well construction journal - march/april 2015

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 The official publication of the Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers MARCH / APRIL • 2015 PM#40020055 PLUS OIL ON THE TRACKS An update on rail transport in 2015 WELCOMING WORKERS Alberta program helps women enter the trades Can the T orquay maintain its potential?

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  • The official publication of the Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers

    MARCH / APRIL 2015

    PM#40020055

    PLUSOIL ON THE TRACKS An update on rail transport in 2015

    WELCOMING WORKERS Alberta program helps women enter the trades

    Can the Torquay maintain its potential?

    000WCJ-Pason-FP.indd 1 2014-12-15 9:51 AM WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p28-01.indd 1 2015-03-06 8:32 AM

  • TECHNOLOGY EVOLVESAre your drilling fluids

    saving you time?

    Advanced technology can make a significant difference in the outcome of a bobsled run or a

    challenging well. Our powerful, low-corrosion Fusion Brine Fluid System has been uniquely

    formulated to help you drill deeper and faster while using fewer bits. We dont just talk speed,

    we deliver results. Call 403-266-7383 today see how the Fusion system can save you time.

    4.NDF-10338.Fusion.Ads.indd 2 2/25/15 11:00 AM000WCJ-Newpark-FP.indd 1 2015-02-25 10:10 AMWCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p02-03.indd 2 2015-03-06 8:32 AM

  • www.cadecanada.com march/april 2015 3

    The official publication of the Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers

    DEPARTMENTS

    4 PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

    6 THE DRAWING BOARD Editors note, members corner, news and notes, technical luncheons

    10 STUDENT PROFILES11 HELP WANTED17 MEMBER PROFILE

    25 BY THE NUMBERS26 DRILLING DEEPER

    FEATURES

    12 A BRIGHT SPOT Can Saskatchewans promising Torquay maintain its potential?

    18 PROVING ITS POTENTIAL Crescent Point Energy is bullish on the Torquays promise

    21 OIL ON THE TRACKS How will the transport of oil by rail fare in 2015?

    23 STEPPING UP SAFETY New Canadian technologies are playing a significant role in making pipelines safer

    The mandate of the Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers is to provide high-quality technical meetings and to promote awareness on behalf of the drilling and well servicing industry. With more than 500 members from more than 300 companies, CADE represents a broad spectrum of experience in all areas of operations and technologies. Through CADE, members and the public can learn about the tech-nical challenges and the in-depth experience of our members that continue to drive the industry forward. For drilling and completions specialists, CADE currently offers one of the best networking and knowledge sharing opportunities in the Canadian petroleum industry.

    CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF DRILLING ENGINEERSPO Box 957 STN M

    Calgary, AB T2P 2K4Canada

    Phone: 877-801-1820www.cadecanada.com

    PRESIDENT: Dan SchlosserPAST PRESIDENT: Jeff Arvidson

    WELL CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL EDITOR: Christian Gillis

    WELL CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL IS PUBLISHED FOR CADE BY VENTURE PUBLISHING INC.

    10259 105 StreetEdmonton, AB T5J 1E3Phone: 780-990-0839Fax: 780-425-4921

    Toll Free: [email protected]

    PUBLISHER: Ruth KellyDIRECTOR OF CONTRACT PUBLISHING: Mifi Purvis

    MANAGING EDITOR: Lyndsie BourgonART DIRECTOR: Charles Burke

    ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR: Andrea deBoerPRODUCTION MANAGER: Betty Feniak Smith

    PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS: Brent Felzien, Brandon HooverCIRCULATION COORDINATOR: Karen Reilly

    ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Kathy Kelley

    CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Robin Brunet, Lisa Catterall

    Robbie Jeffrey, Jacqueline Louie, Samus Smyth

    MARCH/APRIL 2015

    21

    PRINTED IN CANADA BY ION PRINT SOLUTIONS. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE MAIL TO 10259 105 ST.

    EDMONTON AB, T5J 1E3 [email protected]

    PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40020055 CONTENTS 2015 CADE. NOT TO BE REPRINTED OR

    REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION. 23

    TECHNOLOGY EVOLVESAre your drilling fluids

    saving you time?

    Advanced technology can make a significant difference in the outcome of a bobsled run or a

    challenging well. Our powerful, low-corrosion Fusion Brine Fluid System has been uniquely

    formulated to help you drill deeper and faster while using fewer bits. We dont just talk speed,

    we deliver results. Call 403-266-7383 today see how the Fusion system can save you time.

    4.NDF-10338.Fusion.Ads.indd 2 2/25/15 11:00 AM000WCJ-Newpark-FP.indd 1 2015-02-25 10:10 AM

    The official publication of the Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers

    12

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p02-03.indd 3 2015-03-06 8:32 AM

  • Well Construction Journal 4 march/april 2015

    N THE WAKE OF THE RECENT TRAIN DERAILMENTS and subsequent oil spills in Quebec, Ontario and West Virginia, which saw cars jump the track and catch fire, its more important than

    ever that we note the safe transport of oil via pipeline. In my opinion, pipelines are getting a bad rap unjustly, in both the public and political realm.

    No matter which method of shipment is being used, there are safety considerations that need to be addressed, as leaks, spills and other instances could happen. As with any mechanical system, its just a case of using technology and processes to minimize those failures over the long run and responding accordingly. By putting the method of transportation underground, where its a lot safer than anything above ground, you will max-imize the safety of the operation.

    The benefits of transporting oil by pipeline rather than entirely by rail rest in technological developments, which you can learn more about on page 21. True, there have been instances where a pipeline failure has injured people,

    but thats rare compared to instances of a train going down the tracks, derailing and catching fire. Pipeline safety is consistently safer than rail, due to the inherent technology being used and constant evolutions in pipeline technology.

    In the end, a lot of this debate is political, rather than being based on technology and sci-ence. Politicians should be basing their decisions more on the technology being used rather than the politics of it all and should exclude the dirty oil rhetoric from the lawmaking process. As we all need oil transported, which way do you want to do it? With pipelines incidents do occur, but based on what we hear in the news, there are a lot more rail incidents, even with improved safety measures.

    With the low oil price, a lot of U.S. producers are leaving oil in the ground rather than drilling it, and because of this, the U.S. is setting itself up for an oil shortage. Having a pipeline coming down from Canada that can safely transport oil would be a very important thing to have in their pockets.

