As expected, Alberta’s competitiveness review is making permanent many of the tweaks added to the New Royalty Framework to address unintended consequences, most importantly the five per cent front end rate on conventional oil and natural gas. The max rate for conventional oil will be reduced to 40 per cent from 50 per cent, while [...]
It’s almost like Christmas in March
Finally, the day the industry has been on pins and needles for…Alberta’s long-awaited Competitiveness Review will be released this afternoon by Energy Minister Ron Liepert, bringing salvation and sustainability and certainty and longevity and…well, you get the idea.
I don’t recall this much buzz and anticipation for a missive from the provincial government since…well, since [...]
We have to start somewhere…
Gas is strong – sort of – rigs are busy again – sort of – and now PSAC is encouraged enough by what’s going on in the field – sort of – to cautiously raise its 2010 drilling activity forecast by 1,000 wells.
With the 12 per cent boost, the association now is forecasting 9,000 wells [...]
Wiebo’s detention
When word came down on Friday (Jan. 7) that near-legendary eco-activist Wiebo Ludwig had been detained by RCMP for questioning in the Encana pipeline bombings, I have to confess to an “I told you so” attitude. Wiebo’s efforts to aid the police investigation by communicating with the bomber always had a certain ring of insincerity [...]
The defections begin
Danielle Smith and her Wildrose Alliance Party are starting to have a direct impact on Ed Stelmach’s Tory administration in Alberta, witness the defections this week of MLAs Rob Anderson (Airdrie-Chestermere) and Heather Forsyth (Calgary-Fish Creek).
Although the WAP is still in the midst of developing its energy policy – aided by long-time Oilweek columnist David [...]
