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$5.99 NOVEMBER 2014
LARICINA ENERGY LTD MAKING A DIFFERENCE, CREATING OPPORTUNITY
HEAVY OIL AWARDS THE LICENSEE LIABILITY RATING
GIFTBASKETS HOLIDAY
THE STATE OF REAL ESTATE
OFFICE YOGA BURGERS
8
TIPS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING
DEREK KELLER
Vice President Production Laricina Energy Ltd.
BENEFACTOR
YOUR PARTNER IN SUCCESS National Bank helps to free up your working capital for success! Our team is proud to be a ďŹ nancing partner of the Oil Field Services Industry. Our mission is to help buyers and sellers fund the growing credit demands in today’s extended cash conversion cycles, from inventory purchases or capital outlays to supporting ever greater demands for longer payment terms both within Canada and abroad. Your partner in business, International Trade - Calgary Alberta Ibrahim Alsalibi: 403-592-8515, ext. 27024 ibrahim.alsalibi@nbc.ca
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Laricina Energy Ltd. wins award for work done with ROI netthe Bigstone Cree Nation dividend
Cover By Jason Dziver
YOUR GLOBAL
ADVOCATE
OILFIELD STAFFING SOLUTION
WELLSITE SUPERVISION Pajak maintains a certification database that allows us to ensure that a supervisor’s tickets are always current before they go out on any job. Pajak senior technical staff are available on a 24 hour/day back-up to all supervisors and engineers.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT We provide experienced, dependable project management staff to oil & gas sites around the globe. Our team knows how to get the job done, and is insured, certified, and be IRP (industry recommended practices) #7 and IRP #16 compliant.
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WORK FOR US We are constantly searching for highly qualified, safety conscious individuals to expand and maintain the company’s high standards. We provide the very best in field supervision and project management to the oil and gas industry. Apply With Pajak PAJAKENG.COM | 403-264-1197(24HOURS)
NOVEMBER 2014
contents
10 38
DEPARTMENTS
10 20 38 40 46 50 52
CEO Message Where have all the good guys gone?
The Talent Crunch Are employers expectations too high?
Money Matters
20
Keeping it real... estate
People in Profile From rigs to gigs, this family works in concert
Wine & Dine
Black Betty’s Chef Derek Wilkins
40
Calgary Women in Energy Ways to deal with speaking in public
Kale + Brussels Sprouts = Kalettes They can be sauteed, steamed, stir-fried or
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18 6
used raw, making them a perfect addition
Trouble with Change - Part 2 Leadership workshops
46 52 Sunterra’s Gift Ideas Have a very merry holly jolly gift basket
OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
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ADVOCATE
Subscriptions@OilfieldPULSE.com TELEPHONE 1-403-537-6560 TOLL FREE 1-866-883-8848 For advertising inquiries or editorial submissions please contact: Production@LeadstoneGroup.com
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OILFIELD PULSE
ADVERTISING INDEX 2 HUB OPERATIONS REPORT MANAGER
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The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this publication is prohibited. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Disclaimer: The messages expressed in this publication do not represent the views of Oilfield PULSE, Leadstone Group or affiliated companies. Publication Number: 42420518
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CEO MESSAGE
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OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
O
ver the past few months we’ve seen an specification. Our client lost the business, and alarming trend calling into question some their long standing client ended up paying far more of the ethics, honesty and common sense than they should have, with a protracted delivery in the energy business. While a few of the bigger timeframe due to the change request process! stories have hit the newswire, we are speaking Why? A total lack of willingness to admit the spec with more and more companies, at the local level, was wrong before the project was awarded. Their complaining about not being able to conduct competitors knew this but bid anyway. Their way of business on an even playing field. They have to deal pushing up the price tag to the end user! regularly with individuals who have been entrusted Securing field services and procurement is hard to source services for their companies, but these enough without having to deal with dishonest people individuals are being swayed by insider deals and a and cost overruns. Common sense should prevail, major lack of common sense in the industry. but unfortunately it does not. One might think these A couple of notable examples just came across are isolated cases, but that’s what so disturbing. my desk in as many days. They are not! No wonder the energy business is so One of our national account managers was visiting expensive when crap like this continues to occur. a client about our Oilfield HUB service and he asked There has to be a better way! We believe there is if we had approached a named senior operations a way to weed these cost inefficiencies out of the person at a specific oil and gas company. He process, provided companies and their people are suggested this person was known to take a piece willing to change their ways. of the action to get your services into his company. As for the dishonest people in the patch, don’t let In other words, buy your way in! Not through the them go unchecked or scot-free. Fraud is fraud, company, or for the company’s benefit, but entirely and that’s where the cops are our allies! There for the personal gain of this individual. How he are obviously still lots of great people in the patch. gets away with this tactic, and why we succumb to These folks aren’t always walking around with their these unethical individuals to win that next piece of hands out waiting to be greased. Instead they business in this day and age is beyond belief! conduct business by 3 simple mottos: My second example, involved a long time 1 You Get What You Give! business associate of mine and a RFQ his company 2 What Goes Around, Comes Around! recently received. The design specification was 3 Don’t Thank Me Until I Do clearly incorrect, and there was no way the project Something For You! and components could be built in this fashion. They As should we all! went back and forth, no less than 6 times with the engineering company, but they refused to update the design. The result, they declined to bid on Kevin Turko the project. He learned later that his competitors CEO LEADSTONE GROUP 403.537.6561 still submitted bids, according to the incorrect specs. The contract was awarded, but you guessed it, it was A big shout out to Terry Hagen and his crew at Pinnacle not built according to the original Drilling Fluids for becoming our newest HUB Advocate design or quoted cost. Once the ADVOCATE in Oilfield HUB. We are thrilled to have Pinnacle at fabrication started, their competitor our side as we launch and roll-out our Operations Report Manager (ORM) submitted several fully anticipated plug-in for Oilfield HUB. Pinnacle’s insights and experience will be invaluable change requests because the to our operator client base using HUB ORM from a mud inventory, usage, cost original diagrams were simply allocation and reporting standpoint. Welcome aboard Terry! incorrect. Parts just did not exist to fulfill the original OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
11
NOTEWORTHY
CANADIAN HEAVY OIL AWARDS
T
he Canadian Heavy Oil Association (CHOA) has been the premier Heavy Oil community for 27 years and provides relevant heavy oil and oil sands specific technical, business and industry information, along with social experiences and conferences. This volunteer-based, not-for-profit association has grown to almost 2000 members and reaches over 8000 people on a regular basis. Membership has BIG benefits, including:
Gail Powley CHOA President
• Great networking opportunities with industry peers • An outstanding technical program in a variety of formats, including Technical Luncheons, Beer and Chats, Edmonton Dinners, and Conferences • Popular social events • Discounted fees for technical and social events as well as conferences organized by the CHOA
CHOA Diamond Sponsors
• A hard copy of their quarterly Journal of the Canadian Heavy Oil Association • Opportunity to apply for CHOA’s annual scholarships draw • Access to the member-only features of the CHOA website (i.e. Resource Library)
Photography: Courtesy of Char G Photography
• The opportunity to belong to a heavy oil community and contribute to an organization dedicated to improving knowledge on heavy oil and oil sands issues
12
The corporate sponsor program is integral to CHOA’s success in delivering quality educational and networking programs to the heavy oil and oil sands community.
CHOA Gold Sponsors
For more information visit choa.ab.ca.
OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014 CHOA Silver & Bronze Sponsors
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THE TRAP FROM WHICH MANY MICRO-JUNIOR OIL PRODUCERS WON’T ESCAPE. WHAT IS AN LLR? Alberta Energy Regulators (AER), formerly Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB), implemented a revised Licensee Liability Ratings (LLR) program effective May 1, 2013. These changes resulted from extensive consultation with industry and were supported by Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada (EPAC). The LLR program applies to all upstream oil and gas wells, facilities and pipelines. The LLR program was developed to prevent Alberta taxpayers from assuming liability for suspension, abandonment, and remediation and reclamation costs from defunct licensees. Currently there are over 60,000 inactive wells in Alberta and this number will increase significantly as the resource depletes. Some of the pressure to reform came from Alberta’s Auditor General, industry, land owners (a large portion of it being the Crown) and environmentalists. The program is designed to be phased in over a three year period – May 2013, May 2014 and May 2015. In essence, the LLR is a ratio of the licensee’s deemed assets value to its deemed liabilities. It is based on certain parameters set by the AER under Directive 006 and Directive 011. Liability Management Rating (LMR) is a ratio of a licensee’s eligible deemed asset in the LLR factoring in Large Facility Liability Management Program (LFP) and Oilfield Waste Liability Program (OWL) to the licensee’s deemed liabilities. WHY SHOULD WE CARE? The Licensee is required to maintain a monthly ratio of 1.0 or greater, failing which; a security payment is required to be deposited with AER. Failure to comply with the LLR program can result in application of a non-compliance fee or suspension of operations.