    I

    MESSAGEPresidents

    Safe Pipelines Are Our Greatest Asset

    Dan Schlosser CADE President

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p04-09.indd 4 2015-03-06 8:31 AM

  • Safe Pipelines Are Our Greatest Asset

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    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p04-09.indd 5 2015-03-06 8:31 AM

  • Well Construction Journal 6 march/april 2015

    BOARDThe Drawing

    E D I T O R S N O T E

    President Dan Schlosser [email protected]

    Vice President Ryan Richardson [email protected]

    Education Chair Linden Achen [email protected]

    Membership Chair Andy Newsome [email protected]

    Social Chair Kristy Hysert [email protected]

    Treasurer Cecil Conaghan [email protected]

    WCJ Editor Christian Gillis [email protected]

    Sponsorship Chair Craig Joyce [email protected]

    Sponsorship Chair Brooke Needer [email protected]

    IT Chairman Matt Stuart [email protected]

    Secretary Tammy Todd [email protected]

    Communications Oliver Descoteaux [email protected]

    CADE Executive Team 2014/2015

    E X E C U T I V E T E AM

    Embracing UncertaintyT IS NOW EARLY MARCH, AND FOR SOME BREAKUP CAME right after the Christmas holidays. In both Canada and the U.S., rig counts are way down over last year. Oil prices seem to be holding around the $50 mark and the

    amount of speculation in the media about oil going to $30 or lower seems to be waning. Stockpiles in the U.S. grew again last week, but they didnt grow as much as the week before. This may be a sign that the reduction of activity in the U.S. may start to result in a drop in daily production. There are still those who believe that oil prices still have room to go down, but there seem to be more people believing that prices are ready to start coming back up. An article I read last week referenced an interview from the early 80s with an OPEC member and a quote from then remains prescient today: the only certainty in our market is uncertainty.

    As previously mentioned, CADE is looking to host a bowling tournament during breakup. Be sure to keep an eye out for emails mentioning registration and sponsorship. As well, our 2015 technical luncheon presentations continue, so please watch for registration emails or go to the website to get your tickets.

    As usual, please dont hesitate to contact us if you have any ideas for upcoming topics or issues youd like to see presented at the luncheons or in print. We are also looking for topics that tie into our Journal focus for each month.

    We hope to see more of this of the course of the year. We hope you the membership will participate and continue to make these events interesting and successful. If you have any issues youd like to see covered, please email me and we will do our best to get the story.

    Dont forget, we would like to publish any of your information and announcements on new products, new technologies and senior personnel changes for publication each month. Please forward any announcements to us, as we would be excited to run them in our new feature section.

    We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you at the upcoming luncheons.

    CHRISTIAN GILLIS, Managing Editor, Canadian Well Construction Journal [email protected] Phone: (403) 265-4973

    I

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p04-09.indd 6 2015-03-06 8:31 AM

  • march/april 2015 7 www.cadecanada.com

    MEMB E R S C O R N E R

    President Dan Schlosser [email protected]

    Vice President Ryan Richardson [email protected]

    Education Chair Linden Achen [email protected]

    Membership Chair Andy Newsome [email protected]

    Social Chair Kristy Hysert [email protected]

    Treasurer Cecil Conaghan [email protected]

    WCJ Editor Christian Gillis [email protected]

    Sponsorship Chair Craig Joyce [email protected]

    Sponsorship Chair Brooke Needer [email protected]

    IT Chairman Matt Stuart [email protected]

    Secretary Tammy Todd [email protected]

    Communications Oliver Descoteaux [email protected]

    WELCOME NEW MEMBERSJARED ALVEYCHUKWUEBUKA KENNEDY ANYAEJI CARLOS BARRIOSPATRICK BAYO-PHILIPOLUWATOFUNMI CAULCRICKEMRAH CEBECIJOE FISHERJEFF GERLITZJOHN HAYESPETER IDOGAFRANK ISEHPAUL MATTHEWSJONATHAN MCGREGORNICOLE MEISSNERCANDACE MENGERMICHAEL NEEDHAMALEXANDRU NISTORJULIAN NUNEZASEKIRIBEKE STANFORD OKUMGBAKERRI OLSONTOLULOPE OLUBAJOFRANCIS PATRICK ONOJAMUHEEZ OPEBIYIRICHARD PEARCEDANNY PROCTERYOUNUS RASHAN MUHAMMAD ADREES RAZADOMINIQUE ROCHSABA SADIQJOHN SHAFSHOLT EVE SURIYASRIKASHIF SYEDMICHAEL UGHANZEJONAH URTONLONG VONG

    WHY BECOME A CADE MEMBER?

    As of 2015, the Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers (CADE) has been active for 40 years. With more than 500 members from more than 300 companies, CADE rep-resents a large spectrum of experience in all areas of operations and technologies.

    For drilling and completions specialists, CADE currently offers one of the best net-working and knowledge sharing opportu-nities in the Canadian petroleum industry. The skills and knowledge obtained by your participation in CADE will benefit you and your employer, with direct application to your professional career.

    CADE offers various means for members to connect and share their insights. Monthly technical luncheons are held with topical in-dustry presentations. Other mebership ben-efits include our monthly publication Well Construction Journal and a membership direc-tory, which is the whos who of the Canadian drilling industry.

    Our website cadecanada.com is an excellent focal point for industry events, blogs and other news. We are also active on LinkedIn and Twitter.

    WHO CAN BECOME A CADE MEMBER?

    CADE members can be anyone employed in the drilling and completions industry or anyone who is interested in the industry.

    Typical members include drilling and completions engineers, geologists, technical

    personnel, sales personnel and students. Student memberships are available to any post-secondary student interested in learn-ing more about drilling and completions.

    Please feel free to share information about CADE with all the people in your organization who are interested in the drilling and completions industry.

    CADE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

    CADEs membership year is from Septem-ber to September. During the summer, CADE members will receive an email and link for the renewal process on our website.

    Please remember the benefits of being a CADE member include APEGAs profes-sional development hour, staying abreast of technological and industry advances, drilling conferences and a great opportuni-ty to network. Thank you for your support.

    CADE MEMBERSHIP CHANGES

    Log on to cadecanada.com to become a member or to update your contact information.

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p04-09.indd 7 2015-03-06 8:38 AM

  • Well Construction Journal 8 march/april 2015

    N EW S A N D N O T E S

    Albertas layoff notices on the rise in 2015

    THE RCMP HAS WARNED THAT A GROWING anti-petroleum movement poses a security risk in Canada. In a new intelligence report, the RCMP reveals that foreign groups are bent on blocking oil sands exploration and pipeline construction, and that the tactics they could use to stop devel-opment could be dangerous.

    The report is from January 2014, and was accessed via an information request from Greenpeace. Its public release has been tied to the new Bill C-51, which would provide greater power to security agencies that deal with terrorist groups. The legislation notes that activity which undermines the security of Canada as being anything that interferes with the economic or financial stability of the coun-try or its infrastructure.

    THE NUMBER OF NOTICES SUBMITTED TO ALBERTAS labour ministry took a spike during the first six weeks of 2015. Before a company in the province can lay off more than 50 people, they must first let the ministry know so that they can help arrange supports for the newly-laid off workers. Between January 1 and February 10, 2015 the province saw more than 4,500 people lose their jobs. The number is nearly nine times higher than during the same time period in 2014. That doesnt include employers who didnt take the time to fulfill the advance notice requirement.

    New numbers from Statistics Canada showed that the province gained about 13,000 jobs in January, but lost about 1,000 jobs in the natural resource sector, which includes oil and gas, min-ing and forestry. Another 3,700 jobs were lost in the scientific and technical fields, including geol-ogists and engineers in the energy sector. A large number of the layoffs also came from the closing

    of Targets Canadian stores. Economists are currently predicting that Alber-

    tas famously-low unemployment rate will rise in the upcoming year, with some estimating that it could rise to about six per cent.

