THI S IS
/C ING
SUE
LL DRI
API
TAL
$5.99 OCTOBER 2014
CATCH RESOURCES DOUBLE FEATURE
PRESIDENT & CEO DALE GALBRAITH EXPLAINS
UNDERCAPITALIZATION SUSTAINABILITY PLUS
ENVIRO-CELEBS LATIN AMERICAN
DRILLING OPPORTUNITIES
MANAGEMENT
MADE LEAN
Ki JAPANESE
MODERN
TRAIN GAME RIDING FOR CANCER A PERSONAL STORY OF A FIGHTER
APP REV.
PETROFEED
TRIUMPH THIS
THANKSGIVING
Dale Galbraith PRESIDENT & CEO CATCH RESOURCES INC.
WHERE THE ENERGY INDUSTRY GETS ITS RESOURCES
Energy Service Companies require a bank that responds to their needs, understands market conditions, sector cycles and seasonality. With over 25 years of expertise and strong industry knowledge, the National Bank Energy Services Group has tailored its products to meet the needs of this unique industry. Your partner in business Calgary: 403-770-1095 Edmonton: 780-409-3563 Toll Free: 1-877-BANKNAT (1-877-226-5628)
energyservices@nbc.ca
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OCTOBER 2014
contents FEATURES
12
20 26 38
Enviro Celebrities One persons take (or rant) on celebs, along with their questionable moral compass
12 26
Drilling Opportunities Colombia, Argentina, and other markets
Trouble with Change Change management made practical
Riding for Cancer A personal story of a fighter
56 58 62
Growing up Modest Spoiling in the 21st century
Sinusitis Balloon sinus dilation
App Review The app that gives you the status of rigs in Western Canada, and it’s free!
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56
58 30 About the Cover Catch Resources & dealing with capital, & sustaining your business.
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OilfieldPULSE | OCTOBER 2014
Cover By Kyle K. Fujita
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.
Contact Us
Contact Us
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)
OCTOBER 2014
contents
14
DEPARTMENTS
14
Plains Perspective
Lean Management - as a journey not a destination, Plains opens its doors to anyone interested
24
24 42 44 46 48 52 60
Local Eats Ki - Modern Japanese and Bar
42 46
Person in Profile Jessica Stermann of Laricina Energy Ltd.
The Training Game Putting money into your staff, and your ROI
Liquor Lane
Education & Events
Calgary Women in Energy
44
Connecting women with purpose
Wine & Dine Triumph this Thanksgiving with Sunterra Alternative Health Vitamin D supplements
48 52 10 6
CEO Message Does your company have a voice?
OilfieldPULSE | OCTOBER 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
CEO KEVIN TURKO | Kevin.Turko@LeadstoneGroup.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR KYLE K. FUJITA | Kyle.Fujita@LeadstoneGroup.com
MANAGING EDITOR ANDREA TURKO | Andrea.Turko@LeadstoneGroup.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR AMANDA LEE | Amanda.Lee@LeadstoneGroup.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR BARB LEE | Barb.Lee@LeadstoneGroup.com
VICE PRESIDENT SALES DAVE O’CONNOR | Dave.OConnor@LeadstoneGroup.com
NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER CHAD CARBNO | Chad.Carbno@LeadstoneGroup.com
DIRECTOR - CLIENT RELATIONS KAREN KEITH | Karen.Keith@LeadstoneGroup.com FINANCE & ADMIN JEANNIE YIP | Finance_Admin@LeadstoneGroup.com
OILFIELD PULSE
ADVERTISING INDEX 2 NATIONAL BANK
17 BLACK BETTY BURGER & WINEBAR
63 MILLENNIUM DIRECTIONAL SERVICE LTD.
5 PAJAK ENGINEERING LTD.
18 KENSINGTON RIVERSIDE INN
64 PLAINS FABRICATION
7 EVOLUTION OIL TOOLS INC.
22 SIDELINE GRILL & SPORTS LOUNGE
9 HUB OPERATIONS REPORT MANAGER
29 CATCH RESOURCES
11 OILFIELD HUB
41 ARIZONA VACATION RENTALS
13 HUB SPOTLIGHT
51 DATA SHAPPERS
13 HUB VENDOR OF THE MONTH
59 KENSINGTON RIVERSIDE INN
© 2014 by Leadstone Group Inc.
For advertising inquiries or editorial submissions please contact: Production@LeadstoneGroup.com
SPONSORED BY
PUBLISHED BY
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LEADSTONEGROUP.COM
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
OPERATIONS REPORT MANAGER
WEB BASED ACCESS TO YOUR CRITICAL WELL DATA
STAY CURRENT WITH REAL TIME BROWSER ACCESS TO MONITOR & REPORT DRILLING, COMPLETIONS, & CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THEIR OPERATIONS LIFE CYCLE
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FIELD COST MANAGER
Oilfield HUB is now offering a better way to organize your well operations reporting and a revolutionary field cost manager module to control project expenses. There is no question about the need for greater control over and reduction of field expenses. For a live presentation of our Operations Report Manager module and the powerful Field Cost Manager call us toll free at 1-866-883-8848 or click the link to schedule a demo.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A DEMO
CEO MESSAGE DOES YOUR COMPANY HAVE
A VOICE? S
o what does issuing a monthly digital magazine have to do with our primary focus on supply chain management and operations in the oil and gas industry? We fill our days talking about industry-specific product and service search results, preferred vendor lists, project management, controlling field costs, operations reporting and managing the lifecycle of an operator’s services, supplies and rentals. Pretty distant subjects as compared to filling the pages of our Oilfield PULSE magazine! We often get asked this question, from both energy services companies and exploration and production companies we have crossed paths regarding our Oilfield HUB service. We too are a service provider to the patch. We really don’t regard ourselves as being a media house or publisher, so why take on the lofty goal of putting out a magazine each and every month, not only for the benefit of our readers, but for all of those individuals and companies who have contributed time to submit editorial, or spent money to advertise in Oilfield PULSE? Well the world is changing, particularly in how we are marketing our companies. And if you are a micro-junior or junior don’t stop reading this article just yet, as marketing your oil and gas company is every bit as important as it is for energy services company who constantly strive to market to you. It doesn’t matter what side of the industry fence you are sitting on, we all should devote a little more time each month focused on creating an audience for our companies. Whether it’s to generate interest and leads for your products and services, or to raise capital for your next drilling program, marketing can help. And let’s not get confused, this is not marketing by expense account! It’s using whatever marketing tools, platforms, social
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OilfieldPULSE | OCTOBER 2014
networks and services we deem necessary to reach our target customers, where they are hanging out, to promote our company brands and broaden the understanding and interest in what we do. Of course, our flagship market tool for Oilfield HUB, is our Oilfield PULSE magazine. Why? We are creating a place for buyers and decision makers in the energy business to hang out, however long or briefly each month. This is the same audience our customers in Oilfield HUB are struggling to reach. The PULSE provides an opportunity, not only for our hard core marketing brethren, but for anyone in our online business community to tell their stories, get something off their chest, or to pitch their wares. It’s certainly not the only marketing tool we use to promote Leadstone, and our services, but it is one heck of a way to keep our stakeholders front and center with an audience which is very important to them. We all can’t create a magazine to promote our brand and market to our companies. We can however, create awesome content in many forms to get our message out there. We can choose to do it organically by consistently spreading the word over the Internet, or we can pay to get to the top of the list instantly. Whatever method you chose, there is no right or wrong answer, just get involved. As one of my sales colleague says, there isn’t just one way to market your products and services, nor a single sales process to close a deal, do whatever works!