BENEFACTOR
ONE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER The LLR directive requires every licensee to maintain a monthly LMR of 1.0 or greater. These changes, as applied to calculating the LMR, will result in significant increases in security deposits payable to AER by companies having a LMR of less than 1.0. In particular it may cause significant hardship to junior oil and gas companies that are trying to either develop their assets or increase production. Companies with a lower LMR can improve their ratio by increasing production through acquisition, reactivating wells or drilling new ones. Another way of improving LMR is by reducing liabilities through
Currently there are over 60,000 inactive wells in Alberta and this number will increase significantly as the resource depletes. abandoning and reclaiming non-producing wells and facilities. Both of these initiatives require capital. The AER estimates the number of companies in breach of LLR will increase from 88 to 248 within the three year phase in timelines and the amount of deposits with AER will increase from $13 million to $297 million. This will affect microjuniors if they don’t have access to capital to take remedial measures to increase their LMR. The micro-juniors will be devastated the most if they don’t pay attention to the impact of depleting resource to increasing liability costs in determining their LLR. Another significant impact of the LLR applies to transference of well licenses. The transferor and transferee are each required to have a LLR of 1.0 or more before the transfer of license is approved OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
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CATCH CONCEPTS by AER. Any party having a LLR of less then 1.0 will be required to post a security deposit prior to transference being approved.
THE NIVEN FISCHER REPORT CONCLUDES WITH A SOMBER SUGGESTION FOR FIRMS THAT ARE OFFSIDE WITH THEIR LLR:
HOW THIS IMPACTS THE INDUSTRY The formula for calculating the LMR will change over the three-year phase-in plan as follows: • Deemed well abandonment liability value will increase annually by one-third the 2012 values in May 2013, May 2014 and May 2015.
• Present a plan to the AER to get back on side
• Pay the required deposits
• Deemed assets value will increase annually by onethird of 2012 industry average netback values in May 2013, May 2014 and May 2015. • Present Value and Salvage (PVS) factor changed to 1.0 for all active wells and facilities from current 0.75 as of May 2013. • Facility abandonment and cost parameter for each well equivalent will change from $10,000.00 to $17,000.00 as of May 2014. • Reclamation costs will increase by 25% for wells and facilities as of May 2014. SOME FACTS In 2007 there were 94 publicly listed junior oil and gas companies in Western Canada. By 2013 that number had dropped to 49. Similarly private juniors are also being squeezed out of the market due to the added LLR burden on their cash flow outlook. A recent Niven Fischer study predicts some 500 companies could have LMR of 1.0 or less by 2015.
• Or, turn over the keys THE OPPORTUNITY This LLR trap, however bleak, also provides great opportunities to companies that develop strategies to take advantage of firms with low LMR. Some of these opportunities include: • Capital: Companies with access to capital will be better positioned to take advantage of assets on the market as a result of low LMR. Some companies will be forced to shed low LMR assets to improve their LMR. Others will have to sell high LMR assets to raise capital for security deposits to AER or use capital for abandonment or drilling program. • Acquisition and Mergers: Companies with higher LMR will be in a stronger position to negotiate acquisition or mergers with companies that struggle with low LMR. • Farm-in: Companies with high LMR will be in a stronger position to negotiate farm-in agreements, in particular the royalty rates. Betty Ledgerwood LIGHT SWITCH MARKETING INC.
THE MICRO-JUNIORS ARE DISAPPEARING Many of us recall when the family farmer could make a living farming a relatively small section of land. If we fast forward to today, it is obvious the vast majority of these small farms have disappeared. They are no longer economically viable. This scenario is now playing out within the micro-junior oil firms. The squeeze is on and many will not survive unless they adapt to the new reality. Economy of scale is critical. Dale Galbraith, President, Catch Resources Inc.
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STEP 1: THEME Choose a general Christmas theme for casual acquaintances. Many stores have pre-made gift baskets in different sizes to suit your budget. For friends, family and co-workers, try to make your gift more personal. If your Secret Santa recipient at work always has their headphones plugged in, create a basket to reflect their love of music. If you and a friend always go to the movies, assemble a movie buff package. If your brother is a sports junkie, create a Sunday Night Football snack basket. STEP 2: PACKAGING Despite what the name may suggest, you don’t have to use a basket for your gift basket! Any type of container will do. Your theme may even help dictate a container to hold your goodies. A casserole dish, pasta strainer, bucket, popcorn bowl, or coffee mug are all great alternatives to baskets and add value and a touch of creativity to your gift. While you’re getting imaginative with your basket, try creative packaging like coloured tissue paper or mesh that will create a beautiful finish. If you prefer to stick with cellophane and ribbon, add an ornament, candy, cookie cutter, or gift card as a fun alternative to a bow. Don’t forget to include a gift tag or card so your recipient knows it was you who spent the time creating their fabulous gift! Make sure you tie up your package tight, especially if shipping your basket so no items fall out in transport.
STEP 3: CONTENTS In your gift basket, include an item of food, a beverage, and a trinket that will match your theme. For the baker in your life, the gift basket may include specialty flours, cookie mix, teas, a recipe book, and a spatula all wrapped in a mixing bowl and tied with a ribbon and cookie cutter. For the foodie in your office, consider items they may not have tried before, such as foreign cheeses, crackers, pâtés, coffees, sparkling water, and cheese knives wrapped up on a cutting board. For a barbeque connoisseur try steak rubs, BBQ sauces, beer, lemonade, and a branding iron with their initials all wrapped in a metal bucket with a bandana. Gift baskets are a great way to celebrate the holidays, express gratitude, condolences, congratulations, or to simply let someone know you’re thinking of them. This holiday season, create a gift basket for those on your list and show them you care while showing off your creative side!
By Kendra Keating SUNTERRA CATERING MANAGER
OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
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PLAINS PERSPECTIVE
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ADVOCATE
TALENT
CRUNCH? I often feel like I am the last of a generation. I feel like I was the last person to sneak under the radar and get lucky enough to learn from a craftsman rather than a university. When I became General Manager of a company then called Regent Air Parts, I was 23 years old. I don’t say that to be boastful and I have no issue admitting that I had no idea what I was doing. I was willing to work as hard as I could; I was willing to do whatever I had to do; and I had a business owner that saw something in me. It took me at least 2 years to get competent, and it took me 2 more before I could truly run the business without training wheels. Quite frankly that is unheard of in today’s business world and that was less than 20 years ago. It was also more the norm at that time than you might think. You found the right person for the job and you trained them or molded them into the employee you needed.
OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
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How many business owners do you know with an MBA? How many businesses are started by people who have a degree rather than an idea? I think we all know the answer to that, and I also think it is not a secret that running a business is just as much of a skill as any trade. There are certainly degrees and certificates that can impart knowledge, but what it takes to become a true expert in any field is time, talent, and the fortitude to succeed. You need a place willing to train you as well as willing to employ you, and speaking frankly as I often get in trouble for doing, there just aren’t very many companies in Alberta willing to train anyone. Have you taken any time to read the help wanted section on LinkedIn or Monster recently? You need a
The fact the government is trying to encourage companies to train the workforce is a great step forward. degree, 20 years experience, and a Pulitzer to work in a warehouse according to the ads that are out there. Do we have a talent shortage in Alberta? Boy do we! It makes me feel a little sick when I see an ad for a purchaser that says you need a Bcomm and an SPSM to be considered along with a minimum of 5 years experience for a junior position. Really? I have 20 years experience in supply chain, and I have run 2 multimillion dollar companies, but I don’t have either of those credentials. Does that mean I don’t qualify because working in industry doesn’t count? To test this out (and with the permission of my current employer) I actually applied for this job. I wanted to test this companies system. I applied online, I was over-qualified on some fronts, and under qualified on a few as well, but with my experience surely I could be trained to learn the few things I didn’t know. I would have expected to get an interview at the very least a phone call. After I spent an hour filling out their application online I went about the rest of my day. Two hours later I got an email response and I started thinking I was such a catch
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they couldn’t wait. Dear Mr. McCaffery, the email began, we would like to thank you for your interest, but your qualifications do not meet our minimum requirements for the position… It was an auto-response. It wasn’t sent from an actual person, but a computer had looked at my resume and sent me packing. Now I am not perfect, but I have great references from everywhere I have ever worked. I have certificates (not a degree) from U of C, I learn quickly, I am well spoken – wait… Do I seriously have to sell myself here? I deserved at least a phone call and the fact that I didn’t get one is a small view into a very broken job market in Alberta. The Canada Job Grant is a new program that has the government and business joining forces to train Canadians. The grant was supposed to help businesses pay to train their employees. The government changed their mind as they often do and instead of this helping to pay for training on the job, the grant will only pay for training through a recognized trade school or university. School is a great place to learn, but as I stated earlier it is a small part of training an individual to be an effective and productive person within a company. I do not want to limit the grant to on-the-job training only, I just think the government is wrong in limiting the grant. The fact the government is trying to encourage companies to train the workforce is a great step forward. However, I don’t think there is enough training in the world that will fill the open jobs currently on the market. There needs to be a move to bring out the craftspeople in our companies to train on-thejob. Companies have to be willing to take their best people to train the next generation. We may also have to spend some time training our companies that they don’t need to find someone with a perfect resume to fill a position. They need to find the right person and help them build the skills they can put on their resume. There isn’t enough grant money in the world that will solve this problem in it’s current state. By Tom McCaffery GENERAL MANAGER PLAINS FABRICATION PLAINSFABRICATION.COM
INNOVATION
BRINGING Y NEW IDEAS
TO OIL If your company has an innovation or technology you would like to introduce to the oil and gas industry, here are a few tips for success. These can be applied whether your innovation is related to process, products, technology, or environmental impact. No matter what area you are trying to improve, remember the following:
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OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
ou are usually selling to engineers. Re member this when you are going in to pitch your idea. Engineers are typically logical and linear thinkers. One thing always leads to another for these professionals. This means a solution will lead to another problem for them to solve in the future. This being the case, try to predict these future challenges and answer them during the first meeting if possible. This will help you gain trust and help demonstrate to them you are not simply trying to sell your product, you are trying to provide a solution for doing things better for the long term. You will rarely be the first person with the idea. Although this is difficult for each of us to accept, it is often true. This does not mean the decision maker will not value your solution. In fact, many times, a solution’s success is based as much on timing as it is the actual innovation. If you run into this situation, accept it as the norm and be ready to explain why your innovation is the right solution for the challenges being faced today. Don’t
compete with the situation the decision maker was experiencing at a past point in time. Everything must be scalable. The oil and gas industry is one which is both highly engineered and duplicated constantly. Although there are nuances on every project, if a solution worked well on one project, the industry will be keen to duplicate it on other similar projects. This allows the company to control their risk exposure as well as control their costs. If your solution is not able to be scaled to the appropriate level for the application in the field, it will likely not be accepted as viable, even if it works well on a single application. Consider how your innovation will be replaced. Very few solutions will remain relevant for a long period of time. They are often improved and replaced as new ideas are born from the innovation. Expect this will be the case, and assure the decision maker you are confident your technology will spawn further innovation based on the expertise of their technology leaders. Because this is very likely true, you are likely not stretching the truth.
Understand who influences your client’s decision. The person sitting across the table from you in an oil and gas company rarely makes a decision to try a new innovation on their own. There will be people within the organization who will influence the decision, but just as important, there will be outside influences that also impact the decision. At times, these could be the competition, a regulatory body, the stock markets, their investors, partners, clients, or even their customers. The more you understand these influencers, the better prepared you will be when you have the opportunity to “pitch”. It may even be prudent to interview some of these prior to the first meeting with your future clients. Clark Grue FOUNDER | PRESIDENT | CEO RAINMAKER GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RAINMAKER IS A CONSULTING FIRM ADVISING COMPANIES EXPANDING INTO NEW MARKETS IN THE EXTRACTIVES. SERVING FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES RAINMAKER HAS THE BREADTH AND EXPERIENCE TO ASSIST ANY COMPANY LOOKING FOR NEW GEOGRAPHICAL AND/OR INDUSTRIAL MARKETS.
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LIQUOR LANE
F R O M B U D G E T T O T H E L AV I S H
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W
hen most people think of French wine, their thoughts will usually bring them to the wines of Bordeaux, and when they think of these wines, several descriptors will come to mind: lavish, upscale, fancy, and expensive just to name a few. To many, the wines from this region are seen as styles that are only for serious collectors or wine professionals and not for everyday enjoyment. However, the truth is while there are wines from Bordeaux that are very special and in high demand for collectors, the area is also one that produces a vast amount of wines. It offers amazing value for red, white, and sweet wine enthusiasts, and these wines are all just waiting to be discovered. So, what makes the wines of Bordeaux so special? Well to start, the region has history on its side. Its been regarded as a fine wine region since Roman Times when the city was a thriving outpost colony for the Empire responsible for the foundation of the wine culture we are still enjoying today. Another key component to the regions success is its terroir, which is a French term used to describe the soul of the place the wine grows in that shows through in the profile in the glass. The region is the recipient of a warm maritime climate and is situated far enough inland to escape the harshest of coastal breezes. The vines in the area grow on soils that have been formed over centuries of glaciers and prehistoric sea bed sediment which helps give the fruit from the region an incredible place to call home. You’ll soon discover, as you begin to explore more wines and your appreciation for them grows, that this region’s wines are known for their exceptional balance. In 1855, 61 of the region’s wines were classified in what has become one of the most important wine classifications of all time. The Chateaux was divided into five categories, or Cru’s, with most still in place today besides a few special exceptions. It is because of this classification that Bordeaux has been put at the pinnacle of the wine world, not only for its everyday easy drinking wines, but also for its top growths as they will forever be a snapshot of time and age gracefully over time. The area’s wines show time after time they are true works of art that can transport the person enjoying them back to when and where the wine was made. This sensation can be best described as, “A fleeting moment that entices all of the senses, cannot be replicated, and leaves you with just a delicious memory. And salivating for more.” Vineyards of Saint Emilion, Bordeaux Vineyards
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LIQUOR LANE CHATEAU DOYAC 2009 | 19.9 9 This beautiful wine comes out of the Haut-Medoc, which surrounds an area north of the town Bordeaux. It is a great example of what a “cru bourgeois” can bring to the table. The cru bourgeois level was created so wines that were not classified in 1855 could still be given a category to show an elevated quality level. These wines can be where people looking to explore, and possibly expand, their Bordeaux palate can find some of the best values. Chateau Doyac’s origins have been traced back to the 1850’s and have been rotating through many different hands until it landed in Max Pourtale’s in 1998. Since then, he has been striving to find the balance of the land and grapes culminating in the 2009 vintage. The 2009 Chateau Doyac is a merlot dominant wine made in a classic style with supple soft fruit notes mixed with hints of smoke, cedar, preserved bush fruits, licorice, and sweet leather while having firm tannins and a nice acidity throughout.
CHATEAU RAHOUL BLANC 2010 | 29.9 9 Although the Rahoul property dates back to 1669, fine wine and whites in particular didn’t start flourishing at the property until the late 1800’s. These vineyards have found their perfect fit for Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes to grow coming out of the Graves region, which is located south of the town Bordeaux. It is no wonder Sauvignon Blanc does well here as it is the birth place of the grape, while Sémillon is not far from home either and comes from areas throughout south western France. This often neglected, but highly rated, blend offers notes of gooseberry, citrus, honey, and grapefruit while having a zippy acidity to support its medium body.
By Devin McKay WINE ROOM EXPERT AT WILLOW PARK WINES & SPIRITS
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BORDEAUX FUTURES
P
atience is the key word when it comes to the top growths of Bordeaux, and it is the one quality that is necessary in order to fully enjoy them at their best. While the prices of these top wines can be high due to their limited quantities available, there is a more economical option available for those wishing to gather some of these wines for their cellars. This is what Bordeaux futures, or “en primeur”, is for. Buying wines “en primeur” allows wine enthu siasts to purchase a Bordeaux vintage before it is bottled and released to the public at a discounted price. This ensures not only a sizeable discount but also your wine is reserved for you. Willow Park Wines is proud to offer this for each vintage followed by Western Canada’s largest Bordeaux release festival, in which the current vintage and past vintages are opened to taste every year in late September. For further information on how you can get involved or to have any questions answered about our Futures program, please contact: CHATEAU DE FARGUES 2007 | 159.9 9 A truly divine sweet wine experience. Chateau de Fargues, located in the world famous sweet wine region of Sauternes, does not disappoint for those looking to sample the wine style once described as one so delicious it must be made for angels. The process in which these wines are made is one of the most labour intensive. Each individual grape must be allowed to be dehydrate on the vine until just the right moment, and then each grape is hand picked and lovingly crafted into a spectacular blend of concentrated sugars, acidity, and minerals. A great example of this is Chateau Fargues 2007. The rich, mouth coating sweetness is full of candied tropical fruits, honey, vanilla, and has a floral touch while the acidity washes it all down making for a fresh finish.
