do not see TransCanada making a big thing out of it. If the line does not go ahead in the future they will just make sure every new line they build will be 30″ and use up all the valves and pipe they have on the ground now.

Comment on Outgoing TransAlta boss Steve Snyder: CEO of the year by Lyle Urbanowski

Lyle Urbanowski — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:58:01 +0000

CEO of the year??? the head of a company that, under his watch, cost Alberta consumers an estimated 5.5 million dollars in inflated power rates. This crook and his company should be forced to repay the entire amount to consumers in addition to the pittance of a fine that they “negotiated”.

From the Calgary Herald: “TransAlta, which controls 16 per cent of Alberta’s commercial power, admitted to purposely blocking the import of cheaper hydroelectric power from British Columbia over 31 hours last November, creating an artificial shortage of electricity – and higher prices.”

Comment on Syncrude’s new boss finds his ‘dream job’ by JF Cricketeer

JF Cricketeer — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:59:22 +0000

No problem. I just wanted to put things into context. Too often, people who are against something fail to address the question “Compared to what?”.

Comment on What Opti Canada’s fall means for innovation by SAM Y

SAM Y — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:33:12 +0000

WE LOST IT ALL , THANKS CANADA

Comment on Ezra Levant throws down with Greenpeace and Saudi Arabia by Ali

Ali — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:30:15 +0000

Nice , oil discussion by a person who made money lobbying Tobacco companies . Thats one ethical person right there !

Comment on Will Chinese investment in the oil sands rattle Canadians? by Brad Arnold

Brad Arnold — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:46:05 +0000

The Chinese are going to lose their entire investment in oil sands because there is a new clean energy technology that is one tenth the cost of coal. LENR using nickel. Incredibly: Ni+H(heated under pressure)=Cu+lots of heat. This phenomenon (LENR) has been confirmed in hundreds of published scientific papers: http://lenr-canr.org/acrobat/RothwellJtallyofcol.pdf

“Over 2 decades with over 100 experiments worldwide indicate LENR is real, much greater than chemical…” –Dennis M. Bushnell, Chief Scientist, NASA Langley Research Center

“Energy density many orders of magnitude over chemical.” Michael A. Nelson, NASA

“Total replacement of fossil fuels for everything but synthetic organic chemistry.” –Dr. Joseph M. Zawodny, NASA

According to Forbes, electricity will be “too cheap to meter” if Rossi’s Oct 28 demonstration succeeds: http://www.forbes.com/sites/markgibbs/2011/10/17/hello-cheap-energy-hello-brave-new-world/

Here’s the latest, according to MSNBC it passed the test: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45153076/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.TrNo9rJqwe4

By the way, here is a current survey of all the companies that are bringing LENR to commercialization: http://www.cleantechblog.com/2011/08/the-new-breed-of-energy-catalyzers-ready-for-commercialization.html

Comment on How to make Alberta an energy superpower by Pete Duke

Pete Duke — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:50:28 +0000

Excellent article with a positive outlook. Keep the feds out of it and we’ll be fine.

Comment on Rick George: Unplugged by Tina

Tina — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:46:35 +0000

It’s always a relief when someone with obvious expertise answers. Thanks!

Comment on A roundup of views on Exxon’s outlook to 2040 by Servena

Servena — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 04:53:26 +0000

This is what we need – an insight to make everyone think

Comment on Bruce Power nuclear proposal dies a merciful death by Darren Campbell

Darren Campbell — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:12:57 +0000

Richard:

Thanks for the comment. I do wonder if the nuclear option may be looked at many, many years down the road in Alberta. We’re not exactly blessed with hydro power potential. Coal is abundant, but dirty and the oil and gas isn’t going to last forever. But we are a ways from that day yet.

Darren

Comment on Bruce Power nuclear proposal dies a merciful death by Richard D. Brinkman

Richard D. Brinkman — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:52:14 +0000

Many Albertans will welcome this news – Citizen News Report on social media’s YouTube 27 Oct 2009 – “Albertan’s say NO to nuclear development, Bill 50 , Alberta legislature protest” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AkgSS21Tfk

Comment on Feds approve Joslyn (and Joe Oliver calls for regulatory reform) by Darren Campbell

Darren Campbell — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:05:19 +0000

Hi Holly:

I don’t disagree with Oliver’s concerns about the regulatory process taking too long for these projects. Maybe six years is an outrageous time frame. But I do hope in the search for “efficiency” and “effectiveness”, Oliver and the Conservatives don’t have a pre-determined view of how this will turn out. My gut says that hope is misguided.