Kevin Turko CEO LEADSTONE GROUP 403.537.6561
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E
G
C
GALI LAKANFUSHI
OPINION
THE
ENVIRO-CELEB I
f you live in Alberta, you have most likely heard about the recent celebrity activism in Fort McMurray regarding the oilsands. Since the Neil Young debacle earlier this year, several celebrities have come forward in expressing their outrage and cynical concern regarding the development of the oilsands. The latest in this new celebrity trend is Hollywood’s golden boy, Leonardo Dicaprio. While there is no harm in a healthy debate regarding issues surrounding the oilsands, for activists who are actually serious about environmental issues, celebrity activism can do more harm to the message than good. Sure, the issues are amplified in the media because of their famous stature, but it is very easy for the public to refute their creditability when their actions are so easily exposed. After all, it’s not easy to hide a private, 500-foot, gas guzzling yacht at the World Cup from the paparazzi. The hypocrisy is easy to identify when you are under the scrutiny of the public. Besides having carbon footprints that match their enormous egos, these celebrities are only interested in
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the side of the industry that will create the most turmoil in the media. What they choose to ignore when condemning the oilsands are the impressive reclamation efforts that are evident in Fort McMurray, the innovative green technology extraction methods, and the environmentally conscious community, present in the city and province wide. What these celebrities do not realize in their short lived, loose lipped protest against the industry is this province is our home, and we are proud to call it that. The residents here make an effort every day to better their home, including bettering practices in the industry. Being involved in the industry allows us to see the good, the bad, and the ugly, but also the progress we have already made. We also know we need real solutions to cleaner energy, and we work towards that goal every day not just when our reputations need a boost. Skyelar Siwak BUSINESS CONSULTANT
VENDOR OF THE MONTH
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW COMPANIES LIKE UNIFIED VALVE GROUP ARE USING OILFIELD HUB TO GET IN THE DOOR WITH OPERATORS TO BECOME PREFERRED VENDORS?
GIVE US A CALL AT 403-537-6561 OR SEND US AN EMAIL
SPOTLIGHT
OVER 40 YEARS OF SUPPLYING QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO THE WESTERN CANADA EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY. MUDCO SERVICES LTD. IS THE LONGEST SERVING PRIVATELY OWNED DRILLING FLUIDS COMPANY OPERATING IN CANADA
403.269.5359 | DRILLINGFLUIDS@MUDCO.COM
OilfieldPULSE | OCTOBER 2014
13
PLAINS PERSPECTIVE
MANAGEMENT
MADE
LEAN P
lains Fabrication has been using Lean tools for 12 years. It is a “journey not a destination” as the old saying goes, and the journey has made our business better. Any new policy or procedure needs to be accepted by the middle managers and the employees who use the system in order to sustain success. We are proud of our people and they are the reason we are a successful company. Our culture has been able to grow because we often make use of “Lean tools”, and we are often used as a model citizen in the “Lean world”. We tour many companies through our facility every year and are happy to do it. I invite anyone reading this article to call me and come for a tour to see our facility. For those that have no idea what ‘Lean’ is I would equate it to one of those multi-tool kits you can buy at the hardware store. There are different tools with multiple functions inside. Some you will use regularly and some you will never use at all. If you are thinking about utilizing Lean you should be prepared because the amount of training required to truly understand the tools is a big undertaking. It will be exciting and incredibly taxing which means you will have to direct your team consistently and guide them through the hills and valleys of change. Nowadays they like to tag this tumultuous period with the term ‘change management’. Your managers need to understand organizational behavior theory and be excellent communicators. Your people need to be excellent
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ADVOCATE
OilfieldPULSE | OCTOBER 2014
15
communicators and understand healthy conflict versus destructive conflict. You need to focus on this before you focus on “Lean tools”. When our company reaches capacity workflow, it often overtakes our ability to follow the true continuous improvement methodology. This isn’t supposed to happen, but even with our years of experience we are not perfect. I mention this because you should expect true Lean to be difficult to maintain, and hard to manage at times. If you hire a consultant don’t believe them if they tell you anything different. If your consultant is not an expert in organizational behavior, coaching and communication I wish you good luck. The ‘black belt’ is a certificate which tells you they
The important thing to remember is that the fundamental “Lean” program that is sold to many companies is not always realistic. understand a methodology - it does not give them the ability to lead people through what will amount to a difficult transition period in their professional lives. When you are building a team of people who are not afraid of change and are willing to question everything they know professionally - it takes time and the ability to understand the human condition – not a process and procedure expert. You will inevitably end up in discussions about things like “buy-in” and no doubt you already talk about employee culture. On a positive note - of all the things Lean has done for Plains Fabrication it has definitely built a culture that accepts change. Keep in mind when considering lean or six-sigma, you will often hear the consultants or mentors offering sage advice that amounts to ‘if you build it – they will come’. What do I mean by that? Basically, you will ask a direct question that given a good answer will help you lead your team or company. What you actually get in return is a vague answer that would make any politician proud. I have seen Lean experts answer a question with a question; they will deflect and talk about another company’s success; they will let you know there is a system or tool that
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will help you. They will do absolutely everything except give you a direct answer that you can take back to your workplace and actually use. Without getting into the history of Lean most of the major names on the conference circuit have worked or trained with Toyota. If you manufacture widgets then these guys know their stuff. If you provide a service, work in an office, or custom manufacture anything Toyota Lean still has great value, but don’t seek that value from a Toyota Guru. In my experience, Toyota Gurus are the worst offenders of the ‘if you build it – they will come’ mentality. My best example is the time I asked a former plant manager of Toyota what they do when certain trades are hard to find. I asked the question because he had rolled out the Lean tools that help you hire employees, but if employees are scarce how can you be so picky as to use this rather complicated method for hiring people? His answer: “Toyota follows lean, and as such they get thousands of resumes a month because of people who want to work there. The Lean culture will make people want to work for your company. So once you get the basics down people will want to work for you because of the great reputation you will build by being Lean leaders.” We think Lean is a fantastic business tool in the same way the Four Disciplines of Execution is a fantastic business tool. The important thing to remember is that the fundamental “Lean” program that is sold to many companies is not always realistic. It can and does work once you learn the principles and adapt them to your business. Once your people are prepared for the culture shock, you train them to be strong communicators, and get them to accept positive conflict on a daily basis. There are plenty of positive ways to approach Lean and many great outcomes of the tools. Just stop by Plains first so we can give you the reality of what Lean looks like in the real world. I can almost guarantee you that you won’t build anything until you understand what it takes to get the foundation right. By Tom McCaffery GENERAL MANAGER PLAINS FABRICATION
COME TO REST Kensington Riverside Inn is pleased to be Calgary’s first and only Relais & Châteaux property. Back in November 2013, the 19-room Inn was accepted into a prestigious fellowship of upscale hotels and restaurants across the globe, joining 12 others across Canada and over 500 worldwide. “Only the world’s top hospitality properties are branded as such” says Jesse Ziercke, Hotel Manager of the Inn “and it is such an honour to bring a Calgary property into the mix”. Built in 1999, Kensington Riverside Inn opened as an upscale bed and breakfast near the banks of the Bow River. In August of 2007, the Hotel Arts Group, a Calgary based hotel and restaurant company, acquired the Inn and began renovations to build a new restaurant, Chef’s Table, as well as to contemporize the property without compromising any of its original charms…and charms it does have! To be accepted into the Relais & Châteaux family, a property must live and breathe the 5 C’s: charm, character, calm, courtesy and cuisine - five standards of quality the Kensington Riverside Inn was able to exceed with excellence and honour. One charm that stands out is cuisine. Known as an exquisite fine dining restaurant in the city, Chef’s Table offers a dining experience truly like no other. Watch talented chefs tableside in the 40-seat restaurant as they create classical French dishes that are artistically presented but taste even better than they look. Breakfast, dinner and weekend brunch menus reflect seasonal, local ingredients created by award-winning Chef Duncan Ly, silver medalist at the Canadian Culinary Championships. The intimate nature of this boutique inn makes it the ideal place to
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INSIDER
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Petroleum platform on the Guanabara bay in Rio de Janeiro
DRILLING
OPPORTUNITIES I N LATI N AM E R ICA
After a few years of relative quiet, the Latin American drilling market is heating up for a new phase of growth. Led today by Colombia and Argentina, the region has seen rig counts double over the last ten years, and the expectation is the market will continue to grow. Rainmaker has offices headquartered in Bogota, Colombia to oversee opportunities throughout Latin America. It is led by Warren Levy, a 20-year industry veteran, who founded and ran a drilling services company from startup through public listing to become a regional powerhouse with operations in seven countries with over 2,000 employees. The company is currently working with both operators and service companies that want to enter Latin America to assist them with market entry strategy, positioning, and operational preparedness.
