SASKATCHEWAN
2022
REPORT
MANITOBA SCALLION – Will a 12-barrel-per-day oil discovery lead to the next big Williston Play?
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40934510
ENERGY TRANSITION: Transforming the future today DEEP CEO Kirsten Marcia pilots Canada’s first geothermal power project in southeast Saskatchewan SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 1
2 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES WEYBURN, SASKATCHEWAN ABOUT US Potential investors are knocking on Weyburn’s door and for good reason: for three consecutive years, Weyburn is the Best Place to Live in the Prairies (Money Sense Magazine). With a young workforce, high median income, and estimated annual household spending nearing $300 million, Weyburn is the perfect place to live and invest.
REASONS TO CONSIDER WEYBURN, SK Located on three major highways Rail connectivity to Western Canada and rail centres in Chicago and Minneapolis 30,000 trading area population World class facility, the Weyburn Industrial Transload (WIT) Third lowest commercial property taxes in SK Second lowest residential property taxes in SK
Weyburn Regional Economic Development 11 - 3rd Street NE | Weyburn, SK S4H 0W1 (306) 842.4738 info@weyburneconomicdevelopment.com
www.weyburneconomicdevelopment.com www.townfolio.co
in this issue 8 Message from the Premier of Saskatchewan, Scott Moe
SASKATCHEWAN ENERGY Report
40 Bert Baxter Transport: A business built on quality service
12 Message from the Minister of Energy 42 Energy transition: Transforming and Resources, Bronwyn Eyre
16 Message from Minister of Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson
22 Prairie Lithium: All’s well that ends (lithium) well
24 Manitoba Scallion – Will a
12-barrel-per-day oil discovery lead to the next big Williston Play?
26 Williston Basin Petroleum
Conference pivots to feature all subsurface possibilities
30 DEEP CEO Kirsten Marcia
pilots Canada’s first geothermal power project in southeast Saskatchewan
32 Fort Garry Fire Trucks: One tough truck
34 Husky Midstream Pipeline
expansion ramps up, first project completed under Oil Infrastructure Investment Plan
36 BOSS Lubricants: Serving Canadian companies for 30 years
8 Superior corrosion protection for 3 the steel industry
the future today
4 4 George Gordon First Nation Climate Observatory: An Indigenous community-based climate monitoring program
46 Six decades strong 48 Southeast College and Vermilion Energy team up for brighter futures
50 PTRC begins expansion of its research program
52 IFR Workwear: The go-to brand for FR clothing and accessories
54 Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd. does it all
56 Nuclear energy could help costeffectively decarbonize Canada’s heavy industry
58 Weyburn: A great place to work, play, and stay
60 Sparking youth careers in Saskatchewan’s renewable energy sector
62 Western Underground Consulting Ltd.: From humble beginnings to growth and success
index to advertisers Annugas Compression Consulting Ltd.......................5 B&B Oilfield Hauling/Integrity Oilfield Hauling.......... 27 Bert Baxter Transport Ltd........................................17 BOSS Lubricants......................................................13 Canadian Nuclear Association................................. 57 DAAM Galvanizing......................................................9 DEEP Earth Energy Production........................... 18-19 Department of Economy Saskatchewan...................41 Electricity Human Resources Canada.......................61 Fast Trucking Service Ltd....................................... 43 Flaretech Inc........................................................... 43 Fluor Canada Ltd/................................................. IBC Fort Garry Fire Trucks............................................. 33 Good To Go Trucking............................................... 25 Goodon Industries Ltd............................................. 62 Goodwater Machine Shop (1986) Ltd......................... 25 Graham..................................................................IFC IFR Workwear Inc................................................. OBC Level Best Technologies Ltd.................................... 53
4 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
Major Oil & Gas Ltd.................................................. 25 Meridian Manufacturing Inc..................................... 45 Netzsch Canada, Inc...........................................28-29 OSY Rentals............................................................ 59 Petroleum Technology Research Centre............. 20-21 Right Choice Energy Services Inc............................ 47
is published by: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, MB R3L 0G5 www.delcommunications.com President & CEO: DAVID LANGSTAFF Managing Editor: CINDY CHAN cindy@delcommunications.com Advertising Sales Manager: DAYNA OULION dayna@delcommunications.com Advertising Sales Representatives: COLIN JAMES ROSS JAMES MICHELLE RAIKE DAN ROBERTS ANTHONY ROMEO Production services provided by: S.G. Bennett Marketing Services Creative Director / Layout & Design: KATHLEEN CABLE Cover Photo Courtesy of: DAAM GALVANIZING © 2022 DEL Communications Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the informationcontained in and the reliability of the source, the publisher in no way guarantees nor warrants the information and is not responsible for errors, omissions or statements made by advertisers. Opinions and recommendations made by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees.
SaskTel..................................................................... 7 Southeast College................................................... 49 Titan Environmental Containment............................51 Transcourt Tank Leasing......................................... 49 Tremcar West Inc.................................................... 37 Triton Environmental Consultants........................... 55 WBPC 2022.........................................................10-11 Western Underground Consulting Ltd.................. 14-15 Weyburn Oil Show Board & Oil & Gas Show.................6 Weyburn Regional Economic Development & Weyburn Chamber of Commerce........................3 Wicehtowak Limnos Consulting Services Ltd.......... 35
Publications mail agreement #40934510 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, MB R2L 0G5 Email: david@delcommunications.com PRINTED IN CANADA | 02/2022
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MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER OF SASKATCHEWAN
SCOTT MOE On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2022 edition of the Saskatchewan Energy Report. Saskatchewan is proud to be Canada’s second largest oil producer. As demand for oil is expected to continue increasing and remain high for decades, we are well-positioned to see a strong recovery in our oil and gas sector. Our oil industry is vital to building a stronger, more resilient Saskatchewan. The oil and gas industry contributes 15 per cent of our gross domestic product, and supports over 30,000 fulltime jobs and many communities in Saskatchewan. As well, royalties and other revenue sourced from the oil and gas sector help to provide high quality services and public infrastructure. The Government of Saskatchewan launched the Accelerated Site Closure Program (ASCP), in partnership with the federal government and the Saskatchewan Research Council. The ASCP applies $400 million in federal funding for the abandonment and reclamation of up to 8,000 inactive oil and gas wells and facilities, over two years. The program prioritizes Saskatchewan based oil and gas service companies and is expected to support approximately 2,100 full-time equivalent jobs. The First Nations Stewardship Fund and the Indigenous Business Credit Pool are two initiatives that will direct ASCP funding to support First Nations and Métis participation in the program. Our government has many incentives in place to maintain an attractive investment climate in the province and get our resources to market. Recently, Husky Midstream completed the first project under our Oil Infrastructure Investment Program (OIIP). Their Saskatchewan Gathering System Expansion pipeline project increased crude oil shipping capacity by 48,000 barrels per day. There are many Saskatchewan projects benefiting from our other freehold royalty credit incentives, the Oil and Gas Processing Investment Incentive (OGPII), and the Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive (SPII). Enbridge’s completion of their Line 3 replacement pipeline is more great news for Saskatchewan. The project will almost double current oil transport capacity and includes state of
8 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
the art technology and safety measures, further proving that pipelines are the safest, most reliable way to move our oil to markets. Seventy per cent of Saskatchewan’s oil runs through the Enbridge Mainline, which includes Line 3 and connects to Line 5. Our government is actively supporting the efforts to prevent Enbridge Line 5 from being shut down, which would have serious impacts on North America’s energy security. We will continue to stand up for our industry by making the environmental and economic case for pipelines. Leading environmentalists agree that emissions reduction targets cannot be achieved without CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR), that emits 82 per cent fewer emissions than traditional extraction methods. Saskatchewan is a world leader in carbon capture utilization and storage technology (CCUS) and EOR. Our government recently outlined our priorities for CCUS, which include expanding our OIIP initiative to include CO2 pipelines and increasing our competitiveness in EOR. We commend and support our industry in their diligent efforts and investments to reduce emissions. This year, we saw Whitecap Resources and Federated Co-operatives Limited sign a memorandum of understanding to explore opportunities around shifting to CCUS, EOR and CO2 transportation infrastructure. This is just the beginning as we anticipate CCUS projects will attract provincial investment of more than $2 billion and sequester over two million tonnes of CO2 annually. Our government will continue to use Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan as our road map for a decade of growth in the province. Including, working toward achieving our Growth Plan goal of expanding oil production to reach 600,000 barrels per year by 2030. On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, we thank our oil and gas industry for their contributions to our province. We know you will continue to be at the forefront as we grow our economy.
Scott Moe
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Plan to Attend
The conference will showcase technical innovation centred around emissions reduction, CO2 sequestration, innovations in EOR, helium, hydrogen, geothermal, as well as advancements in heavy oil, light and tight oil, advanced energy systems and advanced technologies.
Regina, Saskatchewan
May 17 - 18, 2022 ATTEND
PRESENT Hosted By
EXHIBIT
MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND RESOURCES
BRONWYN EYRE Firstly, I would like to thank members of the Saskatchewan energy sector and their families, for your resilience in the face of so many challenges over the past few years. Despite those challenges, I would encourage you to spread the word to young people and those considering a new career about the strength, growth, and sustainability of our Saskatchewan oil and gas sector, which makes up 15 per cent of our gross domestic product and supports more than 30,000 full-time jobs in communities across Saskatchewan. In our provincial Growth Plan, released in 2019, we committed to increasing Saskatchewan oil production by 20 per cent over the next decade. This past year, as drilling and oil production have come back online, we have built, as a province, on our traditional strengths, while continuing to diversify into new and emerging areas. I tell our positive energy story wherever I go. Just last month, I was in Houston, Texas, promoting Saskatchewan to investors and stakeholders at the World Petroleum Congress and Helium Super Summit. There’s a lot to tell: In September 2021, our government outlined priorities for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCUS), including for new, privately led CO2 pipeline expansions. As a world leader in carbon capture, particularly with enhanced oil recovery, we want to be the most competitive jurisdiction in Canada to invest in CCUS technology and infrastructure. We are also looking at other emerging sectors, such as lithium. Global demand for lithium is expected to grow five-fold by 2030, and Saskatchewan is wellpositioned to make the most of its potential. Prairie Lithium Corporation, a Regina-based lithium technology development company, has shown strong results in extracting lithium from Saskatchewan oilfield brines. Another strong, emerging sector in Saskatchewan is helium. In November, our government released a Helium Action Plan, which outlines how the province aims to
12 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
become a world leader in helium production and supply ten per cent of global demand by 2030. In April 2021, North American Helium opened its $30-million Battle Creek Helium Purification Facility, the largest in Canada. In May 2021, Saskatoon-based Royal Helium announced a significant helium discovery at its Climax project, which has the potential to be one of the largest helium discoveries in Saskatchewan history. Our government is committed to building our energy sector, including through incentives such as the Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive (SPII) and the Oil and Gas Processing Investment Incentive (OGPII), which offer transferable royalty and production tax credits for innovative, made-in-Saskatchewan research and infrastructure projects. Under both programs, government investment follows up-front private investment. Finally, in December, we announced the third and final phase of the Accelerated Site Closure Program (ASCP), with the allocation of an additional $55 million in funding to eligible companies. In its first 18 months, the ASCP, which supports Saskatchewan-based oil and gas service companies to conduct abandonment and reclamation work of inactive wells and facilities, has been very successful and created high-quality service sector jobs. More than 575 Saskatchewan-based companies have carried out over 5,500 well site reclamation and remediation projects in every oil and gas region of the province. To date, $316 million in contracts has been issued, and more than $152 million has been paid for work already completed. On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I would like to thank you again for all you do to help make our province’s energy sector a world leader. Happy 2022!