Comment on Feds approve Joslyn (and Joe Oliver calls for regulatory reform) by Holly Stick

Holly Stick — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:56:12 +0000

Its pretty obvious that the federal Conservatives have no interest in due diligence; that requires integrity, which they lack.

Comment on Opinion: Job growth triumphs over conservation by Gary

Gary — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:53:18 +0000

This pendulum has swung back and forth many times since “Silent Spring”, and it likely will again. Economic development has always been a balancing act between resource extraction and environmental effects, but having been in the environmental assessment business for more than 25 years I believe we do a much better job of environmental stewardship (with the inevitable exceptions) than we used to do. Unenlightened developers and resource extractors still try to get away with stuff, and most Canadians assume there are federal and provincial / territorial regulators being vigilant on our behalf. Unfortunately, ongoing and significant cuts to budgets at Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and numerous provincial / territorial agencies mean that fewer people with less experience are trying to keep companies honest. The already honest and enlightened companies don’t need the oversight, but the less scrupulous ones do. Tell your MP and MLA what you think about the startling cuts to environmental and resource regulators before it is too late for the snail darters, woodland caribou, and black footed ferrets. Their environment is also ours.

Comment on Alberta Oil: Report on America by Raif

Raif — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:18:01 +0000

The so called Canadian Oilpatch is owned lock stock and barrel by US Corporations. Their first concern is the US market and therefore the filtering down of benifits to them. How many excuses can the industry conceive to prolong the effort to maintain their control over the US market from the existing infrastructures they have in place world wide. To have their assets become second fiddle to Canadian production isn’t what they see as their assets being compedative. Have you ever wondered why Canada lets their oil go south for $90/brl when if the US were to buy oill based on the Brent Sea index they’d be paying $130/brl. Canada because of this two price system is giving the USA a 30% discount on crude. Lets build the pipeline to the west coast and load the super tankers for Asia at $130/brl now. It is time to use our economic clout on the Americans, we have been brow beat by their dominance for far too long.

Comment on “Ethical Oil” broadcasts its message in the U.S. by RGC_11

RGC_11 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:42:14 +0000

This very unethical “Ethical Oil” message is brought to you courtesy of The Stephen Harper Cconservative governmnet of Canada and the oil producing province of Alberta. Stephen Harper either still believes that Global Warming caused by human behavior is a Hoax generated by David Suzuki, or he puts the oil business ahead of the future generations of this planet. Either way, the “Ethical Oil” message is self-serving, ignores the facts of CO2 emissions and is,therefore, unethical.

Comment on Look to Gen Y to alleviate a labor crunch: Deloitte by Roza Mouithsone

Roza Mouithsone — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:25:35 +0000

Very interesting!!! We discussed Generation Y on our blog:
http://blog.projectplace.com/projectblog/2011/11/29/four-things-generation-y-can-teach-project-managers/

Kind regards,
Roza

Comment on Opinion: Job growth triumphs over conservation by Florian Schach

Florian Schach — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:25:39 +0000

It comes as no surprise that the Government is now overlooking regulations and maybe even halting a few others when it comes to business. It does come as a bit of a surprise that it took this long to start seriously reviewing what is necessary and what is not. Let’s not forget, (some of ) these regulation¬s over the last two years have cost about $40 Billion (http://eng.am/niOH2Y) , while it cost $60 in the administration prior. Though it may not be necessarily pleasant, we may see more examples of this in the future, however not to the degree where we are completely putting the planet at full risk.

Comment on Opinion: Job growth triumphs over conservation by alma vinson

alma vinson — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:46:48 +0000

That’ what High Speed Universities is all about, to further the education of students. They need more than a high school degree today, they need at least 2 years of college, preferably 4, and then we’re going to work with communities so they can grow economically and create more jobs for our young people

Comment on Alberta’s junior sector faces strong headwinds by Darren Campbell

Darren Campbell — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:25:13 +0000

Francis:

Thanks for the note and i hope my email reply to you was helpful.