OilfieldPULSE | OCTOBER 2014
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COLOMBIA The Colombian market has undergone a fundamental improvement over the last 15 years. The government’s attention to security, and the creation of a business friendly investment regime, has seen across the board changes that have led to major increases in foreign investment in the oil and gas sector. Even without the peace process and its promise of an end to the decade long strife with armed rebels, security has improved fundamentally, with most areas of Colombia now firmly open for business. Bidding rules, which have encouraged the entry of small and medium sized operators, and the success of numerous companies such as Pacific Rubiales, Canacol, Parex ,and others have helped spur the growth of production to meet the government’s goal of 1,000,000 bbls/day. The outlook going forward includes large potential nonconventional reserves, new offshore projects, and continued increases in conventional production. A successful market entry requires an understanding of the administrative steps and logistics challenges of operating in the country and contacts with operators and government personnel to identify and fully understanding the opportunities in the country. ARGENTINA The shale gas and oil boom is on in Argentina. According to the EIA, Argentina is home to the second largest reserves of gas in the world, and with new non-conventional horizons having being recently discovered in the south to augment the already identified potential of the Vaca Muerta formation, the future for the country is bright. Rig count has more than doubled over the last 18 months to see over 140 drilling rigs operating. The country has leap-frogged from old outdated technology to demanding high tech, AC, automated drilling rigs. Similar leaps have been made across the spectrum of technologies, and Argentina is rapidly improving efficiencies to unlock the potential of the massive reserves. Navigating the market requires a deep understanding of the
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local labour challenges, the fiscal environment, and contacts with key operators, such as YPF, Shell, Exxon, Total, PlusPetrol, Tecpetrol, and others. OTHER MARKETS The recently announced constitutional energy reform in Mexico has caught the attention of numerous foreign firms interested in tapping into the massive reserves of that country. Ecuador has found a service led business model, which has seen activity increase dramatically over the last two years. Peru’s massive jungle based gas reserves, long held to the multi TCF Camisea project, have the potential of finally seeing new development with the long delayed environmental permits finally
The coming decade should see rig counts in the region grow to close to 1,000 operating rigs, providing ample opportunity for new players to enter the market. being approved. And, the region also offers the massive developments of deepwater offshore Brazil and the heavy oil belts of Venezuela; although, the first market is well supplied, and the later is a market only for companies with a high risk tolerance. The coming decade should see rig counts in the region grow to close to 1,000 operating rigs, providing ample opportunity for new players to enter the market. Factoring in the age of much of the equipment in the region, opportunities exist for service companies looking to enter the market and operators who want to leverage more advanced technologies and operating techniques to improve efficiency. Warren Levy DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER ESTRELLA INTERNATIONAL ENERGY SERVICES
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LOCAL EATS
ki
MODERN JAPANESE + BAR THE SPOT: Stunning. Located on 4th Ave and about 3rd St. on the ground floor of Jamieson Place is Ki Modern Japanese and Bar. An expansive patio rests right on 4th Ave that gives a bit of urban garden to the front of the restaurant. Upon entering, a beautiful water feature and the smiling faces of the host station greet you into a sleek, black façade. The lounge and dining room are elegantly, yet casually, laid out with vaulted ceilings that open up the room and gives an immenseness to the space. The bar is bright and spans the restaurant and on the back side, you can see the sushi bar where the chefs are wielding knives and carefully crafting the day’s offerings. Sectioned off with a focus on traditional Japanese settings mixed heavily with current accents makes the space comfortable, interesting and perfect for business lunches, afternoon cocktails or a sophisticated dinner.
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WHAT’S SPECIAL: Fusion is a word that has been dreadfully beat to death. We get it, you put some Asian shrimp in stuffed pasta, or a ‘traditional’ pizza adorned with tandoori chicken and so on and so on. While this foodie trend is all over the place, Ki has an approach that truly is a fusion of sorts. The elements of the typical sushi bar are there, the divided booths, the chefs in hats slicing up large pieces of salmon, art and other touches that have definitely come from the Pacific Rim adorn the room, but an entire focus on colour schemes and lay-out make it distinctively different than your local sushi spot. In addition, while the menu does have all the expected offerings, the ingredients have been elevated and they have taken a heavy influence from cocktail bars to create Japanese-like appetizers and dishes that have more well-known and popular flavours. The combining of elements is done subtly and perfectly here, making it a delicious, nontraditional, but exciting place to eat.
THE MENU: As described, this is, at the end of the day, a Japanese restaurant, so while there is tempura, various nigiri, sashimi and rolls – there is more of everything. While a California roll features real crab and is magnificently prepared, the more adventurous may try the Hamachi + Bacon roll or the Tempura Butterfish roll. Bento boxes come with a Napa slaw and instead of a predictable teriyaki, there is a ginger-soy tuna, a seven-spice roasted chicken and a beef tenderloin with honey mushrooms. In the appetizer section, the tempura shrimp are crispy, yet delicate, but after having that, it would be a mistake to miss the sake-braised pork belly and green onion or the shrimp and scallops with a mango hot sauce. So traditionalists can get their favourite, the less adventurous has some options and the truly blessed get the best of both worlds and can explore the amazing flavor combos designed here. There are many more plates and some twists on burgers that tie together the whole show. An extensive cocktail menu makes this a perfect spot for a drink, and, of course, there is Kirin, Sapporro and a lengthy, detailed selection of sakes available.
THE VIBE: Easily being one of the most eyecatching spots in downtown Calgary ensures people will be treated to something special. The service is courteous, efficient and more professional than most places offer. A hot towel before dining, nary an empty glass or tea cup is left unattended and the team coordinates together to ensure people are served and bussed in a prompt manner. For a more restrained, refined happy hour, Ki cannot be beat. The lounge is spacious and the crowd is relaxed and enjoying the environment. The dining room offers intimate celebrations and is perfect for impressing. All in all, the unique experience you will have at Ki will strike the right chord with all your senses and make returning and trying other items a necessity.
ki modern japanese + bar 120 JAMIESON PLACE, 308 4TH AVENUE SW CALGARY, AB
By Chris Grabill
OilfieldPULSE | OCTOBER 2014
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BUSINESS SENSE
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TROUBLE WITH CHANGE
Y
ou have just spent countless hours and large amounts of money planning to improve the way your company operates through a new technology or new streamlined process. The excitement is palatable. It is days or weeks before you “go-live”, and the people who are supposed to change the way they work on a daily basis have no idea what precisely is happening or where, or who, this initiative came from. You spend the shortening timeline trying to “sell” the change or by “telling” people this is how it is going to be, which potentially results in apathy or silent resistance from your team. The efficiency at which you were aiming is lost. Sound familiar? WHO AM I? With over 10 years of experience in technology and/or process implementation at large companies, I have managed projects utilizing lean Six Sigma (process improvement and optimization) methodology. I have led change management on large and small-scale technology implementations with a focus on how workers are impacted by the various projects and initiatives undertaken by a company’s leadership. WHAT THE HECK IS CHANGE MANAGEMENT? You may have heard the term in a project manage ment publication or a business or classroom setting you have been in and wondered this question aloud. The formal definition is a set of planned
actions that increase the probability of successful implementation while building the engagement, capacity, and capability of people in the organiza tion to move from a current state to a future state. 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. Everyone is different in how they react and deal with change, whether it is a general manager, purchasing representative, engineer, mechanic, sales representative, and the list goes on. The other main mission is avoiding the trap of needing to ‘sell or tell’ the new technology or procedure is crucial to avoid in order for your people to feel the sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. These methods have limited success and will cause constant struggles to achieve the required buy-in from those affected. WHY SHOULD YOU CARE WHAT CHANGE MANAGEMENT IS? • Quicker return on investment for the technology you purchased or procedure you decided to change. • Clearer understanding from everyone impacted on why the change is necessary. • Feeling of ownership by those people who have to implement the new technology or procedure. • Awareness and understanding of how daily tasks/ activities fit into the bigger picture of where the company is going or planning to go.