    RCMP report warns of anti-petroleum movement risks

    Challenges have been mounted against the bill, with detractors saying the bill not only targets terrorists, but civilians who wish to protest against various government policies.

    BOARDThe Drawing

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p04-09.indd 8 2015-03-06 8:31 AM

  • T E C H N I C A L L U N C H E O N S

    Luncheon TicketsMEMBERS: $47.50 (plus GST)NON-MEMBERS: $55 (plus GST)FULL TABLES OF 10: $475 (plus GST)STUDENT: $20 (plus GST)

    Save the Date: March 18, 2015Topic: Deep Casing Tools A Smart Solution for Reducing Well Costs and RisksPresenter: Mike Chomack Deep Casing Tools unique and patented technology provides a step change in the process of running casing and liners, and can be used on any rig or well in the world without the need of special equipment. In this presentation Mike Chomack, a petroleum tech-nologist with over 35 years of industry experience gained while working for both service companies and operators, will address how deep casing tools are a solution for reducing well costs and risks. Chomack established the Deep Casing Tools operation in Canada in April of 2013, and in May of the same year was promot-ed to the position of Vice President.

    Save the Date: April 8, 2015Topic: The Fundamentals and Tools of Multi-Fractured Horizontal Well Casing DesignPresenter: Mark Woitt

    GST REGISTRATION #R123175036Visit www.cadecanada.com for all ticket purchases

    This presentation will outline how previous methods of vertical well casing design are not suitable for multi-fractured horizontal well applications. Mark Woitt is a senior completions specialist at RPS Energy, and has worked in numerous positions since entering the oil and gas industry in 1979. He now works out of the RPS Calgary office, primarily on HPHT well construction projects in-ternationally. The vast majority of the work performed in Canada over the last five years has been casing design for multi fractured horizontal wells.

    Albertas layoff notices on the rise in 2015

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    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p04-09.indd 9 2015-03-06 8:31 AM

  • Well Construction Journal 10 march/april 2015

    ULIAN NUNEZ IS IN HIS FOURTH YEAR OF THE OIL AND GAS engineering program at the University of Calgary. He completed a 16-month internship for Cenovus Energy, working as a pro-duction engineer for a tight-oil and natural gas asset, as well as

    a process engineer with the Foster Creek SAGD facility under the water treatment group. Prior to that, Nunez did a summer field term with Cenovus, where he had the chance to experience operations at the ground level. Through his industry exposure, Nunez has developed a keen interest in operations, and hopes to continue to learn about this exciting industry.

    He currently serves as the vice-president of marketing and growth for the Petroleum & Energy Society, a student-run club that looks to connect students to industry in hopes of creating a stronger work-force. In his role, he engages students in the many events that the club organizes, such as networking events, technical sessions and field trips. He also mentors a team of 10 representatives and directors, providing direction in their activities. He enjoys being on the people side of activities, and believes that people are the strongest asset that an organization can have.

    Nunez moved to Calgary in 2005. Being from Colombia, his mother tongue is Spanish. He enjoys languages, and hopes to learn Italian, French and Portuguese by travelling. Other activities he en-joys are playing guitar and snowboarding.

    Young TalentHighlighting tomorrows best and brightest

    Student PROFILE

    Julian Nunez Oil and Gas Engineering Program

    University of Calgary

    J

    Muheez OpebiyiPetroleum Engineering Technology

    SAIT

    UHEEZ ADEDAYO OPEBIYI IS FROM NIGERIA, WHERE HE ATTENDED post-secondary school. He later went to Ferris State University, Michigan, where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering technology. At Ferris, Opebiyi

    was on the Deans Honour List throughout his studies and received scholarships based on merit. After graduation, he came to Calgary to work and was admitted to SAIT last September to study petroleum engineering technology.

    Opebiyi likes mathematics and physics calculations, as well as dismantling and coupling things back together. He is drawn by the need to discover a method that can increase the hydrocarbon yield from reservoirs. And he loves that the oil and gas industry in Alberta is a place where small contributions can yield a great positive result.

    He loves playing basketball, hockey and watching movies (especial-ly science fiction and health-related ones), as well as reading suspense novels. He hopes to increase the amount of volunteer work he does because he enjoys contributing to his community. Opebiyi loves Canada because it is diverse, and appreciates that it gives everyone an opportunity to excel.

    After graduation, Opebiyi would like to work towards becoming a technologist. My long-term goal is to become a registered engineer with APEGA and a registered technologist with ASET, he says.

    M

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p10-11.indd 10 2015-03-06 8:26 AM

  • march/april 2015 11 www.cadecanada.com

    PROGRAM HELPS WOMEN ENTER THE TRADES

    HELP WANTED: Career Department

    DRILLING SLANG

    If you want to walk the walk on a drill site, it helps to talk the talk. Here are some terms and phrases often heard out in the field:

    ABANDONMENT COSTS: The costs associated with abandoning a well or production facility. Such costs typically cover the plugging of wells, removal of well equipment, production tanks and associ-ated installations.

    BLEED OFF: To equalize or relieve pressure from a vessel or system. The bleed-off process must be conducted with a high degree of control to avoid the effect of sudden depressurization, which may create shock forces and fluid-disposal hazards.

    GRAVEYARD TOUR: The overnight work shift of a drilling crew. The graveyard tour is the shift that begins at midnight.

    AN ALBERTA ASSOCIATION IS BRINGING A SUPPORT SYSTEM TO women that want to enter the trades. Women Building Futures provides the provinces construction companies with appren-tice-ready women and prepares female students for careers in a predominantly male-oriented business. The program covers ev-erything from in-class training to mentorship opportunities and long-term support.

    The CEO and president of WBF, JudyLynn Archer, estimates that about 85 per cent of the women who complete the program go on to become registered apprentices and eventually find employment in their chosen trade. This year, those numbers will be tracked in collaboration with Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education. Archer says the program has a very rigorous application process, and she aims to make sure the women that apply know that con-struction isnt for everyone.

    Still, there are a lot of opportunities in the trades and a lot of room for women to take up those jobs. While most construction and trades jobs are filled by men, Women Building Futures hopes to help create a more open workspace for women in the trades.

    The program offers flexible learning options, such as an option to learn some skills online, an important factor for many women who cant easily leave their homes or communities to go to school.

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    KRINGING WEIGHTS: The weights assigned to control points in kringing operations to minimize the variance, thus eliminating systematic estimation errors.

    NON-DARCY FLOW: Fluid flow that deviates from Darcys law, which assumes laminar flow in the formation. Since most of the turbulent flow takes place near the wellbore in producing formations, the effect of non-Darcy flow is a rate-dependent skin effect.

    UNCONFORMITY TRAP: A type of hydrocarbon trap whose closure is controlled by the presence of unconformity.

    Women Building Futures notes that this is often the case with First Nations people who want to become apprentices. Afterwards, the program provides support during the apprenticeship stage, includ-ing help seeking out scholarships to complete their training.The provincial government offers a number of scholarships to Albertans that are interested in learning a trade, and there are also grants available from the federal government for those who com-plete their training.