Cheers,

Darren

Comment on Ontario’s green energy goals face an uncertain future by Darren Campbell

Darren Campbell — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:24:39 +0000

Hi Philip:

If this had been an op-ed, I wouldn’t have quoted anyone from the renewable energy sector and just relied on some oily PR flacks. There was no pandering involved, just an article pointing out the hiccups Ontario’s Green Shift has encountered. I hope they get it straightened out.

Cheers,

Darren

Comment on Alberta’s junior sector faces strong headwinds by Francis Kurt

Francis Kurt — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:37:51 +0000

Hello,

my name is Francis Kurt and I just arrived here in Fort McMurray
Thursday last, plan to stay about another ten days. I’d like to a
story on the modern day boom town of Fort MacMurray Just like to put a
face in the XL pipeline as it were: I don’t really have an opinion
about all of that as it’s the people of this town that are of
interest: Like the Filipino bus driver who has been living here for
four years, purchased a house for $350,000; two kids, and one day
hopes to return to the Philippines to start a business of his own, or
Doreen from Newfoundland who just arrived; after a short stint working
at McDonalds off to a camp to work on the fields; or Paul who’s back
in Fort Mac after a visit to Nova Scotia and working in a camp
already; though his situation is unique in that he’s been put up in a
hotel, gets a lift to camp each morning where he operates a fork lift.

Things like that, and I have a camera too, so can take pictures (I
studied film originally).

Hope to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Francis

Comment on Ontario’s green energy goals face an uncertain future by Dave

Dave — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:50:28 +0000

The real question is who controls the future of our energy supply – the elected members of Parliament or the hired managers of Hydro One .We have no clue what the real cost of Nuclear will be after decommissioning these unit ( some say 100x the cost of construction)

Comment on Ontario’s green energy goals face an uncertain future by Philip

Philip — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:12:22 +0000

This article reads like an op-ed. Oil industry types are upset that a democratization of energy policy is happening. As people come to grips with the collective price they are paying at the pump, on the meter, in the air, earth and water, for unfettered, unsustainable natural resource development, they are asking tough questions about the value of energy. Where is my energy coming from? How will it impact my world and the economy in the LONG term? What are other energy options? Would I pay more so things can unfold differently?

Some people thought Sir John A. was nuts for building the railroad.

We need innovation in energy because it will give new lifeblood to our nation. Is Ontario facing growing pains? Yes. Was that bound to happen? Yes. The election is over, and the balance of power is onside with the Green Energy Act. Why don’t you report that instead of pandering to oil executives?

Comment on Ontario’s green energy goals face an uncertain future by tono-bungay

tono-bungay — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:31:34 +0000

It is incorrect to refer to “subsidies” since no government money is going to producers. The term “above-market rates” is also misleading. Most electricity in Ontario is sold through a negotiated contract that specifies a minimum rate, relatively little is from a spot market. To the extent that the set of recently-negotiated rates for nuclear or gas can be called a market, renewables on average are at bit higher than other sources in the short term, but in the longer term their rates are locked for 20 years while the rates will rise. For future electricity supply contracts, it is clear that the price of renewables will drop while other fuels will rise.

Comment on Ontario’s green energy goals face an uncertain future by Mandy

Mandy — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:37:10 +0000

Biggest BOONDOGGLE EVER!

Comment on Why gas from the Mackenzie Delta still matters by Katie

Katie — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:12:06 +0000

WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE????? Why gas from the Mackenzie Delta still matters”

Comment on Keystone XL ‘too important’ for U.S. to kill: TransCanada by Wisdom Fay

Wisdom Fay — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:01:49 +0000

What arrogance! It boggles the mind to think how a few rich oil barons can reek such havoc OUR Canadian water, land, air and economy Alberta is being destroyed!!! Alberta, if saner brains ruled, would be ideal for introducing the new clean energy, such as nano-tech, solar and wind energies, all eager to return much higher profit with less damage to the environment.
Alberta is willing to supply a few jobs to a few people, put a lot of money in Alberta’s Oil Barons’ coffers, and pollute OUR the entire continent! Employing Alberta’s former politicians, (Keystone cops in my estimation) to bully American officials by threatening to put the pipeline out to “our” West Coast, and sell the oil to China is enough to make everyone in the world angry!

Stop the madness now!!!!!!