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BUSINESS SENSE WHO DOES CHANGE MANAGEMENT? EVERYONE! But, it must start at leadership to communicate as frequently and often as possible. It is ultimately up to the leaders and influencers (may not be a manager) in a company who should have consistent communication and conversations with their teams about how the change will impact them personally and how they can prepare for it. Change management is no longer only relevant in the sphere of large companies with layers of employees and divisions. With constant great advances in business operations, small companies can affordably access highly evolved technology in accounting, vendor management, customer management, asset management, and other areas. The importance of buy-in from your people is paramount to realize the benefits and have an engaged workforce. Gone are the days where business owners and managers rely on authoritative (telling) or coercive (selling) methods to enact change. Including your people as early and as often as possible will ensure your plans come to fruition. HOW DOES IT WORK? Planned activities that occur prior to implemen tation of a new technology or procedure help to introduce what the specific group can expect to see or not see when it comes time for implementation.
NOW WHAT? If you have recently implemented a new technology like the Oilfield HUB or new procedure into your company, I encourage you to think about how it will impact your people and to what degree it does. Also, if you are the manager or business owner, ask yourself if wearing another ‘hat’ as change management lead is in your best interest and in your capability considering your other time and role constraints in operations today. Examine change within your organization and see the failures and successes. Feel free to contact me for a chat, ask questions, or submit requests for cases or challenges to this feature. Who knows, it may be beneficial to see how the impacts of thorough, coherent change management can assist you and your team. In future articles, I will share some examples on how this looked inside a larger corporation and relate it back to how it might apply to your situation.
By Trevor Deeks DIRECTOR T DEEKS CONSULTING INC.
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
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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
OilfieldPULSE | OCTOBER 2014
EMPLOYEE WORKSHOPS Facilitated by the leaders. What is the change, why it is important, and what it will mean to their daily work.
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
In the business of oil
micro junior sector mergers | acquisitions | joint ventures Catch Resources Inc. catchresources.com 1.403.863.5773
FEATURE
O
OK to be clear, for the vast majority of entrepreneurs, creating a start-up does not require you know the Fibonacci sequence of numbers or the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic; however it does necessitate that you pay attention to the serious consequences of underfunding your venture, or, through general lack of financial knowledge, mismanage your capital resources once in operation. The consequential evidence of overlooking the aforementioned is overwhelming. Based on widely available statistical data the vast majority of evidence suggests over 70% of business failures in younger firms can be attributed to under-funding, and or, capital miss-management. This statistic alone should prove a clear warning sign and provide a bastion of sensibility to all would be entrepreneurs. For those intrepid adventurers may I suggest the following mantra for consideration; undercapitalization is the kiss of death! CONTINUED
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THE KISS OF DEATH OR SLOW SUICIDE
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FEATURE
F
or many who have started or owned businesses, ensuring adequate capital, in many cases, is easier said than done. Not pray-tell, do to lack of knowledge or understanding on the subject; goodness knows the perils of such naiveté are well documented. Rather, in part, I suggest there is a strong tendency to let our guard down when confronted with this challenge. Many of the tasks and necessities required to ‘start’ a business can be dealt with on a pragmatic basis and in most instances are done so with objective enthusiasm. However, when the subject and attention turns to financing, the stress can elevate to ‘hair-graying’ levels. There are few details during the start-up and operational phase of one’s business that strikes as much fear and anxiety in us than raising capital. Even the most seasoned business journeyman could attest to that. It’s during this tenuous process however that our enthusiasm, and dare I say, ego, taunt our subconscious with false thoughts and confirmations. Against our best judgment and counter to sound business practice, our ‘reality index’ is challenged.
% 80 70 60
Then it happens! The mind begins to play nasty tricks on us. Suddenly it’s telling you not to worry, you will find the money so just go ahead and get started, or; you don’t really need as much as you think, or; your idea is too good to resist so additional money will be available once you start, or; sales will be adequate to fund your needs internally! And so on and so on… until finally you believe such folly and proceed unabated, not expecting this ‘compromise’ could possibly lead to the suicide note posted on the business door. Here’s the key! And a crucial item, which cannot be over-emphasized. Proper management of existing capital and adequate funding of your business, especially in the start-up phase, are two of the most important factors attributed to long term business success, Period! On the negative side of that coin however, lurks the ugly cousin. Improper allocation of capital combined with under-funding run virtually parallel as the two primary factors of business failures. This is of fundamental importance given that in cases where funding appeared adequate, miss-
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT DEFICIENCIES 78%
EXTERNAL INTERNAL
63%
50
43%
40 30
73%
40%
42%
50%
20 10 0 %
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10% EXCESSIVE CASH WITHDRAWALS
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UNBALANCED CAPITAL STRUCTURE
INABLILITY TO MANAGE WORKING CAPITAL
UNDER CAPITALIZATION
management of capital in both young and matured firms contributed equally as an ‘internal variable’ to the ultimate demise of the business. But here’s an interesting side-note, a Statistics Canada study goes on to further state, that the latter confirm the finding that; “initial problems in financial structure are difficult to overcome and continue to haunt firms as they age” (Baldwin and Johnson 1997). With many start-up requirements absorbing vast amounts of the business owner’s time and energies, it’s understandable how would-be entrepreneurs overlook the importance of this. Unfortunately, in many cases the individuals responsible simply lack the knowledge or experience to fully understand the ramifications or importance, adequate capital has on the very survival of the firm. The probability of survival or failure among younger firms arguably has different causes than older firms. Over time however “firms ultimately succeed or fail as a function of their ability to create and sustain value through the deployment of strategic assets” (Learning from failure Stewart Thornhill & Raphael Amit). In addition, financial
% 80 70 60
and marketing management deficiencies play a greater role in the failure of young firms, thus young firms will be more prone to failure as a function of general management knowledge, skills and abilities. Therefore, the importance of internal financial management for younger businesses in particular, cannot be overstated.
Proper management of existing capital, and adequate funding of your business, especially in the start-up phase, is two of the most important factors attributed to long term business success, Period! To help put this in perspective, let’s use a widely accepted acknowledgment of a really ‘big lie’ to highlight this point. You know the one, the one
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS CONTRIBUTING TO BANKRUPTCY: BY AGE OF FIRM
YOUNG OLD
50
51%
52%
58% 62%
67% 54%
40 30 20
25%
29%
10 0 % EXCESSIVE CASH WITHDRAWALS
Source: Statistics Canada
UNBALANCED CAPITAL STRUCTURE
INABILITY TO MANAGE WORKING CAPITAL
UNDER CAPITALIZATION
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FEATURE told by BP about the number of barrels being leaked into the gulf. Yup, that one! Well eventually, as in all lies the truth prevails at which time the consequences of turning a blind eye becomes self-evident. Accordingly, think about the reality of not addressing or overlooking entirely the need or requirement for adequate capital as the big lie. Unlike the smoke screen laid out by BP in their ostrich-like attempt at concealing the truth, BP eventually woke up to the reality that ‘true’ numbers never lie and do eventually surface (no pun intended). If you have truly researched your initial capital requirements, or, in the case of an established entity your ongoing operational needs relative to cash flow, and have determined
extracting oil & gas in Alberta would easily suggest that the business owner could triple or quadruple the expected capital needs. Regardless of the final number, it is prudent to remember that you’re not simply taking the car out for a test drive here; you’re purchasing it then living with it for a very long time, possibly for generations. In many cases, this is your first kiss, your first love, your first crack at independence; you’re hopes, dreams and life’s lessons all happily and joyously consummated into a living breathing extension of your existence. So don’t for one minute overlook the lifeblood and nourishment of this creation, that being adequate funding and proper financial management.