Peter Smolarz FINE WINE DIRECTOR 403-296-1640 X 263 WINEROOM@WILLOWPARK.NET
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FEATURE
Derek Keller | Vice President Production RECENT CHAIR’S AWARD WINNER AT THE RCE AWARDS FOR LARICINA’S WORK WITH THE BIGSTONE CREE NATION
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LARICINA MAKING A DIFFERENCE, CREATING OPPORTUNITY
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aricina Energy Ltd. (Laricina) is creating value by developing Canada’s oil sands using innovative in situ technologies. The Company has two core producing projects at Saleski and Germain with additional development areas in early-stage exploration and technical evaluation. One of the ways Laricina is developing exerienced workers in the field is by way of their heavy equip ment training program. Designed to enhance the Bigstone Cree Nation (BCN) membership by providing long-term benefits such as team building, economic development, project management skills, land-use planning, and an increased development of skilled labor while building a sustainable community. The community investment partnership was formed with the BCN, Alberta Works Human Services, Laricina Energy Ltd. (Laricina), and two industry developers to deliver a three-month training program for 12 local residents in machine operations of the following: rock trucks, excavators, dozers, skidsteers and graders; all equipment essential to industry operations. The program involved training in landscaping, ditching, grading, and finishing to engineered standards of the newly constructed, 11-home housing subdivision, within the BCN reserve. The subdivision was expanded to include an additional 22-home subdivision. Upgrades completed two
Energy Ltd.
kilometers of public roads, a new emergency access road was built, and the quality of living was tremendously enhanced for 33 BCN families. BCN Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) approached Laricina for financial sponsorship towards their Heavy Equipment Training Program. ASETS in partnership with Alberta Works Human Services presented the proposal that focused on the local labour market needs to develop skills at a local level. The proposal provided 12 Wabasca locals (3 females and 9 males) with training on four machines to take place onsite of the BCN’s next phase of the residential subdivision. The training was conducted by High Velocity Equipment Training Ltd. Laricina was aware the proposed subdivision needed improved drainage, ditching, landscaping, construction of approaches and road upgrades. Laricina suggested adding a fifth piece of equipment, a skidsteer, and incorporating the completion of the 11-lot housing subdivision as part of the training program. The training initiative was designed to address some of the BCN’s housing issues, infrastructure problems, public works challenges, and to develop a workforce that could potentially lead to economic and entrepreneurship opportunities for the First Nation by increasing the number of trained personnel in OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
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FEATURE
The Laricina Training Group - 12 trainees now fully certified the community. Laricina believes there is strength in numbers and therefore garnered the support of two other industry members (Cenovus Energy Inc. and Osum Oil Sands Corp). LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT Laricina took a leadership role in motivating team players in Wabasca throughout the Heavy Equipment Training Project. The local Laricina Community Engagement office provided continuous guidance to the BCN Director of ASETS, leading the group in the generation of creative ideas. Through the group’s collaboration, and the knowledge and expertise from the BCN operations, the team devised a heavy equipment training project that built a sustainable community within their budget. MOTIVATING FACTORS, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT There were numerous motivating factors for Laricina contributing resources to the Heavy Equipment Training Project. The training program
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aligns with Laricina’s Managing Growth Initiative. The Managing Growth Initiative is aimed at better leveraging joint industry and community involvement in programs that create in demand skilled labor and real benefit to community members interested in participating in the industrial development in the province. The Heavy Equipment Training Program is seen as win-win for both industry proponents and local families benefiting from the work opportunities close to home, taking place on a BCN residential subdivision. The return on investment for Laricina is demonstrated through the improved quality of life for 33 families, and the 12 trainees now fully certified to operate equipment (most with local companies). The trainees had the opportunity to give back to their community while learning a trade and will continue to work in the community in the future. Laricina’s support and involvement of the Heavy Equipment Training Program demonstrates commitment and positive change internally and
externally as education and training opportunities at a local level are recognized and valued. Laricina continues to hire local contractors and employees. MEASURABLE IMPACT AND RECOGNITION The trainees completed their program and have gained employment locally, two residential subdivisions on the reserve were re-developed and transformed, and community members have an increased quality of life. The Heavy Equipment Training Program is a leading practice and could potentially serve as a model to mentor others as it demonstrates how industry, government, the community, and First Nations can work together to benefit all parties. The BCN leadership is proud to see the trainees overcome their personal challenges and success fully complete the program. The BCN stated they would like to see similar programs in the future to further increase employability within the BCN membership. Due to the pilot project’s success, Laricina
continues to support developing future workforce initiatives like the Heavy Equipment Training Project. INNOVATION, CHANGE AND CREATIVITY As industry continues to tap into the Athabasca region’s resources, it has become critical that responsibility is seized to educate and train local workforces to contribute to this major success. This model of the Heavy Equipment Training program identifies how team players can give the community a hand-up rather than a hand-out. This training project demonstrates a creative and innovative technique to building long-term benefit partnerships with First Nations. Project management is a challenge when working with a diverse group of stakeholders. However, Laricina was fortunate to be able to work with a motivated and talented group of individuals, all who envisioned a common goal: training local people while building a stronger, self-sustainable community. This project creates a precedent for other industry players working with First Nations.
L
arix laricina is the Latin name for a species of larch tree known as the tamarack, which is common to Western Canada and tends to grow in adverse climate zones such as the northern boreal forest and the high mountains. The tamarack is a pioneer tree that becomes dominant in its surroundings. Laricina is seeking to emulate the tamarack by identifying opportunities that others have ignored and achieving success where others have been unable to progress.
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WELL BEING
7 POSES FOR OFFICE WORKERS
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I
f you’re spending some quality time in an office chair, it’s best to split up those long hours with short breaks to help rejuvenate your body and re-focus your mind. Often poor posture is reinforced by the time we spend hunched over a desk, which can lead to lower back pain, stiffness in the neck and shoulders, and tightness in the hips and hamstrings. Counteract the negative effects of desk dwelling with this short, seven-pose yoga sequence. It’s designed specifically to target and relieve tension in those areas and help you get back to work comfortably all without ever leaving your chair.
FORWARD FOLD Sit at the edge of your chair. Step your feet hip-width apart with your knees bent and fold forward. Let your body and head hang heavily forward and allow the neck to release. This pose will slow your heart rate and calm your nervous system. To open your shoulders, interlock your fingers behind your back and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Then, draw your arms overhead and away from your lower back. When you are ready to rise, roll up very slowly so your head is the last to rise.
FIGURE FOUR Sit upright with your feet planted hip-width apart. Cross one ankle over the opposite thigh and flex that foot to engage the musculature surrounding your knee cap and keep it secure. Allow that knee to fall with the weight of gravity, creating a stretch sensation deep inside the hip. To increase the stretch, keep your lower back as flat as possible and fold forward.
TWIST Place one palm flat against your lower back so your fingers point down and your elbow sticks back. Take the other hand across your body to the outside of the opposite thigh. As you inhale, straighten your spine and sit up as tall as possible. As you exhale, engage your abdominals and twist. Aim to lead with your back shoulder rather than with your chin, so the twist travels through the full length of the spine rather than being concentrated in the neck.
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WELL BEING BACKBEND Plant both palms flat against your lower back with your fingertips pointing downward. Squeeze your elbows towards one another and aim to create a crease between your shoulder blades. Lift your chest toward the ceiling without dropping your head all the way back. Exaggerate the expansion of your chest on your inhales. To lift back out, engage your core and roll back up to a straight spine.
Illustration By Kyle K. Fujita
CRESCENT MOON POSE Extend your arms overhead, and interlace your fingers at the top, releasing your index fingers. Lift your chin away from your chest and soften your shoulders away from your ears. Use an inhale to draw length into your spine, exhale to bend over to one side. Side-bending helps neutralize the spine and release any stiffness building in the surrounding musculature.