Bronwyn Eyre
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MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES
JONATHAN WILKINSON The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss pose enormous threats to global security and economic well-being around the world. Canada, alongside others in the international community, must rapidly reduce carbon emissions to fight climate change and grow the clean economy. Confronting climate change in thoughtful ways offers the potential for significant economic opportunities for businesses, communities, and workers here in Canada and around the world. As we set sights toward net-zero by mid-century, our energy sector in Saskatchewan has already been playing – and will continue to play – a central role. I grew up in Saskatchewan, earned my bachelor’s degree at U of S, worked for the provincial government for a number of years, and spent many years in the business community. I know about life on the prairies: the sense of community, the resilience, and the innovative spirit we hold. Now, as Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, I am committed to working with the people, businesses, and government of Saskatchewan to harness those values and pave a pathway to a clean energy future. Before I got into politics, I spent almost two decades working as a CEO and senior executive in clean tech. I saw firsthand how economic opportunities, new revenue streams, and good jobs were created by developing technologies and innovations that could solve some of our biggest environmental challenges, whether it was biofuels, hydrogen, water treatment, or renewable energy. The potential is real, and it’s in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan’s potential for clean energy is in DEEP Earth Energy Production Corporation’s planned geothermal power production facility – a first of its kind in Canada – which will create new jobs in southern Saskatchewan, while eliminating the equivalent emissions of taking 34,000 cars off the road for one year. It’s in Covenant Energy’s planned biofuel plant, which will
16 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel from canola and cut emissions by 80 to 85 per cent when compared to fossil fuel diesel. And it’s in the skilled and innovative workers who will build a clean energy future that creates good jobs for workers right here at home. Clean energy jobs are predicted to double in Saskatchewan, and employment in hydrogen technologies is projected to grow 24 per cent annually in the second half of this decade – and our government is here to help. That’s why, since October 2020, we have announced over $53 billion towards a clean economic recovery that will expand on our success as: • the third-largest producer of hydroelectricity; • a global leader in new solar and wind power; and • a driver of clean fuels production, including hydrogen and biofuels. Let me be clear. The shift to a net-zero economy will not happen overnight. Many Canadians use oil and natural gas to heat their homes and businesses; even more use gasoline to power their vehicles for work and travel. But Canada’s leading oil and gas producers share our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 because they, too, know that’s where we must go in order to drive economic growth in the years and decades to come. Strategic investments will help Saskatchewan companies adopt innovative net-zero technologies, lower emissions, and attract the large-scale investments needed to reach our climate targets and ensure prosperity for families in all provinces and territories. Saskatchewan can lead the way on many fronts, from clean fuels and uranium to carbon capture, use and storage. This is no easy task, but together, we can build a cleaner, more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.
• General oilfield hauling • Hotshot service • Pipe custodian • Picker/Bed/Winch trucks • Forklift service • Common carrier for Canada and United States • Inter-provincial Manitoba/ Saskatchewan/Alberta/British Columbia ACE/FAST/COR Approved
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About DEEP: DEEP is a Saskatchewan privately held corporation with a mission to develop Saskatchewan’s geothermal resources for power generation. DEEP’s vision is to be a producer of secure stable and sustainable energy. DEEP is developing a unique geothermal (or earth heat) power facility in southern Saskatchewan. This project will establish the first geothermal power facility in Canada. What is Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy is a clean, renewable source of both power and heat that comes from the natural heat generated from the earth’s core. It is a constant energy source that is exploited using proven technology that provides baseload (24 hours a day, 365 days a year) power. Once operational, geothermal power generation creates no Greenhouse Gas emissions and has one of the smallest surface footprints per unit output of any power supply option. A geothermal resource requires three key variables; heat source, a permeable rock to transfer heat, and a medium (usually water) to bring the heat resource to surface.
DEEP | EARTH | ENERGY | PRODUCTION
Geothermal Benefits BASELOAD POWER – Unlike other renewables, geothermal provides constant baseload power. Where wind power is only produced when it is windy and solar power is only produced when it is sunny, geothermal will produce power 24/7. Green – Zero carbon-based fuel consumption and facilities have a small surface footprint with very little interference with local wildlife or surrounding communities. ONGOING SUPPLY – With proper reservoir management, geothermal resources can be a reliable source of energy for multiple decades of continuous clean power generation. BUILDING ON INNOVATION – The DEEP project will continue to draw on the incredible workforce and knowledge base that have spent years developing the Western Canadian oil and gas industry. The people and services from the oil and gas industry are exactly what the geothermal industry needs to move forward and succeed. ECONOMIC BENEFITS – Geothermal power can be the lowest levelized cost of electricity when compared to other renewables. In addition, the production cost fluctuations associated with commodity-based energy sources such as coal, natural gas, oil and nuclear do not apply to geothermal. Future carbon tax burdens will not effect the development of geothermal power, as they will not apply.
www.deepcorp.ca
CORPORATE OFFICE: THE ATRIUM 316 – 111 RESEARCH DRIVE, SASKATOON, SK CANADA S7N 3R2 INFO@DEEPCORP.CA l TEL: 639-638-0484
Sustainable Energy from the Earth PTRC IS A LEADER IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
R&D THAT REDUCES THE CARBON FOOTPRINT AND INCREASES THE PRODUCTION OF ALL FORMS OF SUBSURFACE ENERGY
Prairie Lithium:
ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS (LITHIUM) WELL Lithium materials in various stages of extraction. Photo supplied by Government of Saskatchewan.
Lithium is having a moment in Saskatchewan, and it doesn’t seem to be disappearing any time soon. Prairie Lithium has drilled the first-ever targeted lithium well in Saskatchewan, according to Zach Maurer, president and CEO. The idea for the company was established in early 2017 when he was interested in what resources were needed in the future, where they came from, and how they are mined. “One of the resources that kept topping the list was lithium associated with batteries and electric vehicles (EVs),” Maurer says. “At the time in 2017, batteries and EVs were still more ‘if’ than ‘when’; they weren’t as mainstream as they are today.” Lithium piqued Maurer’s interest as a lot of it was coming from saltwater brines, something that Saskatchewan has plenty of as a by-product of oil and gas. Maurer asked himself if anyone had
22 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
Prairie Lithium’s dedicated lithium well being drilled near Torquay. Photo supplied by Prairie Lithium.
In 2020, the company developed their own extraction technology that essentially eliminated the need for evaporation ponds, allowing them to pump brine and remove lithium so that they can return the brine back in the ground without any lithium.
Currently, lithium can only be mined two ways: evaporation ponds and hard rock. This method of mining reduces that superficial environment of what is originally thought of lithium mines.
sampled those brines. He then proposed a master study to the University of Regina to understand the origin and evolution of lithium. Working evenings and weekends outside of his day job throughout 2017 and 2018, Maurer began to understand the hydrochemistry happening in the subsurface and pinpointing why lithium was located in certain areas. “That research led me to incorporating Prairie Lithium in 2019,” Maurer says. Nowadays, Prairie Lithium is a lithium resource and technology developer situated in Williston Basin, Saskatchewan. Maurer describes the company as a two-headed monster with dual streams: technology and resource. In 2020, the company developed their own extraction technology that essentially eliminated the need for evaporation ponds, allowing them to pump brine and remove lithium so that they can return the brine back in the ground without any lithium.
“Our process is identical to oil and gas, but we’ve eliminated the inefficiencies associated with conventional lithium mining, shrinking that environmental footprint by 95 per cent,” Maurer explains. “We also reduced the freshwater intensity of that process.” “Once we had the process where we were comfortable with commercialization, we focused on resource acquisition and verifications in 2021,” Maurer says. Prairie Lithium then purchased land through a Crown mineral sale in spring 2021 to conduct their resource assessment. “We hired a drilling team to put together a program and went out to drill the well in September, and production and pump testing throughout October. What we saw from results were very encouraging.” Prairie Lithium qualified for both the Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund and Saskatchewan Petroleum Investment Incentive, and also recently signed an agreement with Saskatoonbased DEEP (Deep Earth Energy Production), which forms an area of mutual interest for lithium exploration.
Maurer says they applied for the Advantage Innovation Fund right out of the gate in 2019 to develop their extraction technology. They were successful in the first and second rounds. The fund was solely dedicated to the technology development throughout 2020 and first half of 2021. As for the Investment Incentive, a royalty-accredited incentive program, Prairie Lithium submitted their eligible expenditures to get 25 per cent of those expenditures back in the form of royalty credit. As a result, they ended up with credits to apply against future resource production. “As a developing company in exploration stages, we don’t pay a royalty in production because we don’t have production, so we can sell credits at a discount to a company,” Maurer says. Prairie Lithium’s goal for the next few years is to commercialize lithium extraction technology as the demand for batteries and EVs increase because the demand for lithium will increase as well. “What we see is there are not enough mines to meet that demand, so we need to get this technology commercialized and go into production in the next five years,” Maurer says. For more information, visit prairielithium.ca. SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 23
Manitoba Scallion –
WILL A 12-BARREL-PER-DAY OIL DISCOVERY LEAD TO THE NEXT BIG WILLISTON PLAY? Tucked away in the far Northeast area of the Williston Basin
Major has identified an anomalously high geothermal heat gradient here that puts the water of this aquifer in a geothermally exploitable temperature range
in Manitoba are the eroded subcrop edges of the Virden and Scallion Members of the Mississippian Lodgepole Formation. In the Souris area, Major Oil & Gas Ltd. has made a 12-barrelper-day discovery at 4-31-6-21W1, in the Scallion zone. This is the most updip oil discovery ever made in this region. Updip of this discovery are hundreds of square miles of undrilled territory. Talk about a red flag, an invitation to oil explorers
the Scallion in the area. In the adjacent Souris-Hartney Field,
with the message that the oil is here – come and get it!
the Virden has produced over two million barrels. Previously, industry believed that Souris-Hartney was the most updip
Manitoba already hosts a few vertical Scallion wells that have
remnant of Virden porosity, but this new data suggests an
produced over one million barrels in the Virden Field 40 miles
extension or outlier about the same size as Souris-Hartney may
away. The Scallion in the Souris area has characteristics that could lead to similar wells as well. Features such as 20 metres
be found a couple miles updip.
of 20 to 30 per cent rock, medium gravity oil, only 600 metres
Here, the Virden and Scallion plays overlap, so there is a chance
deep in an area with virtually no drilling, make this enticing.
to test two plays with one shallow vertical test. Major has proposed a 3D seismic survey as key to optimize the location
As if the Scallion isn’t enough, Major has seismic data that
to test both zones. If either zone comes in, it will lead to many
shows the oil-prone Virden Member is preserved on top of
years of development. This is especially true for the Scallion because nobody knows how far updip the oil has migrated.