The oil and gas sector is notorious for consuming capital. In fact the capital requirements for extracting oil & gas in Alberta would easily suggest that the business owner could triple or quadruple the expected capital needs.
a potential or realized short fall in these areas, it is incumbent upon you to ensure any deficits are adequately and immediately addressed. To take the ostrich-like approach may doom you to a similar monetary fate as BP, albeit on a smaller scale, but no less devastating to your business. In the occurrence of a start-up, this requirement should be addressed with the same vigor and resolve one attributes to say… the birth of their child, it is that important. We’ve all heard this business analogy bantered about over the years, it goes something like this; when you are starting a business take whatever time and capital needs you have identified and double them. To some this may be considered an overstatement, however as most entrepreneurs would agree (half in jest, half with gut wrenching seriousness), it is not far from the truth. This is especially true in the universe we inhabit. The oil and gas sector is notorious for consuming capital. In fact the capital requirements for
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Given the economic engine in North America is driven largely by small SME`s (that is businesses with fewer than five employees) it is little wonder failure statistics within this group are epidemic. Fully 70% of businesses started today will not make it past two years and for those that do, the threat and reality of insufficient cash flow will continue to be an ongoing concern, one that will require constant and adequate attention. Hey! Go ahead and take the auto out for a spin all you want, however, bear in mind that just as you maintain and care for that asset to ensure longevity, so too must you ensure the same care and attention be focused on your businesses capital and financial needs. This can be achieved through regular and disciplined attention to your P&L statements and balance sheet reporting and analysis. PART 2 HOW TO SUSTAIN YOUR BUSINESS
Never let your small business, make you small minded Dale Galbraith President & CEO of Catch Resources Inc.
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FEATURE
CATCHING SUSTAINABILITY BY
Built on an entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on industry experience, Catch Resources Inc. knows that oil is their business through and through. In fact, the sole purpose of the Catch Resources team is simple: develop prosperous and financially solid oil emerging junior assets via the public market to grow free cash flow. FINDING GROWTH READY ASSETS Since August 2011, Catch Resources has focused on developing as a company that can be sustained through the acquisition of producing and distressed assets, giving these acquired companies the autonomy to continue to grow their business / assets. Focusing on a fairly un-serviced sphere in the oil industry - micro-junior companies - Dale Galbraith, President and CEO of Catch Resources, highlights that the board of Catch Resources is committed to taking these micro-juniors and guiding them through to growth mode. Galbraith is quick to admit that not every company suits the foundation that Catch Resources is built upon. “We recognize that we are going to enter into the micro-junior space, but we don’t want to sit there for very long...We’ve lined up additional assets to pur-
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LINDSAY HARLE
chase over the next year. We understand very clearly that we’re starting in at 150 BOE/day, but we’re going well past the 1000-2000 BOE as quickly as we can.” In fact, Galbraith says, “the sum of the whole, when all combined would be a better entity.” For Catch Resources, this comes down to finding the right assets with the right growth potential. Why? Catch Resources isn’t merely about the oil industry. Catch is about the business of the oil industry. As Galbraith puts it, “oil is a business.” It is this ideology of “oil as a business” that Catch Resources finds micro-junior companies that are sitting on their growth potential, then, through synergistic opportunities, takes them into a new space. AN ACTIVE INVESTMENT STYLE What’s unique to Catch is the opportunity that investors experience when investing in the company. It’s a company that taps into motivated individuals who want to actively be involved with their investment to the degree that they can be. For Galbraith, “it’s for individuals who want to get in [to investing] on the ground floor of an oil and gas company that has substance...It’s still risky and it’s still a difficult world to manoeuvre in, but if you eliminate some of those risks by building a better company and understand where you’re going, those things will lend themselves well to success.” With this, Catch Resources is for individuals who
are interested in having equity ownership in a start up. Right now, the smaller, motivated and knowledgeable investors with the same entrepreneurial spirit as the company’s board are really a great resource for a company like Catch Resources. MUTUAL FUND TRUST LAUNCH Catch is confident in the growth of their newly acquired asset, as well as who they are as a business within the oil industry, that, on October 16, 2014, they are hosting an event to highlight the launch of their Mutual Fund Trust. This event is their way of acknowledging and appreciating their current investors, as well as focusing on raising $10 - $20 million to go into the Trust that will fund the acquisitions of Catch Resources Inc. The focus of the event will be on who Catch Resources is as a company, the ideology they were built on, the assets they’re acquiring, how they’re acquiring assets, as well as what the yield investment would be through Catch Resources Inc. “This Mutual Fund Trust is a unique vehicle as it’s designed to give a little bit more benefit to the unit holder, the person who puts money into the fund,” says Galbraith.
“We want to build a remarkable company. And we believe that if you’re going to build a remarkable company, you have to do it from day one when it’s much easier to put a culture in place. Our culture and ideology permeates everything that we do as we go forward...We really want to be a company that people would love to be involved in.” To learn more about active investment opportunities, or synergistic mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures, contact: Dale Galbraith PRESIDENT & CEO CATCH RESOURCES INC. PH: 403-863-5773 DGALBRAITH@CATCHRESOURCES.COM
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CHARITABLE CAUSES
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RIDING FOR
CANCER
A PERSONAL STORY OF A FIGHTER
M
y name is Cindy, I’m 35, and I have a husband and two kids ages three and five. Oh, and I was diagnosed March 31 of this year with breast cancer. Yeah I know, heavy stuff. There’s no family history, so it came as a complete shock to say the least. Because it’s a lump in my right breast and also in two lymph nodes, I get to do the whole nine yards, which includes eight rounds of chemo, bilateral mastectomy surgery, and 16 rounds of radiation. I’m doing chemo first to shrink the tumor and make sure the cancer responds well to the chemo drugs. To add to my lovely cancer resume, the breast cancer is triple negative, one of the nastier and more aggressive forms of breast cancers out there. After my first round of chemo, my hair started to fall out as expected, so I shaved it right before my second round of chemo (I go once every 3 weeks). A week later, I ventured out to the mall on my first solo trip with my bald head. Maybe I shouldn’t go to the mall unattended. No, I didn’t go crazy on retail therapy. Actually, I did spend $130 on some skirts from GAP, of all places, but it was for four skirts, and I’ll
probably wear them all summer long. So that’s not really considered a “spending spree”. But, I did leave blubbering like a baby. No, not cause anyone stared, pointed, or threw stones, but because I was humbled. I walked in the mall, and the first thing I see is a bunch of stationary bikes with people going like crazy on them. I wondered if it was some kind of fitness challenge or maybe a new gym or spin class advertising. Then I caught the word “cancer”. Better yet, “Ride to END Cancer”. Immediately I felt a lump in my throat. At first it felt like my Guardian Angel’s way to calm the nervousness of my first solo trip to the mall as Cindo The Bald or Cindo The Sick. I watched for a few minutes from up above suddenly and completely comfortable in my own skin. Now if anyone looked at me, I kinda thought it might be more in solidarity than freakishness. I carried on and went shopping. I even managed to forget I was bald in my shopping glory. On my way out, I grabbed a Jugo Juice and snack wrap and decided to sit by the bikers. At least I wouldn’t look strange there. People might even assume I had a loved one participating.