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p10-11.indd 11 2015-03-09 1:19 PM

  • Well Construction Journal 12 march/april 2015

    REPORTSpecial

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    MONTANA

    SOUTH DAKOTA

    NORTH DAKOTA

    MANITOBA

    SASKATCHEWAN

    TORQUAY SHALE PLAY

    REGINA

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p12-15.indd 12 2015-03-06 9:05 AM

  • march/april 2015 13 www.cadecanada.com

    Can Saskatchewans promising Torquay maintain its potential?

    T HE THREE FORKS FORMATION, WHICH underlies the Bakken in Saskatchewan and is better known as the Torquay in Canada, is a prime example of yet another Next Big Thing that causes analysts to enthusiastically reassess their yield estimates and energy producers to invest millions in development.

    In 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey revealed that the Williston Basin, in which Torquay is located, contains 7.38 billion barrels of techni-cally recoverable oil. This is considerably more than the USGSs 2008 assessment of 3.73 billion barrels, and a far cry from its 1997 estimate of

    LOCATION: North Dakota, southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba

    RESOURCE: Interbedded dolomite mudstone, silty dolostone and anhydrite

    SOURCE ROCK: Overlying Bakken shales

    ESTIMATED RECOVERABLE RESERVES: Up to 45 billion barrels

    PRODUCTION & MAJOR PRODUCERS: Low-decline, high rate of return wells drilled by Crescent Point Energy. Continental Resources and Vermilion Energy are prepping development

    SpotBrightA

    By Robin Brunet

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p12-15.indd 13 2015-03-06 9:05 AM

  • Well Construction Journal 14 march/april 2015

    REPORTSpecial

    only 151 million barrels of technically recov-erable crude. Crescent Point Energys president and CEO, Scott Saxberg, has publicly stated that Torquay, has the potential to be the equivalent size of our Viewfield Bakken play, which pro-duces 70,000 boe/d.

    This reassessment has caused other organizations to adjust their predictions of Saskatchewans total oil production. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers believes production in that province will grow from 486,000 bpd to 607,000 bpd by 2030 a substantially brighter fore-cast than its estimate two years ago that production would peak sometime this decade. Much of the excite-ment over Torquay stems from Crescent Point developing its outcomes in the Flat Lake area of southeast Saskatchewan from zero to over 5,000 boe/d, by drilling 36 low-decline, high rate of return wells that pay out in less than sev-en months This is a remarkable achievement, considering investors typically look for 12 to 15-month payouts.

    But, perhaps mindful of how quickly a Next Big Thing can turn into Yesterdays News in

    the oil business, analysts are careful to temper their enthusiasm at least publicly. Weve tried to be deliberately conservative in our fore-casts, in that we dont want to overblow where its going, CAPP vice-president of oil sands and markets Greg Stringham told Alberta Oil maga-zine in September 2014.

    TORQUAY STRETCHES across North Dakota, southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manito-ba. As is the case with Middle Bakken, it has a

    number of distinct hydro-dynamic systems. Though its name implies three pay-zones, Torquay consists of four stacked oil-bearing formations that are cumu-latively 250 feet thick (the

    USGSs dramatic increase in yield estimates is partly due to the survey including the upper layer, which alone is about 50 feet thick).

    Torquay consists of interbedded grayish-green dolomitic mudstone, pink silty dolostone and anhydrite. Its part of the Sinclair Field, which had been explored in the 1960s but whose pay was overlooked during that time (reserve discovery came in 2004, and the field was designated the following year).

    A Crescent Point crew working in Saskatchewan

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    The size of the prize is just too big to ignore. Investors made fortunes with the Bakken in its early years,

    and a similar investment scenario may now unfold. Keith Schaefer

    FAST FACTS:Torquays potential has led Canadian energy producers to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to acquire prospective acreage in Saskatchewan and North Dakota.

    When the USGS revised its assessment of Torquay, it increased its estimate by 25 times and that was a cautious reassessment

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p12-15.indd 14 2015-03-06 9:05 AM

  • www.cadecanada.com march/april 2015 15

    As with the Bakken, oil is produced from Tor-quay using both horizontal drilling technology and hydraulic fracturing. Between 2008 and 2013 alone, approximately 450 million boe were produced from the Bakken and Torquay in the U.S.

    In April 2014, after Crescent Point announced the outcome of its 36 wells drilled in Torquay, the company acquired CanEra Energy for $750 million. This gave it an extra 680 square kilometres of acreage in the region, and Crescent Point spent the rest of the year devel-oping the play (to the tune of $200 million). This summer it is initiating its first waterflood pilot.

    Continental Resources and Vermilion Ener-gy are monitoring Crescent Points work close-ly. The former, a longtime Bakken player, has drilled exploration wells in the three deepest Torquay zones. The latter has meaningful ex-posure in the Torquay, according to director of investor relations Dean Morrison, but it is al-lowing industry to progress the play further before investing in development (when con-tacted to discuss opportunities in Torquay, in-vestor relations analyst Andrea McCormick de-clined to participate, stating that Vermilion is not actively drilling the Torquay at this time.)

    For the record, Continentals assessment of the Torquay states that the inclusion of the deeper parts of the formation boosts the total amount of oil originally in place from 577 bil-lion barrels to 903 billion, with as much as 45 billion barrels being technically recoverable.

    Legacy Oil and Gas has also explored the Torquay: in 2011, it drilled a well just north of the Saskatchewan border with reportedly modest results. It commenced further drilling in 2014 in the Flat Lake and Taylorton areas. Legacy continues to evaluate and increase its potential in the Taylorton and Pinto areas, where Torquay oil is sourced by the overlying Bakken shales.

    Torquays success depends on the type of technology used for development. Cres-cent Point, for example, continues to refine its 25-stage cemented liner completion tech-niques, which uses up to 45 per cent less water than previous completion methods and results in decreased well costs.

    Waterflood programs and the use of coil

    tubing units have also benefited Crescent Point operations, the former positively impacting the companys cash flows by lowering production declines and improving rates of return on pro-ducing wells. Meanwhile, Legacy has designed its own frac plans and conducts real-time mon-itoring rather than passing over the task to ser-vice companies. This has allowed the company to optimize the efficiency of well completion and better cope with unforeseen geological challenges. Additionally, because it already has

    gathering systems in place for oil and natural gas due to prior drilling in the Bak-ken and Midale Formations, Legacy can rapidly increase production from early stage

    to full-field development as can Crescent Point and Vermilion, for the same reasons.

    But for all the recent interest in Torquay, an-alysts are reluctant to discuss production poten-tial. Energy Aspects turned down Well Construc-tion Journals request for an interview, stating it doesnt have anyone looking closely at the play. Petrel Robertson Consulting and even Tundra Oil and Gas (the latter regarded as having con-siderable knowledge about the formation), also declined to be interviewed.

    This may be due to the fact that, despite Crescent Points well successes to date, the Tor-quay remains largely unexplored and given the predominance of the Bakken, there hasnt been much incentive until now to drill deeper and determine the specific challenges of the for-mation. That would explain why, when asked in September if Torquay as a commercial re-source will affect CAPPs crude oil forecasts for Saskatchewan, Greg Stringham replied, Its a bit too early to say that its going to make a substantial change.