T15
R29
R27
R25
R23
R21
R19
R17W1
T15
T13
T13
T11
T11
There is also geothermal green energy potential in the prolific Winnipeg sandstone reservoir. Major has identified an anomalously high geothermal heat gradient here that puts the water of this aquifer in a geothermally exploitable temperature
VIRD B MEM EN
VIRDEN
RMATION E FO (SC OL AL
B SU
CR P O
VIRDEN FIELD
L
ER
T9
O D GE P
Duperow and Red River formations being exploited for lithium LIO N
MB
R)
T9 ER
OSIO
NA L EDG
GE ED
T7
DAILY FIELD
NEW SCALLION FAIRWAY?
SLOPE
SHELF
T3
In today’s competitive world, it is a rare opportunity to find an area that has so much potential that checks so many boxes.
SOURIS-HARVEY FIELD
T5
nearby, and a compelling argument can be made for deepening a Virden/Scallion test at minimal additional cost.
E
SOURIS
T7
range. Couple that with testing of the lithium-rich brines of the
T5
Shallow, conventional, higher-priced medium gravity oil, friendly jurisdiction, minimal pipeline constraints, year-round
MAJOR’S SOURIS PROSPECT T3
access, unexplored updip area covering hundreds of square miles, most land is open, leasable, freehold with no competition (for now) and even geothermal and lithium potential. Parties
T1
SASKATCHEWAN
MANITOBA NORTH DAKOTA
24 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
T1
interested in joining with Major to explore this area can contact Major Oil & Gas at (403) 510-5513 for additional information.
Major Oil & & Gas Ltd. Ltd. Major Oil Gas
Multi ZoneProspect Drilling Prospect Prospect Dual Zone Drilling ManitobaManitoba Multi Zone Drilling R29 R29
T15 T15
R27 R27
R23 R23
R25 R25
R21 R21
R19 R19
R17W1 R17W1
T13 T13
T15 T15
T13 T13
MAJOR’S SOURIS PROSPECT T11 T11
T11 T11
VIRDEN VIRDEN FIELD FIELD
GEE DG EED PP OO LL RR BCC SUUB RR S MBBEE MEEM M DEENN VVIIRRD
VIRDEN VIRDEN
T9 T9
ATTIIO MA RM FOR ON N ((SSC LEE FO CAAL OL PO O LLLIIO OD GEE P DG ONN M MBB RR) ) EER RO OS SIIO ON NA ALL E ED DG GEE
SOURIS SOURIS
T7 T7
T9 T9
T7 T7
DAILY DAILY FIELD FIELD SOURIS-HARVEY SOURIS-HARVEY FIELD FIELD
T5 T5
NEW NEW SCALLION SCALLION FAIRWAY? FAIRWAY?
SLOPE
SHELF
MAJOR’S SOURIS PROSPECT
T3 T3
T1 T1
SASKATCHEWAN SASKATCHEWAN
T5 T5
T3 T3
T1 T1
MANITOBA MANITOBA NORTH NORTH DAKOTA DAKOTA
Sayer Energy Advisors has been engaged to assist Major Oil & Gas • Major is open any and all transactions Property, includingoil Ltd. (“Major” or to the “Company”) with therelating farmouttoorthesale of its shallow a seismic option, a farmout, a sale of the Property or the sale of the shares prospects in the Souris area of southwestern Manitoba (the “Property”). of the Company. ● Major is open to any and all transactions relating to the Property, a seismic option, farmout, sale of Property orfor the sale • Atincluding Souris, Major has land whicha has been aproven tothe be prospective of the shares of thedeep) Company. shallow (600 metres medium gravity oil (30° API) from dual targets Upper Virden and Scallion within the Lodgepole Major has various zones interests (mainly 100%) inFormation. six sections of ●inAttheSouris, land which have been proven to be prospective for shallow (600 • Offsetting the Company’s land at oil Souris the Souris-Hartney Pool, metres deep) medium gravity (30°isAPI) production from dualwhich targets has produced in excess of two million bbl from the Upper Virden to in the Upper Virden and Scallion porosity zones within the Zone Lodgepole date. Aided by its proprietary 2D seismic, Major has mapped a significant Formation. Upper Virden oil prospect, which sits approximately two miles updip of the Offsetting thePool, Company’s at Souristo isextend the Souris-Hartney Pool, ●Souris-Hartney setting upland the potential the field a significant which has produced in excess of two million bbl from the Upper Virden distance to the northeast. Zone to date. Aided by its proprietary 2D seismic, Major has mapped a Virden prospect on itsnorthwest land at Souris, which • Insignificant the Virden Upper Field, which is oil located 40 miles of Souris, a sits at the most updipoil edge of the proven number of vertical wells have produced overUpper a millionVirden barrels oil eachfairway from approximately updip setting up the Scallion Zone.two Themiles Scallion Zoneofinthe theSouris-Hartney Souris area has Pool, characteristics, the potential to extend the fairway to the northeast. including a potential reservoir with upatosignificant 20 metresdistance of 20-30% porosity, that could lead to similar wells. In the Virden Field, which is located 40 miles northwest of Souris, a ● number of vertical oil wells have produced over a million barrels each • Directly underlying play Scallion are geothermal lithium brinearea has from the ScallionMajor’s Zone.oilThe Zone and in the Souris exploration possibilities. characteristics, including a potential reservoir with up to 20 metres of 20-30% porosity, that could lead to similar wells.
ForFor more information please contact Major Oil & Gas Ltd. at 403.510.5513 more information please contact: Sayer Energy Advisors at 403.266.6133 or visit www.sayeradvisors.com.
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306-456-2560 Located in Weyburn Oilfield – Highway 35 South Box 28, Goodwater, SK S0C 1E0 goodwatermachine@sasktel.net www.goodwatermachine.ca
www.gOOdtOgOkiNdERsLEY.CA Celebrating 30 years in Kindersley!
SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 25
Williston Basin Petroleum Conference
PIVOTS TO FEATURE ALL SUBSURFACE POSSIBILITIES
2019 booth at the conference.
2019 conference from the front.
It’s coming on three years since Regina hosted the Williston
“In the past, the Williston Basin Conference has had some
Basin Petroleum Conference. Normally, Saskatchewan takes
papers and technical presentations looking at these other
over hosting the event on odd-numbered years (the last
commodities,” noted Melinda Yurkowski, assistant chief
occurred pre-pandemic in May of 2019), with even numbered
geologist at the Saskatchewan Geological Survey. “But this
years hosted in Bismarck by the North Dakota Petroleum
upcoming event will have complete sessions dedicated to many
Council (NDPC).
of these subsurface sources of energy and materials.”
That routine was disrupted in a major way when North Dakota
“Of course we will also be focusing strongly on oil and gas,
faced hosting its version of the WBPC just as the pandemic
considering their importance in the Basin as a whole,” said Erik
began to have a big impact in 2020. Through discussions with
Nickel, director of operations at the PTRC. “But we are also
the Canadian organizers – the PTRC and the Government of
cognizant of the environmental, social and governance issues
Saskatchewan – it was decided NDPC would forgo a conference
that many energy companies are facing. We want the WBPC to
in 2020. In exchange for Canada agreeing to move the ND event to May of 2021, the regular alternation between countries
help address those.”
changed. Even numbered years are now when Saskatchewan
The trade show component of the 2022 Saskatchewan version
hosts, with odd numbered moving to North Dakota.
of the conference is looking for companies with innovative
Timing is not the only thing that’s transitioned for the WBPC. May 17 to 18, 2022 will see the event focus more strongly on all the sources of energy in the earth – from the potential for geothermal from reservoirs Canada and the United States, to
technologies in a wide array of areas. Oilfield emissions improvements like Methane reductions, CO2 capture and storage technologies, commodity extraction technologies – all will be of interest to attendees.
the burgeoning lithium extraction industry in Saskatchewan,
A call for papers is coming in December 2021 (deadline likely
to CO2 storage to help mitigate emissions in oil and gas,
late January 2022) and registration at the WBPC website
and, finally to identifying and exploiting other subsurface
should also begin in December. Visit https://wbpc.ca for more
commodities like helium and hydrogen.
details.
26 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
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• 40-Ton Picker & Trailer
We not only supply our services to the oilfield, but have a lot of experience delivering equipment to Potash and Mining Sites. We take care of all permits and pilots as required. We have also been known to help a farmer out a time or two! Give Bruce a call @ 306-485-7535. Rates available upon request.
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DEEP CEO Kirsten Marcia pilots Canada’s first geothermal power project in southeast Saskatchewan
By Rob Norris
In September 2021, Globe and Mail reporter Emma Graney shared an insight from University of Calgary professor Sara Hastings-Simon: “there’s a bit of a geothermal renaissance” underway. On the prairies, this fresh focus on geothermal energy is turning toward a specific company: Saskatoon-based DEEP, Deep Earth Energy Production Corporation, and its president, Kirsten Marcia, P. Geo. A 2022 Clean50 honouree for promoting green energy, DEEP’s founder, director, as well as president and CEO, Kirsten grew up in Estevan, graduated from the University of Saskatchewan, and is a professional geoscientist and an experienced resource entrepreneur. For over two decades, Kirsten has been in exploration, including diamonds, gold and base metals, coal, uranium, as well as oil and gas. She’s also a practical promoter of sustainable development, social mobility, and good governance. Featured in another Globe and Mail piece, about 30 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
how “a new energy economy offers a
Reflecting Canada’s commitments
options. DEEP also drilled a horizontal
chance to bridge gender gaps,” Kirsten
on climate and carbon, in 2019 Prime
well in October 2020. Globally, this is
explains “it’s such a refreshing tailwind,
Minister Trudeau announced more than
the first horizontal well to be drilled
compared to the headwind that I had early
$25 million to bolster DEEP’s work. The
for the purpose of geothermal power
on in my career.”
investment aimed to support about half
generation.