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And that’s when it happened. As I was watching these complete strangers bike their hearts out to raise money for a disease I am battling, I thought “they are biking for me”. Not just me, I know, but I am one of the millions of people they are biking for. My eyes began to water. I felt this intense need to thank the bikers. So, I went over and made a donation. The lady taking the donation asked, “Are you participating?” I smiled and thought, “Sort of.” Instead, I said, “No, battling,” and pointed to my head. I continued to tell her how I was nervous for my bald solo debut, and my voice cracked when I got to the, “And then I saw you guys....” Tears fell, and I
Although I got myself under control as I went up the escalator, tears continued to fall all the way to the truck. Tears of gratitude for strangers who may never know how much of an impact they made on me today. thanked her. Then I started to go by each biker and thank them. I only made it through half before I was blubbering like an idiot and decided to leave before I traumatized anyone or had mall police cart me away!! Although I got myself under control as I went up the escalator, tears continued to fall all the way to the truck. Tears of gratitude for strangers who may never know how much of an impact they made on me today. Today will stay with me on the rough days. It will stay with me on the good days. But most importantly, it will stay with me through to my healthy days as a reminder of what strangers did for me. It will also serve as a reminder that my time will come to Pay It Forward. I am now done seven of my eight rounds of chemo. I have since met the wonderful people I talk about above. They are part of the One Aim cycling club in Calgary. They have been a huge source of inspiration
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to me throughout my journey so far. They train all year to participate in The Ride To Conquer Cancer, which is a 200km bike ride (for crazy people) that raises money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. And they are all indeed crazy in their own way. Their stories are amazing. There are cancer survivors, caregivers of people who had cancer, and others who just want to raise money to fund the research that will help end this terrible, terrible disease. Many of them had never done something like this before doing their first Ride. I have a blog and most of them follow it. When I talk about my low points (usually during chemo week), they send me words of encouragement and support. My family and I try to get out of town the weekend before every chemo to recharge and get ready for the next round. Many Saturdays, on my way out of town, I would see “my mall angels” training along the highway. I smiled every time I saw them. They are a constant bright spot in my journey and are a sight that always makes my heart light and makes me feel like I’m not alone. When I went to the 2014 Ride and saw them cross the start line, I cried. When I waited for them with my support sign on the second day and watched them cross the finish line, I cried. Hearing their stories in May inspired me to train through chemo and run my first 5k in The Run For The Cure in October (I have two teams running in my name). After being at the very emotional Ride opening ceremonies and sharing in their triumph (vicariously!) as they crossed that finish line, they have inspired me to join their team and do The Ride in 2015, once my treatment is done of course. I’m not that crazy! They have also inspired my husband to do The Ride. Neither one of us even own bikes!! They are one of the most important things that have happened to me on my journey. When I talk about them to people, which is often, I refer to them as “my team” or “my mall angels”. They truly are an inspiration, and I am so incredibly thankful for that day I decided to go to the mall alone. By Cindy Faas
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essica is proud to work in the energy industry as it remains to be an economic driver, providing Canadians with prosperity and stability. As a young professional, Jessica endorses the oil sands industry as it offers immense growth and career opportunities for women in the field of communications, stakeholder engagement, and community relations. It’s no secret that there is increased debate and polarized opinions on the oil sands development in Alberta. However, the world needs the energy and resources that we are developing on a daily basis. “It’s possible to meet the energy demand responsibly where both industry and local stakeholders can benefit. Working at Laricina Energy Ltd. has allowed me to take part in sharing this story. Part of my job is to create a clearer understanding of the issues and challenges faced at a local level in the community where we operate, and communicating the benefits that our industry has,” says Jessica. Jessica excels in her role as Community Engagement Specialist at Laricina Energy where her degree in Communications, background in Social Investment, and a passion for Communications are fused. On a daily basis, Jessica works transparently with her team to share information with stakeholders about Laricina’s updates and projects. Jessica also volunteers with the Business Professional Women’s Club of Calgary as well as the Young Women in Energy organization.
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CONTINUING EDUCATION
THE
TRAIN GAME
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Y
our staff, your human resources, is the most important asset of your business. Let’s face it. The work of field workers, or those working remotely, do not get the same opportunities as corporate and office employees to engage in professional development and team building activities. This is just a reality of logistics and past primary focuses. I have worked through my coaching and consulting practice, Steel Toe Stiletto, with many companies on their diversity and inclusion strategies by addressing how to better include women into their workforce and field operational processes. Many times, it is an assessment of organizational structure and the current primary focus of management. I interviewed Avnish Mehta, who is the principle of the website Stand and Command in Calgary, about corporate training and professional development advantages he finds through his private practice. Here’s what he said: It is too often I hear my clients tell me, “Why would I spend money on training employees, when I know they are not going to stay?” Absolutely, a fair question; although, I would challenge any business owner or manager and ask them, “What happens if you don’t train them, and they stay?” The cost of replacing an employee is calculated to be 150% of the person’s salary you are replacing. Think about all the hiring costs, the downtime, the payouts, the lawyer fees, and the stress! Time and time again, in exit interviews, we hear people didn’t receive enough training to be able to do their job well. The reality is the cost of training up your employees is a fraction of the cost of losing them. Training is all about changing old habits for new ones. We want to ensure our team members are equipped with the information, the processes, and the responsibility they need to accomplish their job and to do it well. The biggest mistake companies make is not properly understanding the training needs or wants of their staff members. Take some time and ask them these three simple questions: 1 What they would like to become better at?
By investing in your people, you will see positive growth and spend less on training new staff
Avnish Mehta PRINCIPLE – STAND AND COMMAND | STANDANDCOMMAND.COM
2 Where are the areas of the business they want to learn more about? 3 Do they have skills they want to improve that will improve the ROI (return on investment) of the company? Once you know what they want, compare it to what your business needs and develop a plan. Now, find the best people to help you implement that plan. It sounds simple, because it is. The reality is we have a new culture and face of the workforce upon us. Employing today’s youth, new university grads, apprentices, and journeyman, new Canadians, foreign workers, and traditionally minority employees (women, Aboriginals, and immigrants) will take a strategy. By investing in your people, you will see positive growth and spend less on training new staff by addressing retention of your valued human assets. If your company is in a position to make strategy, training, and design a priority and you need some guidance, contact us to see how we can work together to make your company’s people a priority.
Jill Drader CEO - STEEL TOE STILETTO FOUNDER – WOMEN IN WORK BOOTS JILL@WOMENINWORKBOOTS.CA
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LIQUOR LANE
THE BEST OF
EVENTS & EDUCATION T
he internet is an amazing tool. I can search (and find) pretty much anything I want in the span of a blink of an eye. Take, for example, searching “California Cabernet Sauvignon” on Google. I got 2,620,000 options in just 0.31 seconds. Wow! I can see there is a lot of information, but trying to sort through the sometimes convoluted data to find what we want can be tedious to say the least. Sure, there is Wikipedia, but I mean, come on! I would not like to rely on that information for dinner party bravado. That’s where we, the trusted experts at Willow Park, come in. We have the experience, accreditation, and knowledge in the beverage industry to give you an informed illustration on products, which most of the time are very personable in their nature. But, the beauty of this is we, by trade, are not greedy in regardto this information. We feel a hands on, knowledgeable approach not only betters your understanding of the industry but also empowers you with these tools to expand your range of choice and, with that, value. The first step should be exploration, and what better way to do that then one of our festival style events! These run from Sept. 19, starting with the “OLE! Spanish Wine Festival”, all the way up to Dec. 12 by ending with the “Champagne Festival”. These festivals, which are hosted in our ballroom, involve tasting an array of wine and food (made in our very own kitchen!) that are in the spirit of the theme and are sure to make the atmosphere authentic for all. Notable festivals include the “Pinot Festival” on Oct. 9, the “Italian Wine Festival” on Oct. 16, and the “Dark Beers, Spooky Spirits, and Bloody Wines Festival” on
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Oct. 30. These are one of the best events we offer as it is an opportunity to find what your palate craves, and at $30 -$99 per ticket, it is an affordable option. Now that you have your bearings set, look to choose one of our sit down technical tastings we have slated throughout the Fall. These, along with our food and wine pairing classes, offer a more indepth approach to the food and wine world. Led by our Willow Park Trusted Experts and invited wine makers, these events range from Beer events, such as “Dave’s Favorite Fall Brew’s” on Oct. 21 for $25, to wine events, such as “Couples Retreat: Comfort Food & Pairings” on Dec. 3 for $45, and also spirit events, such as “Whisky and Cheese Pairings” on Oct. 29 for $35. These give you a chance for a more intimate encounter with an expert in a certain field in order to learn more in depth details on the theme of that night. The third and final option we offer for educational purposes is our WSET and Wine Appreciation courses. These are more knowledge driven, classroom style events which combine studying and tastings into one. The WSET courses are an accredited diploma recognized all over the world as the premier standard and is the first step towards becoming a master sommelier. While the WSET’s have an exam at the end of each of them, the Wine Appreciation courses do not and are viewed as less intense and have a lighter atmosphere. Each of these involve going over specific countries, their regions, their styles, their geography, and their tasting profiles. These will be offered in the Winter with times and prices to be announced. Our educational and event season reaches its pinnacle with our auction week from Nov. 6 to Nov.