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NECK STRETCH Extend one arm out at a downward angle and pull your fingertips toward the floor. Place the other arm over your head, grabbing just above the ear. Gently, tilt your head away from your extended arm and hold for a few breaths. As slowly as possible, roll your chin towards your chest. Often when sitting at a desk, the chin juts forward and the cervical spine is pulled out of alignment. This stretch will help release tension in the neck and shoulders and help realign the vertebrae.
BREATHWORK (PRANAYAMA) Sit comfortably, and close your eyes. Take a long, full inhale, and invite fresh oxygen into the depths of your lungs. See if you can feel your abdomen, ribcage, and chest all expand as you fill up with air. Hold that inhale for a count of three, and then release your breath slowly through your nose.
By Alexa Kelly
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KEEPING IT REAL
ESTATE I recently sat down with a colleague of mine who lives in Vancouver. He’s a top-level executive on the commercial and hotel side of things, and this month, he was in Calgary to take inventory of what’s happening in Alberta compared to Vancouver.
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M
y colleague and I chatted about how much Calgary and Edmonton are growing. About how many new hotels, mixed-use projects, and multi-family real estate projects are currently on the go, and how many more are slated in the coming months. Some are common knowledge. Some are still being kept secret, with only those in the know being allowed to receive the message before it selfdestructs in 5 seconds. There is little surprise the top players and developers in the hotel, commercial, and residential sectors continue to put their faith in the Calgary and Edmonton markets as each city’s respective robust economies continue to prosper. And apparently these top players all have a lot of faith in this continuing. (Cue the Monopoly guy with the monocle and tophat jumping in with a very enthusiastic, “Well, why shouldn’t they? Hotels for everyone!”) Meantime, as the sagging price of oil continues to hover at just over $85/bbl, the conversation switched from one of prosperity and abundance to what may happen if the price of black gold continues to dip? The last time it did, many of these household name companies pulled the pin. They pulled back. They canceled or scaled down. And, some took it on the chin, reacting to a real estate market in decline - a direct result of turmoil in the energy sector and world markets for that matter. At a time when average condo prices in Calgary and Edmonton are at all-time highs and new buildings
CALGARY MLS RESIDENTIAL UNIT SALES
12,000
CALGARY 10,000
MLS RESIDENTIAL UNIT SALES
8,000
6,000
4,000
and projects continue to pop-up like a game of Whack-A-Mole (if you’ve never played Whack-A-Mole, you really should), it does make you wonder whether or not this pace is sustainable. I mean did we truly learn our lesson last time? Some of the experts will argue the Alberta Advan tage bubble is set to burst. After all, just look at how directly affected we are by the oil and energy sectors here. Throw in a catastrophic flood which crippled the downtown Calgary core for days, a provincial price tag over $5 billion for flood cleanup (no big deal, I
Either way, the provincial, urban, landscape here is changing. There seems to be prosperity at every turn. have that much in my briefcase), and the seemingly never ending fantasy of the Keystone pipeline and Northern Gateway projects ever coming to fruition. This should make you at least ponder where all of this extra faith in the market is coming from. Flip the switch and talk to some of the front-line workers, management execs, CEO’s in the oil biz, or the big players in the commercial real estate and development game and the attitude is definitely more like, “We’re more than willing to make hay while the sun is shining.” And, on they go snapping up more pieces of prime real estate to mold in their own image. Either way, the provincial and urban landscape here is changing. There seems to be prosperity at every turn. These big Canadian companies, and a lot of international investors for that matter, continue to bet their bottom dollar on the idea of, “If you build it, they will come.” Whether the pace is sustainable? I’ll leave that question for you to ponder. Now, I’ve gotta go find some place to spend my extra $5 billion ;) Jeffrey Tincher
2,000
B.A. COMMUNICATIONS, DIPLOMA BROADCAST JOURNALISM REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
0
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14
Source: The Canadian Real Estate Association
Source: The Canadian Real Estate OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
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PEOPLE IN PROFILE
RIGS TO
GIGS
WORKING IN THE OIL PATCH FOR SOME FAMILIES CAN MEAN WORKING APART, BUT FOR THIS FAMILY, IT MEANS WORKING IN CONCERT.
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PEOPLE IN PROFILE
M
eet the Anthony Gilmore Band. Formed in 2012, based out of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, this talented group was born from a father’s, Paul Gilmore’s, dedication to the love of his sons and music. Wanting to fuse these loves together, the talented quintet of Anthony Gilmore (base guitar, guitar & vocals), Ryan Gilmore (guitar), Paul Gilmore (guitar), and Jason Sewell (drums) were formed into this unique rock band. Their original music is a must hear. “Looking back,” says Paul, who is the father of Anthony and Ryan Gilmore, “I could see the boys were born to play great music. I had bought a guitar and small amp for the boys for Christmas. They were both drawn to playing immediately and both
ANTHONY GILMORE
COME DOWN
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learned very quickly.” As a construction manager in Northern BC and Alberta, Paul decided that making music was a way to make great use of their time when they were not in the field. Not only was it an excellent use of their ‘down time’, from the beginning it brought Paul together with his boys in a way many fathers don’t get to experience. “I knew right away that developing their talent would be both challenging and rewarding” says Paul. As a band, playing what you want to play, and enjoying what you’re playing, isn’t always the case. Many bands are forced into playing styles of music popular on the charts. “Everyone has a favorite band, song, or genre. For the band, we were influenced by what we played, which was a
ANTHONY GILMORE
KEEP ON WALKING
blend of 70’s and 80’s rock with a more modern edge. Our music resonates on both familiar and unfamiliar levels, which keeps our audience engaged,” states Paul. Success doesn’t always come easy either. With most musicians also having full time jobs, practice doesn’t always make perfect. But, for the Anthony Gilmore Band, it helped. “Finding time to practice, write music, and work full-time can move you further from the passion,” says Paul. “Finding time can be a challenge, but with a little organization and a lot of patience, there’s always a way. It’s all a part of the reason we are here. Our passion for the music.” In the spring of 2013, the Anthony Gilmore Band travelled to the West Coast to do some recording.
ANTHONY GILMORE
COME DOWN
The studio session resulted in three hard-hitting singles (Dizzy Spell, Keep on Walking, and Come Down), which are available on iTunes and CD Baby. Two of the singles were also recorded for music videos and can be found on YouTube. With Anthony’s rich vocals, and his brother Ryan’s super-sonic guitar hooks, Anthony Gilmore’s music should come with a warning, “Addictive, even for the strong willed.” Since their incredible performance this year at Grizfest in Tumbler Ridge, BC in August, the band has been busy writing new material and entertaining audiences every chance they get. You can find them on their Facebook Page, music.cbc.ca, or www.anthonygilmoreband.com.
ANTHONY GILMORE
KEEP ON WALKING
The Band at grizfest 2014
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BUSINESS IDEAS
MANIFAST YOUR DREAM BUSINESS Part of the Building Relationships Series by Connie Cook, BHRLR
R
ecently I had the opportunity to sit down with an amazingly intuitive CEO and his talented team and I thought, this story is one worth sharing! Why you ask? Manifast, a division of Sunwapta Solutions which stands for “Turbulent Waters”, have come a long way in understanding just how to help other businesses, even yours! This talented team prides itself on not just providing you and your business with another set of tools that you would have to figure out, they have developed a comprehensive set of end-to-end business solutions which speaks to 6 major sets of critical business issues. The best part is, they are with you step by step, talk about service!
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Are you a business that can benefit from having a framework on how to define your business effectiveness in today’s competitive marketplace? Most business owners I speak with are always interested in having the tools and support to be on the cutting edge of growing their business and the teams that work with them to achieve goals. Would you benefit from being clear on where you are going and how to get the entire team engaged and accountable in getting there? How about attracting better clients and retaining them longer while driving higher revenue growth and profit? These solutions along with many other strategic business results can be at your fingertips through
Meet the Business Success Team! Front Row, from left: Glen Little (Co-Founder and Lead Developer); Al Dhalla (co-founder and VP Client Relations); Doug Wagner (Co-Founder and President) Back row, from left: Alex Cameron (Business Success Consultant); Jennifer Little (Web Designer); Brittany Leung (Business Operations Manager); David Cleland (Senior Developer) and Vince Aliberti (Business Success Consultant)
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CREATING YOUR DREAM STRATEGY START REVIEW
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The Manifast™ Business Success System is a comprehensive set of end-to-end solutions to 6 major sets of critical business issues Manifast, allowing you to focus on growing and running your business. After connecting with Manifast at manifast@ SunwaptaSolutions.com or at (403) 201-2402, you will immediately be able to determine if this proactive business success system is right for you and your business. The system was developed after researching hundreds of industry experts and best practices, with over 20 years of leadership and business experience. No need to attend another workshop on Strategic Planning, get unstuck and shift the business to one that is capable of high growth without straining the leadership team. Preparing your business to build a high performing team who are now engaged and motivated to achieve your business objectives is essential. The ability to continuously improve your business by setting a plan, measuring success, taking action and reflecting are just some of how the team at Manifast can help your company grow. Manifast begins by providing a business opportunity assessment. This assessment covers all of the critical areas of business and is designed to find areas where there are opportunities to improve your revenue, profit or operational performance.
