To gain wisdom, the philosopher Pascal studied the stars. After all, big, vast subjects force you out of the box of routine thinking. Alberta Oil magazine also likes to think big – without this attitude how else are we to make sense of our country’s gargantuan energy resources?
Consequently, this issue features a discussion with the man whose vast vision and legacy is inextricably linked with Alberta’s rise to world prominence: Peter Lougheed. During the interview at Calgary’s venerable Ranchmen’s Club, my glance drifted across the street to Beaulieu, the residence of the ex-Premier’s grand-thinking grandfather, Senator Sir James Lougheed. It was this man who, almost a century ago, argued for provincial – and not federal – ownership of natural resources.
Today, Alberta’s ownership of its minerals has brought tremendous opportunity. And the whole world is paying attention, particularly to the oilsands. In response, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation planned a documentary, Tar Sands, to tell the story of this controversial, mind-staggering energy resource and the irresistible fascination it exerts on international petroleum companies. Alberta Oil is delighted to have been able to provide conceptual support to the producers of this soon-to-be-released film. We offer a sneak preview inside.
Needless to say, great opportunity comes with great responsibility. This magazine seeks to live up to that responsibility by challenging readers with provocative columns and in-depth analysis. Our focus remains on the oil and gas sector, but we also expand our scope to include issues of particular interest within the broader energy industry. Consider some of our current editorial highlights.
With the Alberta Energy Ministry nervously tweaking the new royalty regime with the perhaps unrealistic goal of pleasing all stakeholders, we asked David Finch (Pumped) and Paul Ziff (Ziff Energy Report) to reflect on what has been termed “Canada’s most significant economic development of the year.”
Petroleum prima donna Alberta may now be dancing on the world stage, but its main partner is still its southern neighbour. Todd Hirsch (Vantage Point) casts a critical look at the popular theory that the Canadian economy is somehow “decoupling” from the United States. And in the Washington Report, Fred Cedoz looks at the members and significance of the largest trade mission in Alberta’s history to America’s central bastion of power and influence.
But don’t just think “big,” think “heavy.” We moved up the publication date of this issue so that it coincides with the convening of the World Heavy Oil Congress in Edmonton, March 10 to 12. Our eye-catching cover pays homage to the dark, bituminous oil with which, more and more, Alberta’s economic future will be painted. In keeping with this theme, we are running a comprehensive feature on heavy oil recovery by Kambiz Safinya.
Some may get their insight from the stars; others may join us in getting it from deep inside the earth. We hope you’ll dig in and enjoy.
Sebastian Gault, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief
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