    In a piece he wrote for his Oil and Gas Invest-ments Bulletin newsletter in June 2014, analyst Keith Schaefer points out that, although the Tor-quay has invigorated the Canadian side of the Bakken and caused industry to leap-frog esti-mates in the U.S., Its important for investors to remember that Torquay/Three Forks is still in its early stages, and different areas and formations may respond differently.

    Still, Schaefer concedes that, The size of the prize is just too big to ignore. Investors made fortunes with the Bakken in its early years, and a similar investment scenario may now unfold. PH

    OTO:

    CAN

    ADIA

    N PR

    ESS

    The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers believes production in that province will grow from 486,000 bpd

    to 607,000 bpd by 2030.

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p12-15.indd 15 2015-03-09 1:24 PM

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    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p16-17.indd 16 2015-03-06 8:16 AM

  • www.cadecanada.com march/april 2015 17

    ROY TADDEO IS NO STRANGER TO SEIZING THE day. A born-and-raised Calgarian, Taddeo went to SAIT Polytechnic, but when an opportunity presented itself, he left his

    program earlier than expected. It kind of led me down the path that Ive gone down, he says.

    Taddeo was offered a job working in the field as a MWD (measurement while drilling) oper-ator. It was the job I wanted when I started at SAIT, and it just kind of came up a year early, so I decided it was good timing, he says. Taddeo knew some friends who had taken similar jobs before him, and he thought it seemed like the best of both worlds. It was technical, hands-on and you were in the field, he says. He split his time working up in Dawson Creek, B.C. and in Saskatchewan.

    But a few years later, he was ready for a chal-lenge. I worked my way into the office because I was tired of the field, he says. It was good to be home, and to have a kind of normal life even though I was on call 24/7. With another em-ployee, Taddeo was managing a group of about 60 employees as a field coor-dinator. I really enjoyed the people managing part of it, he says.

    Four years after taking on that position, he was ready for a change, and decided that getting into sales was a step in the right direction. I wanted it for that oppor-tunity down the line, he says. It seemed like before, I was at a dead end, but sales had limit-less possibilities. I like dealing with new people all the time, new relationships, and in sales the

    harder you work the more you are rewarded.Taddeo currently works for Precision Drill-

    ing, in their directional division. He says the com-pany itself is a great fit even though its a big com-pany, it feels small and the company treats everyone well. He also finds oppor-tunities for career devel-opment through CADEs function and technical

    luncheons. Its such a broad spectrum of all oil and gas, and Im learning new stuff all the time. You can network and meet new people in all different areas.

    PROFILEMember

    By Martin Dover

    T

    The Possibilities are EndlessTroy Taddeo finds a world of promise in his switch to sales

    Troy Taddeo

    It seemed like before, I was at a dead end, but sales had limitless

    possibilities. I like dealing with new people all the time, new relationships, and in sales the harder you work the

    more you are rewarded. Troy Taddeo

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p16-17.indd 17 2015-03-06 8:16 AM

  • Well Construction Journal 18 march/april 2015

    S

    Proving Its Potential Crescent Point Energy is bullish on the Torquays promise

    PENDING CUTS ARE COMMON DURING PERIODS of market fluctuation, but not all oil and gas companies are forced to follow the same slash-and-burn path in order to sur-

    vive. With a strong balance sheet, Calgary-based Crescent Point Energy remains more financially flexible than some of its competitors. With its high engagement in the shale play of southern Saskatchewan, this flexibility could open possibil-ities for the company over the next year.

    Weak oil prices in 2015 pose a threat to the de-velopment of unconventional oil reserves across North America. Oil and gas companies are facing cuts not seen since 2008/2009, when falling

    market prices led to major changes across indus-tries. As of February, a number of energy compa-nies have announced plans to rein in spending and exploration in order to survive the recent dip in oil prices. BHP Billiton, Total and ConocoPhillips are just a few of the companies who have announced plans to cut expenditures on North American shale oil exploration in 2015.

    The Torquay region in southeastern Saskatche-wan has won attention from investors and com-panies looking to gain access to North Americas next big shale play over the last several years. The play is an extension of the Three Forks shale gas formation located in North Dakota. In contrast to

    REPORTEconomic

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p18-20.indd 18 2015-03-06 8:13 AM

  • www.cadecanada.com march/april 2015 19 www.cadecanada.com

    the part of the Three Forks resting south of the border, Torquay has presented lower capital costs and higher rates of return from wells, making it a lucrative development area.

    The potential of the play has been of great interest to Crescent Point, one of the biggest players in the area since 2007. Between then and now, the company has acquired more than 960 net sections of land in the area. Now, with oil prices at less than $50 per barrel, Crescent Point is faced with the dilemma of cutting costs while maintaining its strong position in the Torquay.

    Though the companys initial budget for the year is conservative, its bottom line is cushioned somewhat by hedged prices, which will protect the companys development plans in Saskatch-ewan. This year, Crescent Point has reduced its

    capital expenditures budget by 28 per cent in order to accommodate falling oil prices.

    One of the things they have is almost 50 per cent of their oil hedged through the end of this year at $93 a barrel. Thats huge. Oil is below $50, but theyre getting $93. Most companies dont have hedges like that, so Crescent Point reaps the benefit when their price is set higher. That, plus their already strong balance sheet is a big help, says Bruce Campbell, president of portfolio man-agement at Torontos Campbell, Lee and Ross.

    Last year alone, the company drilled 41 hori-zontal wells, including 11 step-out wells, in the Torquay play. It aims to expand on the regions 2014 growth by drilling 44 net wells this year. As Canadas largest driller of horizontal wells, Cres-cent Point has planned for expenditures of $188 billion in the Torquay (Flat Lakes) in 2015, which accounts for approximately 13 per cent of the companys budget. The budget not only allows for continued drilling and traditional exploration of the area, but in mid-2015 its also looking to begin the first waterflood pilot in the area.

    Low break-even prices for current operations in the Torquay and Bakken have meant that even with lowered oil prices, Crescent Point still retains an advantage. With a break-even point at just below $50 per barrel, the company stands to continue its success even in the current economic environment.

    The main focus for the companys spending will be technology, which reduces production costs while increasing output. This method has been successful in lowering decline rates and increasing recovery factors over time across Crescent Points activities in Canada.

    In a January 6, 2015, press release, Crescent Point president and CEO Scott Saxberg said, Our commitment to technology is a key value-driver

    for the company. Techno-logical advancements such as our 25-stage cemented liner completion techniques, waterflood programs across all major plays, and the use of coil tubing units provide us with a clear advantage that has direct impact on our

    cash flows and, ultimately, our bottom line.One of the things thats helping is that theyre

    going to the drillers and asking for cuts in the fees that are paid in order to drill a well, says Camp-bell. Like a lot of other companies, theyve cut

    By Lisa Catterall

    market prices led to major changes across indus-tries. As of February, a number of energy compa-nies have announced plans to rein in spending and exploration in order to survive the recent dip in oil prices. BHP Billiton, Total and ConocoPhillips are just a few of the companies who have announced plans to cut expenditures on North American shale oil exploration in 2015.