The Manifast Business Success System has adapted to the changing needs of our businesses. The system itself evolved from a software product to a complete simplified system of business solutions to grow your business. If you’re a business that can benefit from having a solutions based and proactive framework on how you can define the value of your business to your target markets, connecting with the Manifast group will help you drive positive solutions, creating a win-win for your company, your clients and your team. Solutions that are capable of keeping it real, authentic, simplistic and with a value add, I have to wonder who couldn’t benefit from having end-to-end business solutions that will position your business as a leader in your industry. Manifast your dream business by connecting with this dynamic company today! Manifast A DIVISION OF SUNWAPTA SOLUTIONS SUITE 710, 816 – 7TH AVENUE S.W CALGARY, ALBERTA T2P 1A1
By Connie Cook, BHRLR, APR ADULT EDUCATOR COMMUNICATING WISELY LTD. CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH CLEAR COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS THROUGH CHARISMATIC LEARNING
OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
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WINE & DINE
FOOD FOR
THOUGHT SOME TIME WITH CHEF DEREK WILKINS OF BLACK BETTY BURGER AND WINE BAR
N
ot Your Daddy’s Burger Joint” is the slogan inviting you into Black Betty Burger and Wine Bar located at 606 1st street SW in the shadow of the Bow Building. For those that have not been to the spot, it’s a beautiful creature decorated in dark hues and kicked up with elegant, yet edgy touches as if Betty Page’s mind in its darker days designed the whole show. Images of brunette, red-lipped pin-ups take you through two levels of a comfortable room to eat and a great place to have some wine and listen to music. After having spent some time having lunch and enjoying a happy hour here, I was excited to get the chance to spend a little time with the man behind the exotic burgers and enticing menu, Executive Chef Derek Wilkins. Chef Wilkins has been with Black Betty for some time now and I caught him in the midst of a revamp of the menu at Black Betty. Hurriedly discussing with the sommelier how some creations can match with the wine list and eclectic group of cocktails and beers, assessing which favourites have got to stay and how to integrate their quality ingredients into new and exciting additions to the offering.
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The Chef has not gone the traditional route from working in a family restaurant or starting as a dishwasher in his teens. Instead, while always having a keen interest in food, Chef Wilkins dabbled in schooling in political science and business and training for millwright work. Eventually, he committed with both feet and found himself at SAIT Culinary School in his mid-twenties. “Making the decision to enter cooking school was a big one for me as I had no (previous restaurant) experience, but some of the teachers latched on to me and my passion and took me under their wing.” From this, he worked with some mentors who admired his effort and commitment while he admired their skills. He got big influences from his time with Hayato Okamitsu and Michael Dekker, two titans of Calgary cooking with restaurants such as Catch and Rouge on their resume. Chef Wilkins found himself at one of these spots and began to hone his craft after graduating with honours from the SAIT Culinary Program.
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WINE & DINE “From a recommendation from Chef Okamitsu, I went straight from SAIT to Rouge Restaurant and worked all the way from intern to junior sous chef for about three and a half years so I learned the insides and out of the kitchen and did all the jobs from prep cook to where I couldn’t go much further. I worked with many great chefs and at Rouge we did a lot of farm-to-table. Rouge had its own gardens so I got to grow ingredients from seeds to people’s plates. We dealt with a lot of farmers and learned the importance of caring for good produce. I’ve kept that philosophy with my position at Black Betty. If you have good ingredients, you don’t have to mess with them and give people food the way it was meant to be.” Now at the helm of his own kitchen, Chef Wilkins ascribes as best he can to the farm-to-table theory of running his kitchen. Only high end ingredients are welcome and simple preparation is used to highlight them the best. Once this is done, a good dose of creativity and innovation makes the Black Betty items true originals and exceptionally delicious.
Waffles (exclusive for Sunday brunch)
Country Benny (exclusive for Sunday Brunch) Beef Carpaccio
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“We try to source as much local ingredients as we can and especially our meats. It’s all natural chicken, all natural pork and the Wagyu beef is a highlight. Alberta beef is the top class, our Brant Lake Wagyu is incredible. It’s a fattier type, but a tighter fat that holds together well and is excellent for our burgers. Burgers have been part of our culture forever, I am a born and raised Calgarian and my dad taught me how to use the BBQ when I was quite young. So I have taken pride and worked for years to make the best burger utilizing different techniques and a special blend of seasonings. Black Betty has put their trust in me and I have free reign to take from my head and put it on the menu.” Chef Wilkins has an evolving menu and while the focus is the creatively adorned (and named) burgers, there are also entrees, pastas, steaks and many other options for people. While his education was classically French cooking and fine dining, the atmosphere at Black Betty required something a bit different. “The coolest part for me coming to Black Betty
Fresh squeezed mimosas (exclusive for Sunday Brunch)
was able to put my spin on my training and make good comfort food. We touch on many bases, some Asian flair, some Southern, some French, but we don’t spread ourselves too thin. Also, there is much technique in what we do as we do make our own in-house duck confit, all our pastas and breads are made in-house and other items that require a high level of skill but can be presented with an accessible approach for many diners.” The finishing touches are now being put on Chef Wilkins third menu and he has interpreted the slogan “Not your Daddy’s burger joint” in his own way, stating that he wants to create food to match the atmosphere, that is beautiful and elegant and fine dining, but it is still a burger joint at its core, but elevated. “We try to bring the level up each time, while maintaining the favourites and integrity of our menu. I try to take things from my mind, or things I was taught or learned in my career in fine dining and transform it into comfort food that no one is afraid to eat, but are impressed. And we have a
flow chart approach to pairing our wine and food which is something a little different, but makes it interesting and relaxed for people to properly pair their meals we have worked hard on developing.” With a young family at home, Chef Wilkins has lots to do in his day, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. And, in an adorable twist, his daughter always likes to remind people that Black Betty is, in fact, her Daddy’s burger joint. How true. For lunch, dinner, evenings and happy hour, Black Betty is bringing a great approach to food, décor, service and entertainment. With the steady hand of Chef Wilkins, the creativity and quality continue to expand and is one of the most rousing restaurant experiences in Calgary today.
Black Betty Burger & Wine Bar 606 1 ST SW, CALGARY, AB BLACKBETTYBWB.COM
By Chris Grabill
Feature burger “The Mony Mony burger” for Billy Idols birthday- Shaved Montreal smoked meat, sauerkraut, grainy mustard, on a wagyu beef patty and house made bun
Short Rib Papardelle All the new Cocktails
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SPEAKING
PUBLICLY H
ave you ever stood in front of a group of people with sweaty hands, a fast heart beat, flushed feelings, and wish you could run away and crawl into a hole? You are not alone. The fear of public speaking, glossophobia, consistently ranks as people’s number one fear above death, spiders, and heights. Jerry Seinfeld once joked the average person, if they had to go to a funeral, would rather be in the casket than give the eulogy. In today’s business world, public speaking is not an option it is a necessity. It’s so important that most business schools mandate public speaking courses or activities as part of the curriculum. As humans, we talk all day every day, so why is speaking to a group so traumatizing? Fear of public speaking affects approximately 75% of the population. It affects introverts as well as extroverts and men and women equally. The fear can start in childhood and, if not addressed, progresses into adulthood. Fact is, the anxiety around public speaking rarely has to do with one’s ability to speak. Root causes of the phobia are many. This can include fear of failure and/ or rejection, fear what one has to say isn’t important, fear of what one’s colleagues/clients will think, experiencing or viewing an unsuccessful public speaking event, and/or simply not being accustomed to speaking in front of people similar to the fear of doing something new, like the first time you rode a bike.
PEOPLE’S WORST FEARS
#2
DEATH
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#1
PUBLIC SPEAKING
#3
SPIDERS
FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO OVERCOME GLOSSOPHOBIA.