Another aspect of the president’s commitment to ESG principles is DEEP’s partnership with the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence. Discussions are also
of a $50-million, five-megawatt power facility. DEEP has now optimized the design and is preparing for a 20-to-32megawatt facility, supplying sufficient power for about 32,000 households.
Unlike other sources of renewable power, once this geothermal power plant is operational, its energy is “always on,” providing safe, reliable, sustainable baseload power. Because of Kirsten’s
underway with the Métis Nation of
While negotiating a scaled-up contract,
experience, another opportunity was
Saskatchewan. Simply, DEEP seeks to
DEEP holds a power-purchase
spotted: waste flare gas. Capturing
work strategically with Saskatchewan-
agreement with SaskPower. Aligned
it. Converting it to power. Using it to
based Indigenous partners.
with Saskatchewan’s environmental
mitigate DEEP’s parasitic loads. Further
plan, SaskPower is reducing its
reducing emissions by 60,000 mtCO2.
And as a green energy leader, Kirsten is shaping this new energy sector by
greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
And Kirsten’s commitment to inclusive
diversifying Canada’s energy portfolio
After more than a decade of tireless
innovation attracts private capital.
and creating private sector energy jobs,
work, Kirsten’s visionary efforts are
Building on the $25 million in Canadian
all while encouraging durable regional
paying off. Construction of DEEP’s
private equity already raised, in February
economic development in southern
power project is scheduled to start in
2021, with the close of an oversubscribed
Saskatchewan, estimated to be worth $1
2022.
private placement offering, the
billion.
Drawing on Saskatchewan-based,
president highlights that “this is a clear demonstration of support for our
Highlighting DEEP, a 2020 federal
world-class oilfield expertise, DEEP
document, A Healthy Environment and a
recently drilled the six deepest wells –
Healthy Economy, explains “geothermal
about 3,500 metres – into the Canadian
Drawing on the vision, values and
energy harnesses heat from the earth’s
side of the Williston Sedimentary Basin,
experience of Kirsten Marcia, DEEP is
crust and transforms it into electricity to
accessing hot geothermal brine for
positioned to be a new energy leader in
power homes and businesses year-round.”
power generation and direct heating
Western Canada.
geothermal power facility.”
SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 31
FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS:
ONE TOUGH TRUCK
Our motto at Fort Garry Fire Trucks is ‘One Tough Truck’. Just how tough are we talking? Many of the vehicles that roll out of our Canadian manufacturing plant will be called upon to work in some of the most inhospitable conditions on the planet. That includes everything from bone-chilling lows of minus-60 degrees Celsius in Canada’s north to blistering highs of 50 degrees Celsius in desert climates halfway around the world. And they often have to travel on some of the most treacherous roads known to man to get to where they need to go.
little as a few weeks or as long as a year. It’s part of an effort to determine what the customer’s precise needs are; whether it’s command lights that can illuminate an entire football field or cameras that offer facial recognition from as far as a mile away, Fort Garry Fire Trucks can customize it for you.
Fort Garry Fire Trucks is Canada’s oldest and largest manufacturer of firefighting apparatus, and we sell more than 100 rigs in a typical year. While the bulk of those sales are here in Canada, where we supply equipment to every province, we also serve our neighbours to the south in the United States and as far away as China, Chile, Cuba, Costa Rica, Pakistan, the Bahamas, and the United Arab Emirates. We boast one of the largest fire apparatus engineering departments among our competitors, devoted to the design and production of equipment for the most extreme conditions in the world.
Our full-framed aluminum extruded bodies utilizing 5083 salt water marine-grade aluminum include rescues, pumpers, pumper tankers, fire tankers, and aerial ladders. Our walk-in rescues, command rescues, and walk-around rescues are engineered for the harshest road conditions and environments in the world, while our maximum value (MXV) bodies are customized for flexibility and maximum performance with side-mount, top-mount, and top-mount enclosed options available and incorporating other world-class features into your apparatus. Our emergency rescue bodies provide fire departments with the performance of a pumper and the storage of a rescue. Be confident knowing you’re properly equipped for nearly any possible situation with our full-framed custom bodies.
With the exception of the commercial chassis used in some of our trucks, every aspect of design and construction is handled by our employees, from painting (we offer more than 160 shades of red) to pump assembly. As our company has grown over the years, so too have our product lines. We build everything from small rescue trucks all the way up to our top-of-the-line Bronto Skylift, with an articulating aerial device that can reach hard-toaccess spots. In fact, we now offer 130 product lines and over 10,000 options for our customers to choose from. One of our keys to success has been our willingness to listen to what our customers need, rather than telling them what we think they need. Our sales team undertakes an extensive consultation process with each new or existing customer, which can take as
Our Crusader pumpers are among the most dependable in the industry, featuring our form-framed body structure made from 5052 freshwater marine-grade aluminum and delivers more compartment space, a lower centre of gravity, and ergonomic side-mount or top-mount pump control configurations. Our Crusader tanks are designed for optimum performance and maneuverability also constructed with a form-framed body structure. At any scene, one crucial element is the availability of water; our tankers feature a wide range of tank capacities from 1,500 to 3,000 imperial gallons, along with a variety of portatank storage options your fire department can choose from. Whatever your fire department’s needs are, we guarantee it will be ‘One Tough Truck’.
32 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
Fort Garry Fire Trucks is the largest fire apparatus manufacturer in Canada and are proud builders of fire trucks, custom-built pumpers, aerial ladders, and related fire-fighting equipment. Our customers emanate from cities, towns, and municipalities throughout Canada, the U.S., and abroad with the harshest weather, climates, and terrain. Every aspect of design and construction is handled by Fort Garry employees, from painting to pump
assembly. As we have grown over the years, so too has our product lines. Fort Garry Fire Trucks builds everything from small rescue trucks all the way up to our top-of-theline Bronto Skylift rescue ladder platform, with an articulating aerial device that can reach hard-toaccess areas. In fact, Fort Garry now offers 130 product lines and over 12,000 options for customers to choose from for the most extreme conditions in the world—which is why we design “One Tough Truck.”
LANCE SPENCER Manitoba/Saskatchewan Regional Sales Manager CALL US FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FULL SPECIFICATIONS ON ANY OF OUR VEHICLES.
1-800-565-3473
HUSKY MIDSTREAM PIPELINE EXPANSION RAMPS UP, FIRST PROJECT COMPLETED UNDER OIL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PROGRAM These crude oil processing and transfer facilities at Spruce Lake Central are part of the recently completed Husky Midstream Saskatchewan Gathering System expansion project.
cent of eligible costs, for qualified projects that contribute to a significant increase in provincial pipeline capacity. The Saskatchewan government welcomed completion of the project, calling it a step towards meeting the province’s Growth Plan targets to increase oil production by 25 per cent to 600,000 barrels per day by 2030. The government also said the project will increase Saskatchewan oil producers’ access to processing and export infrastructure, supporting growth. Husky Midstream’s project, along with other anticipated new and expanded pipeline infrastructure, is helping to alleviate Husky Midstream General Partnership (HMGP) continued to safely and successfully deliver additional crude oil pipeline capacity in 2021 with the completion of its Saskatchewan Gathering System (SGS) Expansion project, the first to be brought into service under the provincial government’s Oil Infrastructure Investment Program (OIIP). The project provides new shipping capacity of up to 48,000 barrels per day of crude oil, with 62 kilometres of new pipeline and 12 kilometres of replacement pipe. The expansion resulted in an $82 million investment near Spruce Lake, about 100 kilometres northeast of Lloydminster, helping to support oil production growth and broader access to export markets. The project also created about 450 construction-related jobs at peak. “The Oil Infrastructure Investment Program is helping companies like ours invest in new transportation infrastructure that supports customers developing new production opportunities to attract investment to the province,” said Husky Midstream CEO Duane Rae. “The expansion project is operating well since coming on line and having a positive impact on oil transportation in Saskatchewan.” The OIIP was first introduced by the Ministry of Energy and Resources in 2020. The program offers transferable oil and gas royalty/freehold production tax credits, at a rate of 20 per 34 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
record level demand for rail and truck transportation for oil and, at the same time, is expected to contribute to reduced emissions and transportation costs for the energy sector, the government said in a July news release. Husky Midstream’s SGS carries blended crude and condensate between thermal plants in Saskatchewan and upgrading and refining facilities in the Lloydminster region, as well as Hardisty, Alberta. Since being created in 2016, Husky Midstream, has been working with its customers to undertake a multi-year expansion of the SGS. The timing of the various phases of the expansion has been adapted to customers’ crude oil production plans. The various expansion projects, including the latest phase, include connections to four new thermal facilities, line upgrades and extensions, and enhanced safety measures at river crossings. These phased expansions demonstrate Husky Midstream’s commitment to the west-central region of Saskatchewan, and to providing customers with a safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation solution. Cenovus Energy, which owns 35 per cent of Husky Midstream, became the operator after acquiring Husky Energy on January 1, 2021.