9. This week exhibits the finest in what we have to offer in the world of wine, beer, and whiskey. Each event includes over 100 different products with some of Calgary’s finest restaurants modeling some of their most tantalizing creations. The week kicks off with our “Whiskey in the Warehouse” event on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. for $100, followed by our “Beer Bash” on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. for $40. On Nov. 7 is our “California Dreamin’” wine event at 7 p.m. for $60 and, finally, our 21st Live Auction night on Nov. 8. The live auction is an Arabian Night’s themed event, in which we close down the entire store for one of the biggest parties Calgary has ever seen. All of the proceeds are going to The Vintage Fund, which supports over 10 different charities. You can find more information on all our events at www.willowpark.net or drop by one of our three locations at either Eau Claire Market, our Bow Trail location, or our main store located in Willow Park.
By Devin McKay WINE ROOM EXPERT AT WILLOW PARK WINES & SPIRITS
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CONNECTING WITH
PURPOSE
The magic to get exactly what you want in life is strategically tied to one word: CONNECT. When you understand the power behind the word, your world will change forever. Calgary Women in Energy (CWIE) was designed to do just that: harness the power of connecting women in energy. CWIE is the “go to” place where women working in the energy sector can meet like-minded industry leaders and share their trials and tribulations, while learning industry best practices. Not only can they learn a thing or two about oil and gas, Calgary Women in Energy also work to help women connect meaningfully and with purpose.
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Living in a fast paced, technology driven, business world, we sometimes lose the value of in-person connections and personal interaction. We may meet people today via social media, but without having a conversation, we can miss out on who people really are and how we can help them win. This is where CWIE has become the missing link for women building a career in the oil and gas sector. THE CWIE EXPERIENCE It often seems many organizations are missing something, and that something is the presence of forward-thinking, qualified women to diversify their team and bring confidence, knowledge, and skill to the table. That’s why a group of proactive female business leaders from an array of different energy professions came together in January 2003 to
create Calgary Women in Energy. CWIE members have dedicated their time to promoting, supporting, and empowering women in the energy sector of Calgary, Alberta. If you ever get the chance to drop in to a CWIE Networking “Mix and Mingler”, you will find CWIE members are multidimensional women who are changing the face of industry one day at a time. They are stakeholders playing leadership roles in the energy sector and the communities they live in. They are front-runners who are changing the pulse of industry, sharing leads and opportunities, and offering advice to help new leaders connect strategically for success. Today, given the under-representation of women in leadership roles, CWIE is a place to learn from women who are rising stars. These women leaders are willing to share what they know to help others win. CWIE leverages this skill set to help women build meaningful relationships. Today, women need to find ways to up their game to get noticed. Taking an active role in an industry specific organization like CWIE is a dynamic way to add value
“I remember a year ago, when I joined CWIE, I attended a volunteer event in my first week as a member and had fun giving back while meeting leaders and decision makers. I then signed up to help with the annual golf tournament raising money for Discovery House. The time commitment I shared was small, but the return on investment for me personally was great. I was able to meet women in the energy sector on a personal level. I gave back to my community and was able to work side-by-side with dynamic role models who care about people as much as I do.”
Denise Baril CALGARY WOMEN IN ENERGY MEMBER
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to the companies you serve and up your game to be noticed when opportunities for advancement surface. THE CWIE CONVERSATION As a new member, it is easy to fit in and get to know women one-on-one. The connecting aspect of CWIE works, because it is all about meeting real people and having real conversations both in person and online in the CWIE open LinkedIn group. CWIE creates opportunities for this to happen, which is part of the magic. Business in Calgary is all about relationships, so it all boils down to “meaningful connections”. CWIE membership benefits include regular technical meetings and professional development resources to help hone skills and sharpen knowledge. These benefits are often combined with the opportunity to be inspired by guest speakers. These resources provide the group the opportunity of understanding how individual businesses fit in the big picture from downstream to upstream oil and gas operations. Today, if you want to get to know the industry, learn
about the technical side of oil and gas, or simply want to know how other women are making an impact in the energy sector, CWIE is the place for you. Reach out, make meaningful connections, stay informed, and have fun making a difference. Having a network like the Calgary Women in Energy to reach out to lends a sense of belonging. A forum to showcase other career minded, happy, healthy women with the ability to make it work. Those who realize work and home life won’t be exactly equal in terms of time or effort. Calgary Women in Energy is a non-profit, member ship society dedicated to promoting, supporting, and empowering women in the energy sector of Calgary, Alberta. For more information or to become a member, please visit www.cwie.org for details.
Kristy Hysert CALGARY WOMEN IN ENERGY PRESIDENT
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WINE & DINE
Triumph This
Thanksgivin
Family, friends, fond memories, and fantastic food are what we think of when imagining our perfect Thanksgiving meals. But, between organizing dÊcor, appetizers, entrees, drinks, sides, and managing the guest list, it can be a stressful holiday. Not to worry! We’ve compiled our best Thanksgiving tips to help you pull off a meal that mesmerizes.
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THE HUMBLE PIE DEEP DISH INGREDIENCE 1 10 inch unbaked pie crust (unformed) 2 cups pumpkin puree 5¼ tbsp all purpose flour 1½ cups packed brown sugar 3 eggs ¾ cup whipping cream ¾ cup homogenized milk 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground nutmeg ½ tsp ground mace ½ tsp ground cloves ¼ tsp salt DIRECTIONS In a large bowl lightly whisk the eggs and brown sugar. Add the pumpkin puree, milk and cream and mix until well blended. Add the remaining dry ingredients and stir to combine. Do not over mix. Preheat the oven to 350°F Butter or spray a 7X4 inch round baking pan or ring mould. Lay the 10 inch pie crust in it and press gently on the bottom and halfway up the mould. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crust and place on a large baking pan to catch any spills. Bake the pie for 45-55 minutes or until the filling is set and the crust has browned (the center will still look wet). Place the baked pie on a wire rack to cool. Unmould and serve with fresh ginger whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
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WINE & DINE HORS D‘OEUVRES Preparing hors d’oeuvres is part art and part math. You want to give your guests a taste of the beautiful food to come, but you don’t want to fill them up. When choosing your appetizers, select lighter items that will compliment the atmosphere you are setting. If your Thanksgiving meal will be more casual, mini quiches and flatbreads are appropriate. If you’re hosting something more formal, you might consider canapés and mini crab cakes. Prepare only three to four hors d’oeuvres per guest, so they will still be hungry for the main event!
BEVERAGES There is no better way to welcome your guests into your home than with a drink! If you are a whiz behind the bar, you can find dozens of festive drink recipes online from cranberry mojitos to pumpkin pie martinis. If bartending isn’t your thing, stick to classic options that will pair nicely with the menu, such as pinot noir and sauvignon blanc wines, vodka and cranberry juice hiballs, and Belgian ales. Non-alcoholic drinks can be spruced up by freezing cranberries in ice cubes or serving sparkling waters and juices in a wine or Collins glass.