    The Torquay region in southeastern Saskatche-wan has won attention from investors and com-panies looking to gain access to North Americas next big shale play over the last several years. The play is an extension of the Three Forks shale gas formation located in North Dakota. In contrast to

    This time, we know its not going to be five years, its not going to be three years; you can wait it out and cut costs and do whatever you can to survive and then live to fight another

    day and itll be 2016. Bruce Campbell

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p18-20.indd 19 2015-03-06 8:13 AM

  • Well Construction Journal 20 march/april 2015

    REPORTEconomic

    back their 2015 budget, so they wont spend as much. Returns would be at $44 per barrel, and wouldnt be economical. All in all, it wouldnt be worth their while. So theyve slowed down in terms of growth.

    In the event that oil prices remain low through-out 2015, Crescent Point has left itself a number of options to weather the storm, including a strong inventory depth, additional reductions to capital expenditures and the option to reduce facilities spending while shifting capital to its re-frac inventory.

    Campbell believes that the change in oil prices this year is purely cyclical, and that there are a number of differences between the current reduc-tion in oil prices and the last market downturn.

    Its very different than in 2008/2009, when peo-ple had this uncertainty and it felt like the world was coming to an end. At that time, the oil price was down, but you knew that it was not because of supply and demand of oil. So now, this is the first time since, and it is really demand and supply, says Campbell. And so, you fix that it is fixable, it takes time but the oil prices will come back up. So that time, we didnt know how long it was going

    to be. But this time, we know its not going to be five years, its not going to be three years; you can wait it out and cut costs and do whatever you can to survive and then live to fight another day and

    itll be 2016.The final question

    remaining, according to Campbell, will come about once prices have rebound-ed and companies are looking for growth in 2016.

    This is the big question: everybodys taking these measures of caution, and its great for survivability and for getting oil prices back up over the year ... but what will happen in 2016 when you didnt spend and drill in 2015 so you dont have a lot of growth in production?

    FAST FACTS

    According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there are 3.73 billion barrels of undiscovered oil in place in the Three Forks (Torquay, in Canada) formation.

    In April 2014, Crescent Point announced that its production from Torquay had gone from zero to 5,100 boe/d in under a year.

    Crescent Point has acquired more than 960 net sections of land in the Torquay. Now, with oil prices at less than $50 per barrel, it is faced with the dilemma of

    cutting costs while maintaining its strong position in the area.

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p18-20.indd 20 2015-03-06 8:13 AM

  • www.cadecanada.com march/april 2015 21

    A

    Oil on the Tracks How will the transport of oil by rail fare in 2015?

    By Jacqueline Louie

    S THE EFFECTS OF LOW OIL PRICES RIPPLE throughout the economy, the outlook for moving crude oil by rail is not quite as rosy as it was in 2014.

    The economics of rail versus pipeline, at this point, are not as robust as they were four to six months ago, says Tammi Price, vice-president of investor relations and corpo-rate development for Gibson Energy, a midstream company providing crude oil and natural gas liquids transpor-tation and logistics to the energy industry.

    In the current pricing environment, shipping by rail isnt as economically viable as it was six months ago, and the industry could see reduced volumes of crude oil moving out of Western Canada by rail.

    If pricing persists at current levels for the full 12 months of 2015, we most likely are going to see a reduction in overall crude-by-rail volumes in 2015 [compared to] 2014. Rail remains an important

    means for market access because I dont think well have resolved the pipeline issues. But certainly there is an expectation, within Alberta and within

    the U.S., that if drilling stops then production levels will eventually start to show de-clines, she says.

    This trend will likely be more pronounced in the U.S., where shale plays typ-ically have higher decline rates than conventional oil,

    Price says. And well see less crude-by-rail moving out of the Bakken. ForCanada, the forecast is still sunny for increasing volumes coming out of the oil sands in the long run because those are very long-term investments being made up there, with multi-year construction capital projects that have been ongoing.

    Still, Price thinks there will be less volume moving out of Canada by rail in 2015 compared to last year. Because there are still market access

    They dont spill much oil at all, relative to the amount of oil they are moving. I worked for the railway for 35 years, and I can tell you they are

    maniacal about safety. Randy Meyer

    REPORTTransportation

    FAST FACTS:According to the Rail Association of Canada, about 70 per cent of all surface goods moved in Canada are now moved by rail.

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p21-22.indd 21 2015-03-06 8:11 AM

  • Well Construction Journal 22 march/april 2015

    REPORTTransportation

    issues for crude oil coming out of Western Canada, transporting crude oil by rail will have to serve as an option for market access for Western Canadian producers.

    Of course, everything is contingent on how long the current pricing structure will last, and nobody knows what OPEC will do or when pricing will start to turn. At the end of the day, it all comes down to economics, Price says.

    For 2015, Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. has tak-en its expectations down from 200,000 carloads of crude to 140,000 carloads. Weve obviously seen significant price declines for the commodities that were not expected, noted CP president and chief operating officer Keith Creel in the companys Q4 call at the end of January.

    Canadian National, meanwhile, believes that heavy oil production will be less affected by lower crude oil prices than will conventional sources of crude production. In future, CN expects heavy crude to account for greater than 60 per cent of CNs total shipments of crude oil, says CNs director of communications and pub-lic affairs, Mark Hallman. CN believes its crude-by-rail business will continue to grow, as rail continues to play a complementary role to pipelines in getting crude oil to markets.

    Heavy crude is by far and away better to move by rail, says Randy Meyer, vice-president of corpo-rate development and logistics at Altex Energy, a Canadian company that transports crude oil prod-ucts using rail as a pipeline. The heavy oil moved in rail cars is far less hazardous in the case of a leak, he says, adding that in the Alberta to Texas corridor, using rail to transport heavy oil would be a cheaper, more effective and environmentally advantageous transportation method than pipeline. You can move one metric tonne of crude oil 197 kilometres with one litre of fuel it is extremely fuel efficient, he says. You can use existing rail rights-of-ways, and no more land has to be taken out.

    And, Meyer notes, the industry does not need to go to the U.S. and ask any permission at all to ship heavy oil by rail. Its also cheaper to move heavy oil over time because there is no diluent penalty. You pay to move that diluent down, and you pay to move it back. And, there is a secondary cost because the market demand for diluent at the head of the pipe is higher than at the tail of the pipe,

    Meyer says. Rail really mitigates the risk of what theyre doing. It gives them a very diverse market that they can go to if it makes sense. You can turn rail down quite a bit ... With rail, you pay for what you move.

    In comparison, light oil is far better to move in a pipeline than on rail, Meyer notes: Bakken crude

    doesnt make sense to move on rail. It only makes eco-nomic sense for niche play-ers where they dont have pipeline connections or a particular market access.

    In addition to economics, safety is another consider-ation when transporting crude oil by rail.

    Since the Lac-Mgantic disaster in 2013, reg-ulation in the railway industry has increased dramatically from a safety point of view. Those requirements are much more stringent than what was previously in place, Price says. Industry in-siders note that safety concerns for Canadian oil are different than they are for lighter oil: for the most part, Canadian oil is a heavier grade that is less volatile.