% OF PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM SPEECH ANXIETY
• Take a public speaking or acting course. Many corporations offer internal training on public speaking, and smaller companies may pay for you to take a third party course. A simple Google search will result in many businesses that specialize in public speaking training.
75%
• Update your public speaking courses on a regular basis. Just as you have to renew your H2S and First Aid certifications every few years, do the same for your public speaking skills.
73%
• Practice, practice, practice. Practice in front of your colleagues, spouse, cat/dog, mirror, in the car, and/or videotape yourself. Just as riding a bike gets easier the more one practices, the same happens with public speaking.
Calgary Women in Energy (CWIE) deals with public speaking in different ways. Our monthly technical sessions display different products, services, and applications all by different people • Realize it is not your job to know everything during displaying different public speaking styles and a presentation. It is your job to engage and inform. skills. While these sessions are often given by nonHaving said that, know your topic to the best of your members, our members are encouraged to use ability. No need to memorize, but know your material this forum as a way to improve their own public and the flow you want to achieve. speaking skills in a comfortable environment. This practice can assist our participants when they are IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY... required to present in lunch and learns and formal presentations, both internally and externally and from CEO’s to engineers to supply chain workers. In addition, members who are inexperienced and/or OF THE MEANING OF WHAT OF THE MEANING OF WHAT nervous about speaking in public can utilize CWIE’s YOU’RE SAYING IS DERIVED FROM YOU’RE SAYING IS DERIVED FROM mentorship aspect by asking for assistance and YOUR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS HOW THE WORDS ARE SAID guidance from other members who are experienced • Know your audience. What demographic/profession in this realm. are you speaking to? The fear of public speaking is common and in• Recognize you are only human. You are allowed flicts anxiety on a global level. And if you’re in the to make mistakes. Remember when you pause during business world, it can be an everyday struggle. a presentation, it may feel like an eternity to you, but Fortunately, there are countless solutions and in reality, it is only a few seconds. And, most people mechanisms to overcome this fear. Consult your in the audience will be sympathetic if you flub up network to uncover some best practices, do the once or twice. home work, and get rid of • During your speech, engage your audience and take those sweaty palms during the pressure off yourself by using direct questions, your next public speaking videos, cartoons, personal anecdotes, and/or event. Practice, after all, audience participation/interaction. This will not only does make perfect. put your audience at ease but yourself as well. Kristy Hysert • Dress to impress. When you look your best, you will CALGARY WOMEN IN ENERGY PRESIDENT feel and perform at your best.
55% 38%
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NUTRITION
KALETTES MFC Kalettes are a cross between Red Russian Kale & Brussels Sprouts. They can be sautéed, steamed, or stir-fried, or used raw in salads, making them the perfect addition to nearly any meal.
Photography By Kyle K. Fujita
K
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alettes are a brand-new vegetable which just came available in the fall of 2014, blooming with the best flavors of kale and brussels sprouts. The inspiration behind Kalettes came from a desire to create a kale type vegetable which was versatile, easy to prepare and looked great. The result is a truly new vegetable with fantastic flavor which combines the best flavors from brussels sprouts and kale, resulting in a fresh fusion of sweet and nutty. Use Kalettes in scrambled eggs, add it to omelettes or quiches. Chop it up and mix it into crab, quinoa, or risotto cakes. It also makes for a great pizza topping, or as a layer in a lasagna, or even a filling for ravioli. And don’t forget salads, soups and sidedishes. Kalettes are ideal in both raw and cooked applications, and can be an exciting addition to menues. Gordon Food Service,Calgary Division began as a family farm-based gardening operation during the 1930’s under the name “F.M. Tamagi and Sons.” Over the course of the next 70 years, the family owned market gardening business grew steadily and became Bridge Brand Foods. In January 2002, this family business was purchased by Gordon Food Service. GFS Calgary is a broadline distributor who delivers to customers in southern Alberta and parts of E astern British Columbiaand Southwestern Saskatchewan. Markon introduced the Kalettes as a new product to GFS at the end of September, a new item for the market place, full of antioxidants and able to hold in a steam table perfect for banquet season. You can find Kalettes at a few of Calgary’s great restaurants, such as The Living Room, Le Villa Downtown and Avec Bistro. To find out more visit www.kalettes.com.
OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
SEE THE RECIPIES OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
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RECIPIES KALETTES WITH POMEGRANATE & GOAT CHEESE 1lb kalettes balsalmic reduction 1/2 cup pommegranate seeds 1 log goat cheese or bag of crumbled 1 shallot 1-2 tbsp olive oil Dice and saute shallot in oil 5 minutes, blanche kalettes 1 1/2 minutes, put into ice bath, drain and dry. Toss kalettes in pan with shallots. Serve on a platter, garnish drizzle balsalmic reduction and garnish with goat cheese and pomegranate seeds. This dish can be served warm or cold.
KALETTE WITH MANDARIN SOY GLAZE 1lb of kalettes 1 mandarin 1/4 cup cranberries 2 tbsp of soy sauce
3 tbsp sugar 1 clove garlic 2 tblsp canola oil/olive oil salt and pepper to taste
Blanche kalettes for 1 1/2 minutes, plunge into ice bath, (drain and dry). Zest and juice mandarin, set aside. Add oil to pan and heat, add garlic, cook for 2 minutes, add soy sauce, the juice of the mandarin, and sugar, stir until sugar dissolves. Add cranberries and cook until they pop, add kalettes, toss and heat through. Serve and garnish with mandarin zest.
KALETTES WITH BACON, ONION & FIG BALSALMIC 1lb kalettes 3-4 slices bacon 1 small white onion sliced 1/4 cup balsalmic vinegar 2 large tbsp fig spread Cook bacon, set aside. Blanche kalettes for 1 1/2 minutes and plunge into ice bath (drain and dry). Use some of the bacon fat (or all) to sweat onions until translucent, set aside, add balsalmic and fig spread to warm pan and reduce, add kalettes and onion and toss, serve with bacon crumble on top.
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onnecting. It’s a word we hear often, but in today’s ever changing business landscape it is something that remains a constant. Business simply cannot be conducted without connecting. Enter Leadstone Group’s HUB Connect Events. These events are designed to connect Service and Supply companies with Exploration and Production companies doing business in Oilfield HUB. Thursday October 16th, 2014 marked our latest cosponsored HUB Connect Event with Catch Resources Inc. The over 100 attendees gathered to hear Catch Resources President Dale Galbraith speak about their Mutual Fund Trust opportunity. As a micro-junior oil and gas company closing in on their inaugural acquisition, this new opportunity presents a chance for industry and retail investors to learn how Catch is adapting their merger and acquisition strategy to take advantage of positive changes to the exempt market. As a highly regarded thought leader and one of our HUB Benefactor VIP clients, Catch is working with Leadstone Group to help build their audience and tell their story in Oilfield PULSE and through our Oilfield HUB online business community. A resoundingly successful event, many new and beneficial connections were made between investors and Catch Resources as well as with several of the energy services companies in attendance. Thanks to Amy Kittilsen from Black Betty Burger & Winebar for the wonderful venue, and Doug Hodgson from FreshCut HD Communications & Training for being there to take video and photos. Last but certainly not least, a special thanks to Catch Resources for being such a gracious host. We at Leadstone Group look forward to their continued success and working together as their financing strategies are achieved and their business grows! TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CATCH RESOURCES CAPITAL RAISE AND INVESTMENT INITIATIVE CONTACT DALE GALBRAITH AT: DGALBRAITH@CATCHRESOURCES.COM OR 403-863-5773.
PHOTO GALLERY OilfieldPULSE | NOVEMBER 2014
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BUSINESS SENSE
TROUBLE WITH CHANGE PART 2
Me again, your friendly neighbourhood Change guy. As a reminder to you from the October edition of Oilfield PULSE, I’m here to continue to offer you some real life experiences on what Change Management is and how it might apply to your company. First though a reminder on what the heck is Change Management? What this means to me is a set of activities that help people to understand, implement, and ultimately, adopt a new technology or procedure within your company.