• 100% Indigenous owned consulting company • Environmental potash services monitoring/testing/assessments • Project management / stakeholder engagement • Security services 24/7
#234, 400 BROAD STREET, REGINA, SK S4R 1X3
P: 306-596-1119
E: sverot@wlcs.ca
BOSS LUBRICANTS:
Serving Canadian companies for 30 years
BOSS Lubricants has established itself as a top player in Canada’s lubricants industry by honouring the company’s core values implemented when it was founded in 1992: providing quality products and superior service at fair prices. For 30 years, this family-owned and operated business has grown as it navigated the roller coaster of boomand-bust economies and evolved with the times to remain on the cutting edge of the industry. From its inception, BOSS has been proudly Canadian-owned, offering Canadian-made products that work in the diverse and often extreme Canadian climate. BOSS possesses an impressive line of products, including gas and diesel engine oils, gear oils, tractor fluids, transmission fluids, hydraulic oils, synthetics, greases, coolants, and various environmentally friendly products. BOSS prides itself on providing a one-stop shopping experience for its customers. BOSS can fill tank trucks, drums, and totes, as well as one-litre, five-litre, and 20-litre pails. All products are tested by a third-party lab to ensure high-quality standards are maintained on every product they sell. Combining BOSS Lubricants’ vast product lines along with its strong distribution network across Canada it can reach all its customers in a quick and timely fashion. 36 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
“We continue to keep expanding and growing our company over the past 30 years. We have branches in Vancouver, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Regina, Brandon, and Toronto, while establishing 150 distributors across Canada,” says Murray Flegel, founder and CEO of BOSS Lubricants. During this period of unprecedented growth and expansion, BOSS has had to face the challenge of ensuring that its products continue to be of the highest quality going forward, while also ensuring sufficient storage space that could facilitate increased sales. Taking on this challenge, BOSS initiated several projects and upgrades in the Calgary location. “In the last five years, we have initiated multiple upgrades and renovations in our main location here in Calgary. Adding additional storage tanks, blending capacity and becoming ISO 9001:2015 certified has enabled us to maintain our high level of product quality and ultimately take on more sales volume,” says Jarrett Flegel, president of BOSS Lubricants. These upgrades and renovations at the Calgary location have allowed BOSS to double the amount of private labelling with OEMs and retailers it has done over the past five years. All manufacturing, blending, and distribution are done out
of the Calgary location, and as the company sales volume has grown, so has its need for increased tank storage capacity and space. Today BOSS can boast over 100 tanks, which provide a whopping total of 3.5 million litres of product storage capacity. This large storage capacity allows BOSS to have ample supply on hand for any of the high-quality products it provides to its customer base all within a controlled indoor environment while attempting to protect its customers from unnecessary price increases. From end to end, the renovated warehouse, plant, and office reflect the image BOSS is working hard to embody as a company: professional, wellorganized, state-of-the-art and pristine. BOSS has grown in an ever-evolving industry for the past 30 years, but its business model has remained consistent – ongoing investment in its technology, staff, and relationships with customers as it provides top-quality products and unbeatable service. The team is celebrating three decades of service in the industry, but they are not done yet. BOSS Lubricants will continue to expand its offerings, grow the business, and elevate the branding of its impressive product portfolio into the future.
YOUR KEY TO ONLINE & PRINT PUBLISHING SUCCESS. We offer outstandin g
creative and sales se rvices:
• E-newsletters
• Online directories • Websites • Full print publicatio ns (including magazin es, directories, newsl etters)
www.delcom munications .com
SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 37
SUPERIOR CORROSION PROTECTION FOR THE STEEL INDUSTRY Simply put, when exposed to the atmosphere all metals corrode. As such, 67 years ago Dick Daam recognized the need for a corrosion protection system that stood the test of time. Founded in 1954, a small kettle in a backyard grew into three employeeowned facilities: two in Alberta and one in Saskatchewan. Our team is technically driven and understands this is essential for success. We’re proud to have implemented a proactive function training program for all employees, to guarantee that we provide the highest quality products and services and that it stays that way. Daam Galvanizing is an environmentally sustainable company that continuously reinvests back into its operations. One example of this is 38 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
our storm water treatment building, as we were the first galvanizing plant in Canada to build such a facility. Daam’s mission is to deliver expert quality galvanizing, exceptional customer service from start to finish, and timely, cost-effective results that surpass expectations. Selecting the most effective corrosion protection system requires an evaluation of things like durability, maintenance schedule, service life sustainability, life-cycle costs, and how corrosive the surrounding environment is. Therefore, the answer to steel corrosion is not to use other building materials, rather to adequately protect exposed steel to minimize and delay the process. Fundamentally, hot-dip
galvanizing is specified for its corrosion protection as the metallurgical bond between the zinc and the steel creates a barrier that is part of the steel itself. This results in a coating that is tightly bonded and harder than the base steel. Hot-dip galvanizing provides three levels of resistance: barrier protection, cathodic protection, and the zinc patina. The barrier protection is the first line of defense as it isolates the steel from the environment. That said, barrier protection must remain intact to protect the steel, so the tightly bonded, impervious nature of zinc-metal makes it a very good barrier coating. Second, zinc protects steel cathodically, which means it will preferentially corrode to protect the underlying base steel.
Hot-dip galvanizing provides three levels of resistance: barrier protection, cathodic protection, and the zinc patina. Even if a hot-dip galvanized coating is damaged to the point that bare steel is exposed (up to ¼” diameter), no corrosion will begin until all the surrounding zinc is consumed. The final factor is the zinc patina, which is the formation of zinc corrosion by-products on the surface of the steel. These form when the galvanized coating is exposed to the atmosphere, and once fully developed, slows the corrosion rate of zinc to about 1/30th the rate of steel. It acts as an additional passive, impervious barrier for the hot-dip galvanized coating. Daam Galvanizing takes great pride in our quality assurance and safety programs. Our team works together with unparalleled diligence to deliver superior products and service while maintaining the safest worksites. We were the second galvanizing plant in North America to be certified by the Quality Management Institute as a corrosion protection coatings company. Our complete range of testing and monitoring equipment, alongside our dedicated quality assurance managers ensure all our products meet the expectations and requirements for any environment. No other corrosion protection system provides the lifelong protection, durability and cost-effective performance of galvanizing while reducing impacts on future generations. For galvanizing expertise delivered with a lifetime of experience, contact Daam Galvanizing for the best DAAM galvanized steel you can get. SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 39
BERT BAXTER TRANSPORT:
A business built on quality service
The founder and namesake Mr. Wilbur
The privately owned, family-operated
Transport knows how important it is
Baxter, also known as Bert, joined the
company provides general freight
to maintain the fleet; that is why they
transportation business in the 1920s
services to all Canadian provinces
also provide assistance and emergency
with one truck and some big dreams.
and 43 states, and has a proud history
repairs for truckers that may find
After establishing roots in Estevan,
of providing high-quality service to
Saskatchewan, Bert Baxter Transport
its customers. Bert Baxter Transport
themselves needing a hand on the way
incorporated in 1957 and established
places special emphasis on providing
their first location at 301 Kensington
service to the oil industry and has many
Bert Baxter Transport has been a
Avenue. Over the years, this location has
years of experience with transporting
proud sponsor of many cultural and
seen many expansions and is in still in
and handling oilfield equipment and
recreational organizations within the
operation today.
materials. The company is well-known
city of Estevan and surrounding area.
for providing 24-hour personalized
They pride themselves on community
service — and it doesn’t stop there.
involvement focusing mostly on minor
Oilfield services extend to include
recreational teams and facilities that
loading, unloading, and hauling of all
house them.
In 1977, after 50 years of service, the Baxters decided it was time to retire, so they sold the business to two of their employees, Graham Shirley and Elmer Vicary. In 1981, Mr. Vicary sold his shares to Graham’s wife Nancy. Today, the company is operated by Graham and
manner of pipe; specialized equipment
through town.
is available to handle steel and fibreglass
Bert Baxter Transport would like to
products.
thank their valued customers for their continued support over the past 60-plus
Nancy’s three sons, Vaughn, Darryl, and
With special emphasis on service to the
Todd as they enjoy their well-earned
oil industry, the company brings many
retirement. In October 2011, Graham
years of experience in the handling and
and Nancy, and their sons received an
the transportation of oilfield equipment
For more information about Bert Baxter
award from the Saskatchewan Trucking
and materials. In addition to a diverse
Transport, please see their website at
Association for their dedication to the
number of transport services, Bert
www.bbaxtertransport.ca.
industry.
Baxter Transport acts as a custodian
In 1988, a branch office was opened in Edmonton to facilitate the daily runs from the supply depots in Alberta to
for several pipe suppliers and steel companies, maintaining several pipe storage facilities in Estevan.
years. They look forward to serving you in the many years to come.
Head Office – Estevan 301 Kensington Avenue Estevan, Saskatchewan S4A 2L7 (306) 634-3616
oilfields of Southeastern Saskatchewan,
The company also maintains mechanic
Manitoba, and the United States.
and welding facilities in Estevan that is
Branch Office - Leduc
In 2008, a new and larger modern
well-equipped and staffed to handle any
3902 75th Avenue
facility was built in Leduc to further
number of repairs. With a fleet of over
Leduc, Alberta T9E 0M7
accommodate these services.
60 trucks and 100 trailers, Bert Baxter
(780) 980-2066
40 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
North American Helium Southwest Saskatchewan
Competitive incentives to help your next project succeed. The Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive:
→
Provides transferrable royalty credits, at a rate of 25%, to eligible projects demonstrating new-to-Saskatchewan innovations in the oil, gas, and helium sectors
innovations can be first-of-a-kind in Saskatchewan, or can be demonstrated in a → Eligible unique scale or application that adds a degree of novelty
→
Eligible projects must have at least $1 million in combined capital and operational expenditures to qualify
thinksask.ca/invest
Energy transition:
TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE TODAY
By Julie Haugen, Fluor Canada
Shell Quest carbon capture and storage.
NuScale small modular reactor.
Trusted delivery partner. Whether we are assessing project feasibility, integrating technologies, designing low-carbon facilities, or implementing sustainable execution practices, Fluor collaborates with clients, licensors, suppliers, and communities to deliver value to all stakeholders.
Fluor’s role in the energy transition is to safely and sustainably design, build, and maintain projects that create a better world. We bring our passion for innovation and unrivaled experience and expertise to help our clients navigate their decarbonization and sustainability journeys. We help deliver value to projects – from feasibility studies and conceptual design through to construction and commissioning — in five distinct ways: Thought leadership. The potential pathways to carbon neutrality are rapidly evolving. Fluor is at the forefront of research and development, guiding, and enabling emerging technologies through commercialization and continuously 42 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
improving our own proprietary technologies. For example, our carbon capture technologies, Econamine FG PlusSM and Fluor SolventSM, have been employed for more than 30 years in facilities around the world and are today being implemented across industries to reduce greenhouse gases. Fluor has also strategically invested in technologies such as NuScale’s small modular reactor (SMR), which became the first and only SMR design to receive U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission design approval in August 2020. Our dynamic experts help accelerate carbon-neutral solution developments through involvement in global and regional industry groups such as the Carbon to Value Initiative and Energy Futures Lab.