    You couldnt light undiluted heavy oil on fire if you put a match to it it is extremely safe to move this product. And if it does escape, because each car is isolated as a unit, it will limit the amount of product that comes out, says Meyer, noting that both rail and pipelines are extremely safe forms of transportation. They dont spill much oil at all, relative to the amount of oil they are moving. I worked for the railway for 35 years, and I can tell you they are maniacal about safety. CP had its lowest train accident frequency ever in 2014, according to a company spokesperson.

    FAST FACTS:In September 2014, CN became the first rail company fined under the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act, which requires CN and CP to move a weekly minimum amount of grain in railcars or face a fine.

    Between 2007 and 2011, the industry average for accidents involving dangerous goods averaged 161 per year.

    Rail remains an important means for market access because I dont think well have resolved the pipeline issues. But certainly there is an expectation, within Alberta and within the U.S. that if drilling stops then production levels will eventually

    start to show declines. Tammi Price

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p21-22.indd 22 2015-03-06 8:11 AM

  • www.cadecanada.com march/april 2015 23

    F

    Stepping Up Safety New Canadian technologies are playing a significant role in making pipelines safer

    By Samus Smyth

    IBRE OPTICS, LEAK PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY and smart pigs are some of the latest in-struments being used by Albertas pipeline leaders to ensure the oil and gas industry

    plays it as safe as possible.The dialogue surrounding pipeline safety in Cana-

    da is charged. Because they carry and transport some of our most lucrative natural resources through our countrys most delicate terrain and environment, pipeline concerns take a prime seat when it comes to natural resource extraction debates. And while yes, companies have been motivated to advance their technology due to environmental concerns, its also the large volumes of men and women that have careers in the pipeline business that has made

    a number of Albertas most prominent players step their safety game up.

    This more intense commitment to safety has paved the way for new technologies and innova-tions to take shape across the province. Alexandra Frison, communications director for the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, says advancements have been made at every stage of the pipeline cy-cle. She cites applying specialized coatings used to prevent corrosion, and 24-hour monitoring rooms which allow for stern supervision as just two exam-ples of preventative measures.

    One example of this is Calgary-based Legacy Oil + Gas, which has a room in their downtown office dedicated solely to monitoring their projects across

    REPORTSafety

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p23-25.indd 23 2015-03-06 8:10 AM

  • Well Construction Journal 24 march/april 2015

    REPORTSafety

    the province. Aptly named the Frac Room, it has four television sets documenting its hydraulic fracturing projects, ensuring optimal attention to detail.

    Further north, Edmonton-based C-FER Technol-ogies has been researching and testing methods to utilize fibre-optic sensors and hydro-carbon detecting cables to enable them to detect notable temperature changes and leaks more rapidly in pipelines. Brian Wagg, C-FER Technologies direc-tor of business development, and his team have actually created a testing ground for spills via a massive tank, which boasts a 24-foot pipe with the ability to purposely leak through leak ports. Its one of C-FERs many ways of offering vendors the most futuristic and optimal equipment.

    What Wagg views as the most significant in-novation in the pipeline industry has been the industrys ideological movement from qualitative data to quantitative data. In the past, the methods were semi-quantitative or semi-qualitative, based on ex-perience and opinions of the people with experience. But there is a push by the regula-tors and the operators to use hard numbers to characterize the risk on the pipeline and to evaluate where they should be spending their money, Wagg says. How you are processing that info, whether it be by using engineering models, evaluating that data and entering data to assess the impact, doing a repair or even doing a survey, now you are confident in identifying the features on the pipeline.

    ATCO President Brian Hahn says the company has had pipeline monitoring stations for as long as he can remember. Stations are manned at all times and on all days throughout the year, and have served as invaluable methods of gathering data. All have pre-determined notice levels and alarm levels that help the monitors make sure they working within the operating parameters that are set, he explains.

    A new technology that stands out for Hahn is pipeline inspection gauges, otherwise known as smart pigs. They have been used to determine the overall health and condition of a pipeline by gauging the thickness of pipes and checking for corrosion. Theyre called pigs for a few reasons its an acronym (which stands for pipeline inspec-tion gauge) and also references the squeal created when making its journey through a pipeline.

    ATCO, for one, hasnt been underestimating the work they have cut out for them when it comes to upgrading old pipelines and regulating news ones. Its a suite of things, says Hahn, about what the company takes on in this regard. From field inspections to your inline inspections, to the revealing of the maintenance records, they are all part of managing the risk of pipelines to the lowest possible number. We want safe, reliable, sustain-able service thats our pipeline goal.

    All of this comes at a cost. CEPAs Frison says the pipeline industry spent $1.4 billion on pipeline safety in 2013. She points to a number of factors as playing significant roles in the improvements, but says nothing trumps the research and work of post-secondary institutions across the country.

    Canadas universities have the highest propor-tion of pipeline researchers in the world, and our industry works hard to support them to ensure we continually develop new technologies to advance

    our safety practices, says Frison. A number of collab-orations between competing companies in the name of safety have also given Frison hope that pipeline safety has set a bold, new standard. CEPA members have also

    established their own program to take their prac-tices to the highest level going beyond regulation and coming together as an industry to demon-strate their commitment to acting responsibly and in Canadians best interests. Safety is one of the key focus areas of the program, and the industry collaborates to improve and advance their safety practices to reduce the risk of pipeline incidents, with a goal of zero incidents, she says.

    In 2013, all CEPA members signed the Mutual Emergency Management Agreement (MEAA), which formalized the industry practice of sharing resources between companies in the event of a significant incident. And in September 2014, CEPAs members took part in a joint emergency management exercise to test this agreement and strengthen the industrys ability to work together in the event of an emergency she continues.

    Its this internal teamwork that has the pipeline industry confident about the future, including ATCO president, Hahn. Industry collaborating and sharing best practices, this is how industry works on a journey of continuous improvement and sharing their experiences and so everyone can be a beneficiary, he says.

    There is a push by the regulators and the operators to use hard numbers to characterize the risk on the pipeline and to evaluate where they should be

    spending their money. Brian Wagg

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p23-25.indd 24 2015-03-06 8:10 AM

  • www.cadecanada.com march/april 2015 25

    NUMBERSBy the

    Stats at a Glance

    Canadian Rig Counts February 13, 2015

    Drilling Down Total Utilization

    Alberta 231 309 540 43%

    B.C. 54 24 78 69%

    Manitoba 7 9 16 44%

    New Brunswick 0 0 0

    Newfoundland 0 0 0

    Northwest Territories 0 0 0

    Quebec 1 0 1 100%

    Saskatchewan 55 84 139 40%

    Totals 348 426 774 45%Source: Alberta Department of Energy

    Top 5 Most Active OperatorsFebruary 13, 2015

    Active Rigs

    Crescent Point Energy Corp. 24

    Progress Energy Canada Ltd. 20

    Tourmaline Oil Corp. 15

    Encana Corporation 12

    ConocoPhillips Canada Limited 12Source: CAODC

    Top 5 Most Active Drillers in Western CanadaFebruary 12, 2014

    Active Total

    Precision Drilling Corp. 78 194

    Savanna Energy Services Corp. 37 72

    Ensign Energy Services Inc. 33 102

    Western Energy Services Corp. 32 49

    Trinidad Drilling Ltd. 30 60Source: FirstEnergy Capital

    Alberta Land SalesJanuary 2015

    January 2015 January 2014 YTD 2015 YTD 2014

    Oil and Natural Gas

    Land Sales $31.8 million $39.1 million $31.8 million $39.1 million

    Price Per Hectare $163.07 $245.80 $163.07 $245.80

    Oil Sands

    Land Sales $139.047 $1.2 million $139.047 $1.2 million

    Price Per Hectare $38.12 $183.03 $38.12 $183.03Source: Alberta Department of Energy

    WCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p23-25.indd 25 2015-03-06 8:10 AM

  • Well Construction Journal 26 march/april 2015

    DEEPERDrilling

    By Robbie Jeffrey

    Long Way Down Alberta will be bruised by low oil prices. How will the rest of Canada fare?