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS Once you determine how big or small a change is by introducing a new technology or process, it is imperative to provide leaders with enough information, early, about the change and how their teams may be impacted. Numerous studies have shown that for people who are on the receiving end of a new technology and/or process they prefer time and time again to receive the message from their direct leader. To ensure your leaders are on the same page it may take more than one session so they understand the change enough to clearly articulate what the change is to their teams. Generally what I have seen in my experiences is that project teams and some leadership don’t start telling their teams about the change until all the details are figured out first, or the common phrase “we aren’t ready” is said a lot. Once they deliver a message about the change, usually right before training, the employees are left to wonder, why am I just hearing about this now? Or what were you trying to hide? This approach only increases the lack of trust or engagement you expect to see from your people in order to realize your investment. It is better to feed information as early and as often as possible, even if we don’t know all the answers. If
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you don’t know the answer, tell your team when you expect to know the answer and will communicate that as soon as you know. An example of some leadership activities that I have led in the past for a large technology implementation in an Oil & Gas/Construction services company was hosting bi-weekly/monthly manager briefings. These were 30 min conference calls for any leader (approximately 200-300) in the company. The topic of discussion was known prior to the meeting and ranged from items like service work order updates, purchase order changes, warehouse automation, logistics, and anything else that was important to share for all leaders. THESE AGENDAS USUALLY CONSISTED OF THE FOLLOWING • Why is this topic important for the company or your role • What is changing and/or different than today and what does it mean to you • 15-20 minute update from a project team member with in-depth knowledge of new system or process • 2 or 3 questions addressed on the call and how to ask further questions if you didn’t get a chance to ask • What to expect now or next steps
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
IN PRACTICE
RETURN ON INVESTMENT REALIZED AND SYSTEM FULLY ADOPTED
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS Outline what the change is (for example, Oilfied HUB as your new vendor management system), why it is important to the company, and what the change means for leadership, and your people
BI-WEEKLY LEADERSHIP UPDATES Reinforcing why the change is important, what the change means to them, and how they should be communicating with their teams. Prepare a transition plan with their team
EMPLOYEE WORKSHOPS Facilitated by the leaders. What is the change, why it is important, and what it will mean to their daily work.
• What is the next topic • Who you need to communicate these messages to (what type of position or role needs to hear this info) • When you can expect to see more details on this topic - be as open and transparent as possible • Key messages to deliver to your teams After the conference call and within 24 hours of the call itself, a one-page manager briefing sheet was sent to everyone who attended the call. The consistent expectation was to have a conversation, not a one-way telling session either, with their teams about what they learned in the call and how they might be impacted by what was shared. In today’s information age where it can be hard pressed to remember what you ate for lunch the day before, providing this briefing sheet within 24 hours of the conference call was critical so leaders could share it with their teams while it was relatively top of mind. As they share the briefing information with their teams and questions that came out of those discussions that they didn’t know they would; 1 Send questions to a central location/website/ email address where it could be answered or when an answer will be known if it wasn’t. 2 Contact their branch representative(s) in their
REGULAR EMPLOYEE UPDATES What is the change, why it is important, and what they can do to prepare for the change.
REAL LIFE SCENARIO TRAINING Day in the life sessions with the new technology or procedure, walk through transition plan with the team. Post golive hands on support
location that might know the answer already or they would then reach out to someone in the project team for an answer. In future articles I will outline why you need an influencer group of people to help you see the project through to the finish line. If this sounds like a lot of extra work, I’m not going to tell you that it isn’t. However, if you don’t put in this work consistently before a launch of a new technology or process, you will be left with employees who choose not to follow the new technology, side track and spread negative rumors/ information amongst their colleagues and the list goes on. Engage with both your leaders and your teams early and often. The reason why we do this work? Results in quicker return on investment and employee buy-in to follow the new technology or process. Contact me if you have any questions or are wondering how this might work in your organization.
By Trevor Deeks DIRECTOR T DEEKS CONSULTING INC. TDEEKSCONSULTING@GMAIL.COM
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ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
THE
CALIFORNIA
POPPY CAN IT HELP PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM NIGHT PAIN?
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A
ccording to the medical literature, 50% to 89% of chronic pain patients complain of poor sleep and/or feeling unrefreshed upon awakening. Sleep has an essential function especially for recovery in chronic pain conditions. A prospective study in patients with fibromyalgia demonstrated nights with poor sleep tended to be followed by days with greater pain, and days with greater pain lead to nights with greater sleep disturbance. This type of sleep disturbance is common in many other types of chronic pain conditions. The body of evidence demonstrates the importance of considering sleep when assessing and treating pain. These two vital functions, sleep and pain, are also inter-related with anxiety and depression. In fact, insomnia, anxiety, and depression are frequent co-morbidities associated with chronic pain. Disrupted sleep and rest patterns and poor sleep quality were positively correlated with depression and pain-related disability. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is used for treating pain and insomnia and has a reputation for providing restful sleep. But, can this herb help you with your night pain? California poppy is the state flower of California, but it grows naturally all the way up the coast to British Columbia and is found on Vancouver Island and other areas in Southern British Columbia. California poppy has a long traditional use history as an analgesic, anxiolytic, and sedative. According to the historical use, when used as a sleep aid, the time it takes to fall asleep is reduced and sleep quality is improved. There are no reported cases of addiction or physical dependence to California poppy, which makes this herb an interesting choice in the management of chronic pain. The dual properties of sedation and analgesia make this herb an optimal remedy for night pain. Herbal remedies typically have complex mech足 anisms of action and different plant parts tend to have different clinical uses. This is the case with California poppy. The active part of the plant is the dried aerial parts. This is not the same thing as poppy seeds! Experimental research using extracts of the aerial parts (herb top) of California poppy confirmed the potential therapeutic properties of the herb. The
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ALTERNATIVE HEALTH analgesic, sedative, and anxiolytic effects of California poppy are dose-dependent with the anxiolytic effects occurring at lower doses than the sedative effects. The sedative effect clearly shows an impact from the herb on the central nervous system. Other researchers described sedation and analgesia were also dose-dependent in humans. Some people report fantastic dreaming when using this herb as a sleep aid. It is hypothesized this dreaming is the result of the herb’s influence on sleep cycles and it helps provide restorative sleep. A clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe chronic pain evaluated the potential benefits of a standardized extract on pain and sleep. The results of the study demonstrated significant pain relief and improved sleep. Additional studies are required to consider this
California poppy remedies can be effective for night pain because of the dual properties of analgesia and sedation. benefit evidence-based. These results confirm the traditional use of California poppy in the treatment of pain and/or insomnia and explain why some people report obtaining restful sleep from the herb. A common mistake is poppy seeds are from California poppy. Poppy seeds are obtained from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). The poppy seeds are harvested from dried seed pods and are used, whole or ground, in many bakery type foods and can be processed to make edible oil. Yes, poppy seeds are harvested from the same plant cultivated to make opium. Poppy seeds are harvested when the seed pod is ripe, which is after the seed pod has dried. Whereas, traditionally, opium is harvested when the seed pods are green (unripe) and their latex is abundant. Seeds are just beginning to grow when the seed pod is green. The opium poppy plant contains narcotic alkaloids, such as morphine and codeine. Contrary to common belief, poppy seeds do not contain the opium alkaloids. However, poppy seeds can
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become contaminated with opium alkaloids as a result of insect damage or because of poor harvesting practices. Poppy seeds can contain very low levels of opium alkaloids and therefore are not useful as pain or sleep remedies. However, people, especially children, who consume a large amount of poppy seeds may obtain a positive urine test for narcotics because of the traces of opium alkaloids in contaminated seeds. As with any pharmacologically-active ingredient, side effects are possible with the use of California poppy. The most common side effect is drowsiness. If taking this herb, be very careful if you are using heavy machinery, driving a motor vehicle, or involved in activities requiring mental alertness. An infrequent side effect is excitation, which is a paradoxal effect to the drowsiness and sedative properties. The excitation will result in insomnia when the herb is taken at bedtime. From a pharmacology perspective, the excitation is not surprising as it is known to occur in people taking medications that act on the same targets (i.e., receptors) in the brain. The alkaloids in California poppy are from the same family of molecules as morphine and codeine. People allergic to these drugs, or other opioid drugs, were also allergic to California poppy and supplements containing this herb. Bottom line, California poppy remedies can be effective for night pain because of the dual properties of analgesia and sedation. This herb could be right for you if you are suffering from night pain. It is important to talk to your health care provider prior to taking this herb if you are taking medications for pain, sleep, anxiety, or depression. California poppy is a sedative and is known to have additive effects, such as potentiating drowsiness when taken with alcohol, tranquilizers, sedatives, antidepressants, and some other drugs. It could also have interactions with the drugs prescribed by your health care provider.
By Guy Chamberland, M.SC., PH.D., MASTER HERBALIST, HEALTH PRODUCTÂ CONSULTANT CONTACT HIM AT GUYCHAMBERLANDMASTERHERBALIST@LIVE.CA.
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