Our project delivery model emphasizes building and maintaining progressive, transparent relationships based on mutual respect and trust with Indigenous communities. This model is bringing benefits to Indigenous communities engaged with the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, British Columbia. On this project, Fluor and our joint venture partner JGC have employed more than 650 local residents (more than 300 of whom self-identify as Indigenous), have spent $1.5 billion on contracts and procured $98 million in goods from Indigenous businesses. Leading technology integrator. Many energy transition projects entail highly integrated, complex systems. As an EPC company, Fluor views a client’s challenge through the lens of a technology owner and a constructor. This vantage point allows us to understand both the big picture and the details of each project. For example,
first-of-a-kind technology deployment will need to consider local factors such as climate, geography, and social-licenseto-operate. Our experts employ a holistic approach that couples Fluor’s deep knowledge of technology with feasibility of local execution. The result is investment confidence and projects that meet sustainability targets. Active in the energy transition markets. Fluor is applying our expertise earned from hundreds of relevant projects to improve our clients’ return on investments. We deliver energy transition projects across the entire energy value chain including mining of battery metals, asset decarbonization, carbon capture utilization and storage, clean hydrogen, SMR, energy storage, gasification, green chemicals, chemicals recycling, offshore wind energy, renewable fuels, and infrastructure. Extensive technical expertise. Fluor’s
Carnduff, SK S0C 0S0 p: (306) 482-3244 e. info@fasttruckingservice.com www.fasttruckingservice.com
Specializing in oilfield hauling and heavy hauling. Celebrating over 60 years of service in the oil industry!
experts are executing energy transition projects across Canada and around the globe, transcending industries to leave a positive, lasting legacy. We offer more than 1,500 subject matter experts, 27 proprietary technologies, and 1,200
• Smokeless Flares • Assist Flares • Utility Flares • Ignition Systems • Arrestors • Drone Inspections • Vapor Combustion Units • Tensioning & Maintenance
patents. Unparalleled experience. Fluor brings more than 100 years of engineering, procurement, and construction experience in transitioning fuel and energy sources. Our experts possess unrivalled knowledge and experience from hundreds of energy transition projects, including more than 50 currently in development globally. Examples include California
DESIGNED FROM EXPERIENCE
Resources Corporation Elk Hills project (carbon capture) and HollyFrontier Corporation’s Project Tangerine (renewable fuels). As our clients determine the best path for their energy transition journeys, Fluor is well positioned to help deliver
403.742.2212 | info@flaretechinc.com
their projects safely, sustainably, cost-
www.flaretechinc.com
effectively, and on schedule.
SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 43
George Gordon First Nation Climate Observatory: AN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY-BASED
CLIMATE MONITORING PROGRAM By Wayne Bitternose, Wicehtowak Limnos Consulting Services LP The George Gordon First Nation Climate Observatory is a three-year Indigenous community-based climate monitoring program funded by Crown Indigenous
Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and developed by Wicehtowak Limnos Consulting Services on behalf of George Gordon First Nation. Located five miles south of Punnichy, Saskatchewan in the Little Touchwood Hills, a unique ecoregion of the Aspen Parkland. The objectives for this project are to foster climate change awareness, inform community adaptation actions, and address climate data gaps. A state-ofthe-art automated weather station was installed in November 2018 and has been gathering meteorological data since we came online. Community members of George Gordon First Nation have access to the real-time weather data through an app and they can also follow a Facebook page that we created to display the weather data at intervals throughout the day. We have also deployed three HOBO data loggers in three lakes located on GGFN. These data loggers are brought up once a year and the data are downloaded to be analyzed. Along with monitoring the climate, we have also carried out wildlife and vegetation surveys. These were carried out in each of the three years since the start of the program in 2018. We have also joined the Water Rangers, a group of citizen scientists, which monitor lakes and rivers throughout Canada with the use of a water sampling kit. Taking pH measurements, shoreline visual observations, aquatic wildlife, alkalinity, temperature, turbidity, and depth of our lakes and sloughs located on George Gordon First Nation. We have also purchased kits to be used by the George Gordon Education Centre. We have recently been awarded another
44 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
three years of funding for the Climate Observatory, where we will move into climate action planning as well as continuing to monitor the climate.
GEORGE GORDON FIRST NATION PLASTIC WASTE STEWARDSHIP – A ZERO PLASTIC WASTE INITIATIVE In 2020, Wicehtowak Limnos Consulting Services LP secured funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative in conjunction with George Gordon First Nation, to develop a plastic waste management program. We started with six single-stream recycling bins, placed in the Core Area, school, and the local store. These bins accept all manner of household recyclables, from flattened cardboard, glass, plastics, and tin cans. Awareness and educational material have been distributed to the school and community to raise awareness and to help reduce the amounts of recyclable material from entering our landfill. We have purchased smaller bins that were distributed to households that wanted to participate. Three roller bins were also purchased for the George Gordon Education Centre, to make it easier for them to collect recyclables from each classroom, common areas, and teachers’ lounge and then to the bin located on school grounds. Landfill inspections were also carried out monthly to make observations of any material that should not be making its way into the landfill. Bi-weekly bin checks are also carried out to ensure hazardous and nonrecyclable material does not get placed in the bins.
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SIX DECADES
STRONG
A Weyburn family business recently
over the business from Jerry, but Dale
Some projects that stand out over the
celebrated 60 years of being in business.
says he is “never going to retire”.
years include the Weyburn Unit flood
In 1956, Jerry Mainil started out
“He’s 86, and he still works as hard as
hauling water before he took a welding
anybody,” Dale says, adding he used to
course, which was fairly new to
help his dad with pipelining alongside
southeast Saskatchewan back then.
his brothers.
He incorporated in 1961, hired a few employees and bought a couple oneand two-man operations out to get them to come on board. Work consisted of pipelining, welding, dirt-moving and overall construction. “He continued to build a small company into something larger,” Dale Mainil, vicepresident of acquisitions of Jerry Mainil Ltd., and son of Jerry Mainil himself. In 1992, Dale, his brother Dennis Mainil and brother-in-law Calvin Tracey took
Currently, Jerry Mainil Ltd. boasts 80 to 100 employees depending on seasonal work. Services include reclamation, dirt leaves preparation, facilities, pipelining and general maintenance. Although the company has survived and thrived for 60 years, Dale says like any industry, it has seen some lean years. However, they have their staff to thank for working hard and sticking by them. “Our people are diverse. They can multitask and run different equipment,” Dale says. “People in our community and southeast Saskatchewan have good values and good work ethic. We’ve been fortunate; it’s been a great team.
46 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
back in the 1960s, which injected water back down to the formation to capture more oil, as well as the carbon dioxide injection system that came out in the early 2000s. Safety is also a key part of Jerry Mainil Ltd.’s success. “We pride ourselves on safety and addressing environmental concerns,” Dale adds. “our industry in general, not just Jerry Mainil Ltd., has seen a lot of change over 60 years, and it’s all for good. Our Canadian oil and gas industry is second to none in safety and environmental concerns. We do have all those in mind, and we do an excellent job. It’s a great industry.” What’s in store for the next 60 years of Jerry Mainil Ltd.? To continue the legacy of Jerry Mainil. Dale says he is grateful to his father for giving him and others the opportunity to work in the industry.
We all have a role; everyone is just as
“We all owe him a ‘thank you’; we want
important. I always compare it to a
to continue that legacy of hard, honest
football team: you need quarterbacks,
work and excellent craftsmanship,” Dale
receivers and defensive linemen. If
says. “It’s been difficult the last seven
you’re weak in one area, you’re not
years, but we’re hoping to turn a corner.
successful. Our company has good
The energy sector is not going away, and
coaches and good personnel down to
we will work in a respectful, responsible,
the frontline.”
clean manner.”
CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE SERVICES MECHANICAL: ■ Fabrication of the following piping: • Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel & Chromoly Piping • Threaded Piping • HDPE & Fiberglass Piping ■ Blasting & Painting ■ Hydrotesting ■ Torqueing ■ Vessel Modifications ■ Equipment Installations ■ Demolition
STRUCTURAL: ■ Cutting & Capping of Piling ■ Fabrication & Installation of the following: • Structural Pipe Racks • Stairways & Landings • Safety Ladders • Platforms • Stiles ■ Equipment Bases ■ Torqueing ■ Blasting & Painting ■ Demolition
CIVIL: ■ Excavations, Backfilling & Gravelling ■ Concrete Framing & Placement for: • Tank & Equipment Bases • Concrete Pile Caps • Concrete Piling ■ Grouting (Cementitious and Epoxy) ■ Demolition MISCELLANEOUS: ■ Plant Turnarounds & Maintenance ■ Hot Shot Services ■ Safety Services
HEAD OFFICE: P.O. Box 236, 7 Brock Drive Brock Industrial Park, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 4N8
FIELD OFFICE/SHOP: 315 Evanston Drive, Weyburn, SK S4H 0Y9
306-693-3030
www.rcesi.com
Southeast College and Vermilion Energy
TEAM UP FOR BRIGHTER FUTURES
“ It’s called the Vermilion Ways of Caring Award, which is a program that Vermilion Energy created to give back to the communities that they live and do work in.” administered by the Government of Saskatchewan. As a result, the $3,000 scholarship turned into $6,000, with two recipients receiving $3,000 each spring at the awards ceremony. The scholarships are applicationbased, and criteria require applicants A new partnership aims to help
12 education in a non-traditional
to be enrolled in adult basic education
Southeast College students reach their
environment,” Onrait adds.
transitioning into a full-time, post-
goals.
Onrait says the college actively
secondary program at the college.
Established in 1975, Southeast College
speaks to representatives from the
“A bit of additional criteria are the
operates campuses in six communities,
businesses in their community on a
students should hold strong community
which are Assiniboia, Estevan, Indian
regular basis, discussing the benefits
Head, Moosomin, Weyburn, and
of student scholarships. As a result,
and leadership values, demonstrated
Whitewood. The college offers a wide
Vermilion Energy and Southeast College
variety of career, vocational, and
partnered up to deliver a $3,000 annual
academic programming to meet the
contribution for the next three years.
educational, economic, and labour force demands of southeastern Saskatchewan. According to Sheena Onrait, manager of marketing and communications for Southeast College, the programs offered at the school range anywhere from four months to two years.
“It’s called the Vermilion Ways of Caring Award, which is a program that Vermilion Energy created to give back to the communities that they live and do work in,” Onrait explains. The scholarship consists of two awards each year, as Southeast College was able to match Vermilion Energy’s contribution
through extracurricular activities or volunteer involvement,” Onrait adds. “Of course we give preference to students living in southeast Saskatchewan.” Southeast College is grateful to Vermilion Energy for their partnership and support. “It’s nice when we have companies like Vermilion Energy that are active in our community and realize the benefit of and the impact that student scholarships have.”
“We also offer adult basic education,
with the Saskatchewan Innovation
For more information, visit
which includes offering a Grade
and Opportunity Scholarship Program
southeastcollege.org.
48 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
SAFETY TRAINING WHERE YOU NEED IT. WHEN YOU NEED IT.