    PRECIPITOUS DIVE IN OIL PRICES MEANS the Conference Board of Canada is now doing double duty as both a re-search organization and a harbinger

    of doom. In January, it forecasted a reces-sion in Alberta after benchmark oil prices dropped more than 45 per cent between June and December of last year. Cash flow, busi-ness confidence, long-term investments its all under fire, according to a report it published on the impact of low oil prices. Alberta, responsible for 77 per cent of Cana-das conventional and oil sands production, will bear the brunt of the $5.2-billion loss in provincial government reve-nues on top of job losses in the tens of thousands, accord-ing to Kevin Hebner of JPMorgan Chase & Co., whose company warned Canadians, There will be blood. In Alberta alone, says the Conference Boards report, Total business investment could be down by $12 billion this year.

    And the effects of the slump will ripple across the country. There are two strong links between Alberta and the rest of the prov-inces, explains Michael Burt, director at the Conference Board of Canada. One is through the supply chain, the firms providing goods or services that are used by oil companies in Alberta. This supply chain represents every-thing from metal products to transportation services, to financial services or engineering, he says. Out-of-province employees are the other: about 3,000 people from Newfound-land were working in Alberta in 2014, and the numbers for B.C. and Saskatchewan arent far behind. Very conservatively, we estimate

    upwards of $1 billion, income people were earning in Alberta, going back to other prov-inces, says Burt.

    The slowdown in the oil patch in Alberta will likely increase the supply of skilled work-ers in the rest of the country, adds Richard Truscott, vice-president of B.C. and Alberta at the Canadian Federation of Indepen-dent Business (CFIB). But that does little to offset the effects of the cuts in the short term, which are deep: in January, Baker Hughes, Schlumberger Ltd. and Weatherford all announced between 7,000 and 9,000

    job cuts. Halliburton announced plans to lay off between six and eight per cent of its global workforce. Pengrowth Energy cut its capital spend-ing platform by 74

    per cent from last year, Shell announced a $15-billion spending cut, Civeo laid off 30 per cent of its Canadian workforce and Cenovus cut $700 million from its 2015 budget and halted expansions. Suncor, Canadian Natural Resources and Husky have all cut their bud-gets or halted expansions, or both.

    Still, there is a bright side if you look hard enough just not for most Canadians. There are provinces that will be better off, on net, says Burt. Ontarios GDP will actually im-prove by about 0.7 or 0.8 per cent in 2015, due firstly to the weaker dollar making exports more cost-competitive but also to lower prices at the pump. But these small benefits arent enough to mitigate the 0.4 per cent reduction in Canadas GDP, the $4.3-billion drop in federal government revenues and the eight to 10 cents that low oil prices have shaved off the loonie, says Burt.

    A

    This year is shaping up to be a pretty rough ride. If we dont see a rebound soon, its going to be a dark year

    for Alberta. Richard Truscott

    For drilling and completions specialists, CADE currently offers one of the best networking and knowledge sharing opportunities in the Canadian petroleum industry. As you look to build your business and launch new technologies, new products and services in the drilling industry, a CADE Sponsorship offers you a cost effective way to deliver your message directly to the entire membership of the leading industry association for Well Construction Professionals in Canada.

    YOUR SPONSORSHIP INCLUDES: Ads in Well Construction Journal, full of relevant industry news and articles, presented in a high quality, well-read magazine

    Your logo in the Thank you to our sponsors feature on the CADE website and in every issue of Well Construction Journal

    Your logo on the Thank you to our sponsors display at every CADE Technical Luncheon

    Authorized use of the CADE logo on your website and in marketing materials

    Connect with Canadas Drilling IndustryBecome a CADE Sponsor

    2014 SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES ARE NOW AVAILABLEContact CADE at 403.532.0220 or by email at [email protected]

    www.cadecanada.com

    Support CADE by sponsoring our technical lunches, our website and the Well Construction Journal.

    Thank You to Our SponsorsThe support of CADE sponsors plays an integral part in our associations success.

    Platinum SponsorsNewpark Drilling Fluids

    Pason Systems

    Gold SponsorsGlobal Steel Ltd.

    NCS Energy Services

    Schlumberger

    XI Technologies Inc.

    Silver SponsorsAkita Drilling Ltd.

    Lory Oilfield Rentals Inc.

    Petrosight Inc.

    SECURE Energy

    TRAC Energy Services

    000WCJ-CADE_Sponsor-FP.indd 1 2015-03-06 9:08 AMWCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p26-27.indd 26 2015-03-09 1:20 PM

  • For drilling and completions specialists, CADE currently offers one of the best networking and knowledge sharing opportunities in the Canadian petroleum industry. As you look to build your business and launch new technologies, new products and services in the drilling industry, a CADE Sponsorship offers you a cost effective way to deliver your message directly to the entire membership of the leading industry association for Well Construction Professionals in Canada.

    YOUR SPONSORSHIP INCLUDES: Ads in Well Construction Journal, full of relevant industry news and articles, presented in a high quality, well-read magazine

    Your logo in the Thank you to our sponsors feature on the CADE website and in every issue of Well Construction Journal

    Your logo on the Thank you to our sponsors display at every CADE Technical Luncheon

    Authorized use of the CADE logo on your website and in marketing materials

    Connect with Canadas Drilling IndustryBecome a CADE Sponsor

    2014 SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES ARE NOW AVAILABLEContact CADE at 403.532.0220 or by email at [email protected]

    www.cadecanada.com

    Support CADE by sponsoring our technical lunches, our website and the Well Construction Journal.

    Thank You to Our SponsorsThe support of CADE sponsors plays an integral part in our associations success.

    Platinum SponsorsNewpark Drilling Fluids

    Pason Systems

    Gold SponsorsGlobal Steel Ltd.

    NCS Energy Services

    Schlumberger

    XI Technologies Inc.

    Silver SponsorsAkita Drilling Ltd.

    Lory Oilfield Rentals Inc.

    Petrosight Inc.

    SECURE Energy

    TRAC Energy Services

    000WCJ-CADE_Sponsor-FP.indd 1 2015-03-06 9:08 AMWCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p26-27.indd 27 2015-03-06 9:09 AM

  • 000WCJ-Pason-FP.indd 1 2014-12-15 9:51 AMWCJ_Mar-Apr_15_p28-01.indd 28 2015-03-06 8:32 AM