Comment on Cost inflation hits Australian LNG ventures by Jeff Lewis

Jeff Lewis — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:19:36 +0000

You are correct. Conditional approval only. Will amend. However I think the trend still holds. We will likely see more of these projects put forward.

Comment on Cost inflation hits Australian LNG ventures by Greg lee

Greg lee — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:55:20 +0000

In paragraph 6 you state chenieres export project had U.S. FERC approval.They in fact have not received approval from FERC that isnt expected until 2012.They only have approval from DOA(Department of Energy) to export.

Comment on Alaska governor seeks ‘commercial alignment’ for LNG by Dave Herrington-Fairbanks, Alaska

Dave Herrington-Fairbanks, Alaska — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:57:35 +0000

Usually when you give someone $500 million dollars, you expect something for it in return. It would also seem logical that you get some input into what you want done with that tidy sum. Markets change. They changed over a year ago, and TransCanada still insists that it is economically feasible to sale Alaskan produced gas in sub $4.00 markets.

I’m sorry but we have lots of information from the Wood Mackenzie and Pedro Van Muers studies, and petroleum experts from around the world that contradict that view. We also have over half of Alaska’s population that is being economically crippled by this game playing.

Comment on Alaska governor sticks knife in TransCanada’s back by Dave Herrington-Fairbanks, Alaska

Dave Herrington-Fairbanks, Alaska — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:04:59 +0000

The land line is dead and has been for over a year now despite what a governor and our federal coordinator keep saying. Is does not take $500 million and several years to figure this out.

Alaskans need to get a project going. The correct project. The one that was voted on in 2002 by Alaskans. That project delivers North Slope gas to tidewater at Valdez with takeoff points to provide affordable energy to the other half of Alaska. The route is stipulated and has been permitted to parallel the TransAlaska Pipeline.

Comment on Alaska governor sticks knife in TransCanada’s back by Dave Herrington-Fairbanks, Alaska

Dave Herrington-Fairbanks, Alaska — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:44:30 +0000

Alaska has given TransCanada and Exxon $500 million to partner in the development of 1 of 2 projects. It seems there is a huge conflict of interest that has developed where projects are competing against each other. Alaska’s needs are not being represented in a fair manor.

Fairbanks residents and rural Alaskans are not going to tolerate mortgage sized heating costs forever. The knife is sticking in our backs and has been for the last 53 years. The most recent knife is the one from all of the people that continue to insist that Alaska gas going to Canada is still a viable project.

Comment on What Opti Canada’s fall means for innovation by Fugi

Fugi — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:25:50 +0000

Someone tell ONGC to put a bid in for .55 and call it done.

Comment on Alaska governor sticks knife in TransCanada’s back by Darren Campbell

Darren Campbell — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:09:51 +0000

Kay:

I take it you think my post was off base. Point taken about LNG being an option and the market deciding what’s the best option – TransCanada CEO Russ Girling said as much today during a third quarter results conference call. But he also said that the landline is still the company’s focus. Considering the amount of competition that is brewing from the likes of Qatar, Australia and now Canada to get a sliced of the Asian LNG market, I wonder if the price scenario in the Pacific Rim will have changed significantly by the time an Alaska LNG project would be built – likely a decade from now.

Comment on Syncrude: Three decades of oil sands production by Darren Campbell

Darren Campbell — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:59:50 +0000

Hi James:

Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoy our little magazine. You must be amazed at how much the oil sands has grown since you were working on it.

Cheers,

Darren

Comment on Syncrude: Three decades of oil sands production by james b graybill

james b graybill — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:34:16 +0000

Gentlemen,
I am referred to in the book as a wacky engineer (in fact I was/am a stable chemical engineer), and was one of the original half-dozen engineers (from Sun Oil Marcus Hook) that was assigned to the original pilot plant operation [early 1960's]. A great experience, and we made a lot of tailings in those days. Looks like you are getting ahead of the disposal problem.
I am 72, long retired now, and I get a lot of pleasure owning a few shares. So I get your great newspaper!
Best of luck,
Jim Graybill

Comment on Alaska governor sticks knife in TransCanada’s back by Ray Andrus

Ray Andrus — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:03:46 +0000

For 3 1/2 years TransCanada has sat on its rump to no progress. I, for one, would like to know what you have done with the 500 million that you so eagerly took from Alaska? Are we to wait forever ????