H2S ALIVE | CONFINED SPACE | GROUND DISTURBANCE FALL ARREST | CPR AND 1ST AID | AND MUCH MORE! Visit southeastcollege.org for a full listing. Don’t see what you need, give us a call at 1-866-999-7372!
It’s more about helping you make the best choice It’s what we know... just ask!
Warren McDonell wmcdonell@transcourt.com • 780.913.2700 Discover more at Transcourt.com SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 49
PTRC BEGINS EXPANSION OF ITS
RESEARCH PROGRAM
Not-for-profit to help develop all kinds of subsurface energy
Measurement and monitoring super station at Aquistore.
Erik Nickel understands better than most people in Saskatchewan how technology has changed the energy industry in the province for the last 20 years. From his studies 27 years ago at the University of Saskatchewan, through his early days working the oil rigs between an undergraduate degree and his master’s in geology at the University of Regina, Nickel has experienced the direct impact of new methods, processes and priorities in oil and gas, and in the wider field of energy development. “Saskatchewan’s energy industry has been transformed over the years by revolutions in technology,” notes Nickel from his office in the PTRC building at Innovation Place in Regina. “From something as important as horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracking, which has allowed for the Bakken formation to be exploited in southeastern 50 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
Saskatchewan, to the development of the first carbon capture facility on a coal-fired power station, this province has been on the cutting edge of innovation.” The province’s evolution in energy development is reflected in Nickel’s professional journey, from his oil patch work between semesters at university, to his M.Sc. degree in geology, which included key research that led to the advancement of the Weyburn-Midale CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project. “My years at the Saskatchewan Geological Survey reinforced my belief that much of the best geological research in the world is being done here, particularly as it relates to sub-surface energy,” he says. “The colleagues at the SGS, at the core lab located in Regina, and at the PTRC where I now work, have helped innovators realize their goals. That includes companies in industries
Eric Nickel.
as diverse as potash and lithium mining, geothermal energy production and helium extraction. Innovation and advancements in R&D have created whole new areas of employment opportunities across Western Canada.” In his position as director of operations at the PTRC, Nickel has likewise seen the expansion of the company’s research network, from agreements and MOUs with organizations like Deep Earth Energy Production (DEEP) to share information and data on the potential use of CO2 in geothermal energy production, to the potential application of artificial intelligence and big data to improve the environmental impacts of oil production, or locating and exploiting minerals like lithium. “The world is changing, and so is the PTRC. I think the next few years look exciting for us, and the province.”
IFR WORKWEAR:
The go-to brand for FR clothing and accessories IFR Workwear Inc. is an Aboriginalowned company, founded in 2005 in Red Deer, Alberta by Reg Radford and Erin Buckland. Our company has an unsurpassed professional team, which makes it easy to continually serve our customers with consistent quality service and products. We own a manufacturing plant in Mexico and a distribution centre in Texas, and our Canadian headquarters are in Red Deer, Alberta, which, combined, employ over 200 people throughout North America. We manufacture high-quality, trusted products that offer a multitude of safety and comfort options for our customers through our full line of protective workwear. Our products include unlined and unlined coveralls and bib overalls, parkas, fleece, vests, pants, shirts, and accessories such as headwear, hard-hat liners, and bags. Our FR Workwear is used in a variety of industries including oil and gas, petrochemical, mining, electrical, construction, railroad, and others. All our products are manufactured in North America and sold through distribution partners across Canada and parts of the United States. In Red Deer, our state-of-the-art, 31,000-square-foot distribution centre carries a large inventory of different FR certified fabrics and several different colours for quick delivery. Most of our FR garments are UL Certified, and our materials meet safety standards and comply with industry standards controlled by the CGSB (Canadian General Standards Board), the CSA (Canadian Standards Association), the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials International), and the OSHA 52 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
(Occupational Safety and Health Administration). To provide consistent quality, we only use proven and tested fabrics like Westex™ UltraSoft® & DH, Avenger, DuPont™ Nomex®IIIA, Oratex Fleece, and components made in North America. 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Striping is used on all garments to meet or exceed reflective visibility requirements of the industry. IFR Workwear provides workers with premium safety protection, increasing productivity and overall satisfaction, through excellent fit guaranteed by a large range of sizes from 34 to 70 tall, customizations, fabrics, and styles. We have multiple embellishment capabilities such as embroidery, heat seal, sublimation, cresting, name tags, as well as the capability to do any adjustments or customizations. With the emergence of the worldwide pandemic, we asked ourselves how we could contribute and help make a difference. From this, we rose to the challenge and created IFR Health in 2020, which includes hand sanitizers, gowns, scrubs, and both reusable and disposable masks. We also have a line of three-ply disposable masks that are made in Canada and meet ASTM levels 2 and 3. Check out our website for more information. At IFR Workwear, innovation and new
PLEASE RECYCLE
product development is key to staying competitive and meeting the everchanging needs of our customer. Because of this, we have launched a line dedicated exclusively to women, including cargo pants, work shirts, fleece jackets, and our industry breakthrough product, the two-piece “Suit-All” Coverall, exclusive to IFR Workwear. It provides a custom fit for women through a range of sizing pairing options. Other notable mentions of successful new product launches have been our IFR Basewear garments, a new line of thermal FR underwear, the Westex® DH Antistat Coverall and Bib Pant, the 3-in-1 High Visibility Parka where you can control your comfort
levels depending on the weather conditions, IFR’s Cooling Technology accessories and much more. We encourage you to check our website often for new products and updates at www.ifrworkwear.ca. We encourage any comments and suggestions that can help us develop new products or improve upon ones we already offer. We are easy to connect with through our website contact form or phone line, where you will be pleased to discover a real person answering your call. We pride ourselves on superior customer service and premium products. Safety-focused purchases should settle for nothing less.
Phone/Fax 306-634-6001 P.O. Box 1652 Estevan, SK S4A 1C8 Dave Gallaway Pay Young Nolan LaCoste
306-461-4322 306-861-9986 306-461-4323
Fluid Levels / Dynamometers / Acoustic Buildups Fall Off Tests / Foam Depression Tests Sales and Service of Casing Compressors and Acoustic Fluid Level Equipment SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 53
TRITON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS LTD. DOES IT ALL
Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.
mining, power, renewables, forestry,
training and countless contracting
was proud to announce the opening of
agriculture, and transportation sectors.
opportunities for Indigenous
our new office in Regina last fall. For over three decades, Triton has grown and adapted to meet the changing
LOCAL HIRING AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS
communities and businesses. Triton has formed several majority
From executives and managers to field
Indigenous-owned partnerships and
staff, Triton has numerous employees
we also maintain positive working
who call Saskatchewan home. Triton
business relationships through various
consulting firms.
is committed to a business model that
commercial agreements with a multitude of Indigenous communities
WHAT WE DO
encompasses employing local qualified professionals to work in the various
and businesses throughout Western
regions we operate. We are proud of
Canada.
needs of clients and the marketplace, and become one of Western Canada’s leading multi-tiered environmental
Triton is a 100-per cent Canadian, 100per cent employee-owned firm. We specialize in biophysical assessments, construction implementation services, environmental monitoring and
this model as there is value in employing people with a personal stake in the development of their own region.
These business relationships support our ongoing public commitment to our clients and Indigenous communities
In addition to local hiring practices,
alike, to maximize Indigenous inclusion
Triton contributes to many aspects
and engagement throughout each
of community development including
phase of the project. Our Indigenous
direct revenue from office expenditures,
inclusion and decades-long experience
sponsorships, charitable donations,
continue to contribute to our clients’
bursaries and scholarships, and
project successes and build sustainable
volunteer efforts by Triton staff in the
capacity for the local and Indigenous
We pride ourselves on our client
community.
communities and businesses we work
focus, flexibility, and ability to provide
INDIGENOUS OPPORTUNITIES
inspection, permitting, and regulatory applications, related to fisheries and aquatics, wetlands, wildlife, vegetation, species and ecological communities at risk, soils, reclamation and remediation, and air and acoustics.
pragmatic solutions that are relevant for construction. Triton’s reputation
Triton has a 30-plus year history of
with.
SUMMARY
maximizing access to employment,
Opening the Regina office is Triton’s
training, and contracting opportunities
first step into providing our services and
for local and Indigenous people
building careers in Saskatchewan. We
and businesses on all our work. Our
are looking forward to the opportunity
commitment to Indigenous inclusion,
to grow our brand and contribute
including robust employment and
to regions we work in. Look for our
Our project history includes providing
procurement programs, has resulted in
employees on your job sites and in your
environmental services to oil and gas,
over two million hours of employment,
communities.
as an environmental leader has been earned from our clients who rely on us to successfully steward their projects from inception through approval to final completion.
54 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
Triton is an employee owned environmental consulting firm with over 30 years of experience. Our clients have relied on us to successfully steward over 4,500 projects from inception through approval to final completion. We provide a wide range of scientific, technical and management expertise that merge to provide practical environmental solutions
Regina Office: 306-450-4993
triton-env.com
NUCLEAR ENERGY COULD HELP COST-EFFECTIVELY DECARBONIZE CANADA’S HEAVY INDUSTRY Along with the rest of the world, Canada is under immense pressure to build its path to net-zero by 2050. But unlike many parts of the world, Canada faces unique challenges and opportunities. Canada’s economy is built on the advantage of extensive, rich natural resources – but this is a double-edged sword when it comes to climate change. While our energy, mining and heavy industry sectors form the backbone of our economy, they represent a large portion of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Currently, the oil sands, chemical manufacturing and mining collectively contribute more than 30 per cent of Canada’s GHGs. We also know that these sectors face enormous challenges in reducing their carbon footprint. It is not realistic to abandon these industries. Doing so would cause significant socio-economic destruction. Instead, Canada’s path to net-zero must include decarbonizing heavy industry in an environmentally and economically advantageous way. There is a path to a more sustainable green economy for Canada’s heavy industry sector. A path that includes clean nuclear energy working in partnership with renewables. World-renowned scientists, environmentalists, and climate change experts have concluded time and time again that there is no path to net zero without nuclear in the mix. As an energy-dense, carbon-free, and reliable energy source available around the clock, nuclear can play an integral role in fighting climate change -– including 56 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
World-renowned scientists, environmentalists, and climate change experts have concluded time and time again that there is no path to net zero without nuclear in the mix. through SMRs (small modular reactors). SMRs use fission to generate reliable, carbon-free electricity and heat with a small land footprint. These innovative reactors are scalable and can be built economically in factory settings, allowing for easy transportation to remote or challenging locations. Working in tandem with renewables, SMRs are uniquely positioned to provide clean electricity, produce carbon-free hydrogen, decarbonize our extraction and heavy industries, and provide heat and power to remote and First Nations communities. Research conducted by Enviro– Economics and Navius looked at the economic and climate implications of using SMRs in Canada’s high-emitting heavy industry1, and explored different cost and technical assumptions for deploying SMRs. The research highlights that SMRs in Canada could reduce GHGs in the heavy industrial sector by 18 per cent by 2050 while contributing up to $5 billion to gross domestic product (GDP) annually in the same timeframe. With deployments set to begin as early as 2026, SMRs could be widespread by 2035 to meet the rapidly growing demand for emission reductions in heavy industry and resource extraction sectors. Beyond the obvious environmental benefits, investing in clean nuclear technology offers huge economic
opportunities, with the global SMR market projected to reach $300 billion per year by 2040 according to the World Economic Forum. With 65 years of industry experience, an impeccable safety track record, and the world’s largest natural reserve of highgrade uranium, Canada is well-positioned as a global nuclear leader. Nuclear is one of the largest producers of clean electricity around the world and in Canada, accounting for 15 per cent of Canada’s electricity production. But we have only scratched the surface of nuclear’s potential to help drive a low-carbon green economy. Data demonstrates that SMRs could deliver low-cost emission reductions while driving down the overall cost of getting to net zero as a nation. With the right investments today, Canada can use its world-leading nuclear expertise to provide the vast amounts of clean heat and electricity required to make this country’s energy transition clean and economically advantageous. SMRs have the potential to be a game changer in helping to fight climate change in Canada, but the clock is ticking. The time to take decisive action is now. 1
Emission and Economic Implications for Canada of Using Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Heavy Industry. March 2021. EnviroEconomics and Navius Research.
Cost-effective emissions reduction in Canada’s heavy industry
Did you know oil sands, chemical manufacturing and mining currently contribute more than 30% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions? We must decarbonize heat and power in heavy industry to meet net-zero emissions targets by 2050. New research shows that small modular reactors (SMRs) are uniquely positioned to offer low-cost emission reductions in Canada’s heavy industry. The data shows that SMRs in Canada could: 3 Reduce GHG emissions in the heavy industrial sector by 18% by 2050. 3 Reduce GHG emissions by 14 megatonnes per year on average – the equivalent of taking over 3 million cars off the road per year in Canada. 3 Lower Canada’s cost of reaching net zero by more than 5%. Nuclear is one of the largest producers of clean electricity around the world and in Canada, accounting for around 15 per cent of Canada’s electricity. SMRs generate reliable, carbon-free electricity and heat with a much smaller land footprint than current reactors, making them a potential game changer for the industrial sector. Study conducted by EnviroEconomics and Navius Research; commissioned by the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA)
Learn more at cna.ca
WEYBURN:
A great place to work, play, and stay
The City of Weyburn is a dynamic community that has both a strong and diverse economic base. Weyburn has long been established as a central figure for the upstream oil industry in Saskatchewan. Weyburn sits geographically atop the Bakken Oil Formation, one of the most prolific oil producing patches in the world. Whitecap Resources is a world leader in carbon capture and utilization storage. This internationally recognized, world-class project has safely captured over 36 million tonnes of CO2. Since 2019, we have stored two million tonnes of CO2 per year, which means, they are a carbon negative company. Not surprising that you will find corporations such as Whitecap Resources, Crescent Point Energy, and Enerplus calling our community home in terms of headquarter locations. Agriculture continues to be the backbone of the community. As the world looks to farmers to meet an ever-increasing need for food supply, Weyburn’s position as one of the largest inland grain gathering points in North America makes it a vital contributor to a global challenge. Agri-business, agri-food companies, and major farm implement dealers continue to thrive and expand into our community. As the central community in Southeast Saskatchewan, 58 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
Weyburn is the preferred locale for the public sector and professional regional head offices, contributing an enduring inventory of stable employment opportunities. Several key professional and public sector regional headquarters in Weyburn include Southeast Cornerstone School Division, Southeast College Administrative Offices, SaskPower Regional Distribution Centre, and Southeast Regional Library. “Weyburn prides itself on being the location of choice for many companies and public sector services head offices. This translates into stable employment opportunities and a business atmosphere,” states Larry Heggs, executive director, Weyburn Regional Economic Development. Convenient access to Weyburn is never a problem, not with three major highways crossing the city. Highway 13 joining Saskatchewan with Alberta and Manitoba is named the Red Coat Trail. Highway 39 is one of Canada’s busiest highways and provides a major trucking and tourism route between the United States and Canada. Lastly, Highway 35 (the CanAm Highway) is another U.S. border connection linking Weyburn to North America. Weyburn rail connection offers not only connection to the U.S. but Mexico as well. This rail is a major contributor to the Weyburn area, and also all of North America. Weyburn rail access has also enabled them to build the Weyburn Industrial Transload (WIT) facility. This facility establishes Weyburn as a freight hub that is world-class, being able to load, unload, inspect, and repair rail cars. Heggs points out that “the ability to efficiently move goods makes Weyburn the ideal location for several major manufacturing firms.” Weyburn is well-defined by being a safe, friendly, healthy balanced lifestyle. A close-knit neighbourhood community with low crime rates, and economic strength makes Weyburn a great place for a family to live. For three years in a
row, Weyburn was named “Best Place to Live in the Prairies” by Maclean’s magazine. Weyburn was also placed in the top 10 in the country when it comes to affordable housing. That same year, Expedia named Weyburn at 11th place on the ‘Friendliest Communities (and Towns) in Canada’ list. “More evidence that Weyburn is a great place to live, do business in and visit,” Heggs points out. Residents and visitors alike enjoy beautiful rural surroundings including
lakes, parks, and connection to the agricultural lifestyle. Weyburn’s stable economic base, its transportation accessibility, and its attractive labour force are why businesses are attracted to Weyburn. While enjoying the luxuries of small city life, Weyburn’s central location in the Southeast maintains easy access to the convenience and services of larger centres.
Quick, easy installation in approximately 3 hours. Compliant, 500,000 btu burner with Pro Fire BMS
Inlet ESD
2” Meter Run with Recorder High Pressure Flare Line
Flare Stack with retractable Propane Pilot System 24” Inlet Separator 150-600 ANSI Ratings Low Pressure Flare Line with detonation arrestor
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1-855-OSY-TANK
1.855.OSY.TANK
www.osyrentals.com VAPOUR TIGHT TANKS | FLARES | SEPARATORS | KNOCKOUTS SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 59
SPARKING YOUTH CAREERS IN SASKATCHEWAN’S RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR
Internship and training subsidies offer
efforts of employers. Through this
Saskatchewan’s energy supply. As Kevin
boost to employers while equipping
training and on-the-job experience,
Bergeron, COO of miEnergy, explained,
youth with in-demand skills
the program introduces the world
“The Discovering Potential program has
of electricity to youth while helping
allowed us to train and deploy skilled
organizations increase their capacity
team members to our projects. We are
for renewables projects.
excited to participate in the program
Saskatchewan’s changing energy landscape is placing huge demands on provincial employers to recruit
and look forward to a long-lasting
skilled workers. This, combined with
Excellent outcomes were achieved
the projected addition of thousands of
for both miEnergy and the youth
megawatts of renewable energy for the
participants. Participants were
For employers in Saskatchewan’s
province in the coming years, means
primarily employed as solar panel
electricity and renewables sector,
organizations must develop strategies
and racking installers. They not only
the time is right to act on engaging
to engage youth and develop their skills
learned basic construction skills but
the next-generation workforce. By
in the renewables sector.
also had the opportunity to improve
leveraging the Discovering Potential
One such organization, miEnergy,
and problem-solving abilities.
a full-service renewable energy
miEnergy made history working on
solutions provider in western Canada,
Saskatchewan’s first utility scale
understands this challenge well. They
solar PV project located east of Swift
tackled it by working with Electricity
Current, Saskatchewan, while at the
Human Resources Canada (EHRC) and
same time supported the development
leveraging EHRC’s Discovering Potential
of the technical and professional skills
youth internship and training program.
that will lead the participating youth to
The program offers wage subsidies
workplace success. The PV project now
to support the recruiting and training
provides 10MW AC of solar energy to
60 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
their teamwork, communication,
partnership.”
wage subsidy of up to $25,000 per participant, employers can lessen the financial risk to themselves while building capacity and planning for the future. Funding can be used to build workplace skills or specific technical knowledge in young people and help them transition to a career in the industry. For more information on how employers
Participants were primarily employed as solar panel and racking installers. They no t only learned basic construction skills but also had the opportunity to improve their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities. can get involved, visit EHRC’s website at electricityhr. ca/discovering-potential or send an email to info@ electricityhr.ca. Discovering Potential is funded by Natural Resources Canada’s Science and Technology Internship Program (STIP). STIP supports Canada’s transition to a lowcarbon economy by connecting youth and natural resources sector employers, and providing wage subsidies, to build a diverse pool of workers qualified to advance positive environmental outcomes.
SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022 61
Western Underground Consulting Ltd.:
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO GROWTH AND SUCCESS Western Underground Consulting Ltd. started out with two employees in Saskatchewan, but it has become a big player in the oil and gas industry across the Canadian prairies. Darren Humphreys established the company in 2007, with 10 years of previous experience in underground utilities construction. By his side is Colin Clyne, manager, who was there from the beginning.
As a small company, we successfully stay in direct control of safety, work ethic, and attitude. We continue to maintain a reputation that is backed by committed and regular clients. Our employees are everything,” Humphreys says. According to Humphreys, the company recently expanded its big rig division by adding two 100,000-pound rigs. Four years ago, they also added a pipeline
Nowadays, Western Underground specializes in utilities construction and horizontal directional drilling. Fifteen years ago, there were two employees, and now there are 25. Western has locations in Swift Current, Weyburn, and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and Virden, Manitoba to accommodate its growth.
division with a small pipeline crew in
“We believe that our employees are a direct representation of our company.
companies by boring where they cannot
Manitoba. “We have four Hydrovacs, with two in Manitoba and two in Saskatchewan,” Humphreys says. With a focus on the oil and gas industry, Western Underground has serviced most of the major oil conventionally dig. Their collection of equipment also includes seven directional drills, a backhoe, two track hoes, and a Trencher. “We use the latest equipment in drilling technology and are able to provide the customer with the best possible quality of work,” Humphreys says. They’ve come so far, but Western Underground wants to continue growing at a pace where they can provide their excellent quality of work. “That’s important to us,” Humphreys says. For more information, visit westerunderground.ca, or call them at (306) 621-0247.
62 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
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