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STUFFING RAISIN & WALNUT
THE MAIN EVENT Thanksgiving revolves around food, so the pressure to prepare a fantastic feast can be nerve-racking. Combat stress by preparing salads, side dishes, and desserts in advance whenever possible. Cleaning and organizing your fridge before the holidays will give you more room to store and access all your enticing offerings. Pre-setting your table can also help you save time on the day of your meal. When it comes to the bird, many grocery and catering companies will cook your turkey for you, which will free up oven and counter space (and takes a load off you)! Keep in mind turkey leftovers are a Thanksgiving staple, so plan for generous portion sizes! Consider spicing up your standard Thanksgiving meal items to give your guests something unexpected this year. Raisin and walnut stuffing or deep dish pumpkin pies are great options that add a delicious twist to Thanksgiving meal classics. HOW MUCH FOOD SHOULD YOU PREPARE? HERE ARE OUR BASIC GUIDELINES: Turkey: 0.68kg/person Ham: 0.23kg/person Salads/vegetables: 100g/person
INGREDIENCE 3 cups bread cubes 4 tbsp butter 1 large yellow onion, diced 2 large carrots, diced 3 celery sticks, diced ½ tsp dry thyme ¼ tsp ground sage ¼ cup raisins ¼ cup walnuts 1 cup turkey or chicken stock DIRECTIONS Saute the onions, celery and carrots until soft. Stir in dry spices and saute for two more minutes. Add raisins, walnuts and bread. Turn off heat and gently stir in enough stock until coated but not soggy. Transfer to a greased, deep-oven tray. Bake 30 minutes and serve. FOR A FRESH TWIST • Serve alongside turkey, pork loin or chicken • Substitute raisins with cranberries or blueberries • Substitute walnuts with almonds or pecans
Potatoes/rice: 150g/person Dinner rolls: 1.5 roll/person Dessert: 1 piece/person Hosting a Thanksgiving meal can be taxing for even the most experienced chefs, but preparation and planning will help you put together a meal to remember. Thanksgiving should be a joyful time spent with friends and family, and a little time spent on preparation is a small cost for a delicious dinner. As Oscar Wilde said, “After a good dinner, one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations.” By Kendra Keating SUNTERRA CATERING MANAGER
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OPINION
SPOILING I N T H E 21 S T C E N T U RY
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rowing up in a modest middle class home and having to work for allowance, I thought every other kid was in the same boat. Call me crazy. Reality hit when I was about 12 years old. For me, going to the movies was a luxury I had earned. I soon learned movies, for some of my friends, were handed to them, not to mention the plethora of candy, popcorn, and drinks they so flippantly bought to my amazement. I thought they had it made until recently. “Having it made” doesn’t even begin to explain what some teenagers and early twenty year olds from my generation are being served on silver platters. We’re talking cars, trucks, money to buy their girlfriend/boyfriend Christmas and birthday presents, jewelry, and the daily Phil and Sebastian coffee. I mean, come on! The problem here is not my instant overwhelming feeling of jealousy. That later subsided. It’s the fact these teenagers and early twenty year olds have been brought up with a 100K life style they will be unable to maintain once the cord is cut. I get it. I am not a parent, but any parent I talk to gives me the line, “I want to give my kids what I never had.” Although that may bring a tear to my eye, there is a fine line every parent must draw. So for all the Mount Royalites this plea goes out to you, don’t burden your kids. Once they finally do start working for their own money, you don’t want them to scoff at their pay grade coming out of the gates. Over indulgence isn’t good for the waistline and it isn’t good after the 2nd or 3rd new car. I speak first hand having seen this go down, and it’s not pretty.
By Jessica Bartsch #TAKEITORLEAVEIT
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MEDICAL
BALLOON SINUS DILATION NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR SINUSITIS
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W
hile living and working in Calgary offers tremendous professional opportunity, our arid climate can precipitate issues with an individual’s nose and sinuses that can have a significantly negative impact on one’s quality of life and daily performance. Our dry climate can lead to symptoms of nasal congestion, thick nasal drainage, and recurrent sinus infections. And, the chinook winds can make your head feel like a barometer! Unfortunately, there is no cure for these problems, but there are effective treatments that can help until you can fly off to somewhere humid. Just like brushing your teeth keeps your mouth clean and healthy, saline rinses (netipot, sinus rinses) are important for good nasal hygiene. Saline rinses work to reduce thick nasal secretions and help move mucous out of our nose. People normally make 1-2 litres of mucous per day, most of which is swallowed, and helps to warm, moisten, and clean the air we breathe in. Mucous is to our bodies like oil is to our cars. If you didn’t have it, you would squeak when you walked! Nasal steroids, when used properly, can be helpful to reduce inflammation in our nasal cavities. This can help to treat allergies and reduce symptoms from uncomplicated sinus infections. A new effective therapy for chronic sinus problems is balloon sinus dilation (BSD). Just like angioplasty for heart disease, BSD involves using a small balloon to enlarge the sinus opening to improve drainage and ventilation from the sinuses. This procedure can be done in an office setting under local anesthetic, and because tissue is rarely removed, patients can return to normal activity within a day or so. The results are improved nasal breathing, less nasal congestion, and reduced facial fullness and nasal discharge. Like new technologies in oil and gas exploration and production are important for improving the industry, BSD has recently been shown to be as effective as traditional sinus surgery with effective outcomes and shorter recovery time from surgery. This can all be achieved without general anesthetic. For more information on BSD, please visit www.drmechor.com.
BOOK REVIEW - JUST THE FRACKS, MA’AM
H
ydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking,” has unfairly received a bad label in the media, says engineer and environmentalist Greg Kozera, author of the new book, “Just the Fracks, Ma’am,” who’s on a nationwide tour to discuss the benefits of fracking and clarify the misconceptions. “Greater independence from foreign oil, job creation, a cleaner environment and a much-needed shot of economic growth is just the beginning of what hydraulic fracturing has meant to us in recent years, yet many think of fracking as the new dirty word, associated only with corporate greed. The reality is that fracking is essential to our existence,” says Kozera, a domestic energy expert. “I want to replace the unfounded fears people have about fracking with facts. This is simply too important an issue for so many people to make
decisions based on misinformation.” Kozera began his tour in Virginia and has been to California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Kentucky and South Carolina, and Virginia. Fracking is nothing new; in 1947, the oil and gas industry discovered the method as a way of improving production in the country’s oil wells, Kozera says. Reviewers find his new book enlightening and easy to read. “Well-written and in terms the average person can understand, Mr. Kozera has presented technical information on the fracking process in a manner that is entertaining and personal,” writes Amazon reviewer Kerri Barger. “This is a short read and definitely a book you will want to pass on to others. The points of inspiration were heartfelt and I gained motivation from this book as well as information on the subject at hand.” By Ginny Grimsley | GINNY@NEWSANDEXPERTS.COM WWW.JUSTTHEFRACKSBOOK.COM
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ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
V
VIT D
SUPPLEMENTS IS IT A HEALTH REQUIREMENT OR A MARKETING PLOY
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itamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is a fat-soluble vitamin. Egg yolks, butter, whole milk, fatty fish, and mushrooms are amongst the very few foods that contain Vitamin D. Depending on your diet, synthesis by the skin can be a major source of this vitamin. Some foods, such as breakfast cereals, are fortified with Vitamin D. Vitamin D from the diet or skin is inactive and requires conversion to active metabolites. Do we need supplements if Vitamin D is found in foods and synthesized in the skin? There are two forms of Vitamin D: ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is made by plants, whereas Vitamin D3 is made by human skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight. Foods may be fortified with Vitamin D2 or D3. The human body enzymatically converts Vitamin D in the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (a metabolite), the major circulating form of Vitamin D, and then the kidney converts it to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (another metabolite), the active form of Vitamin D. Vitamin D and its metabolites have a significant clinical role because of their interrelationship with calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. The major known biologic function of Vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of Calcium and phosphorus and to help in the absorption of Calcium. It is used, alone or in combination with Calcium, to increase bone mineral density and decrease fractures. People who may be at a high risk for Vitamin D deficiencies include the elderly, exclusively breastfed infants, those who have limited sun exposure, pregnant or breastfeeding women, the critically ill, those with fat malabsorption syndromes (e.g., cystic fibrosis), inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease), or serious illnesses (e.g., cancer, diabetes). Body mass index, seasons (winter and spring), sedentary behavior, smoking, genetics, diet (vegetarians, low marine diet), black race, and ethnicity have been associated with low circulating Vitamin D metabolite levels. Today, severe Vitamin D deficiency is uncommon except in populations with unusually low sun exposure, lack of Vitamin D in fortified foods, and mal-absorption syndromes. Studies performed by some researchers suggest
there may be a subclinical Vitamin D deficiency, and this status is very common in the population. In the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2005 to 2006, 41.6% of adult participants had low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (the circulating metabolite). Both the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the American Geriatric Society recommend levels above this range. The higher level is considered important for older adults to minimize the risk of falls and fracture. This subclinical degree of Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the development of osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures and falls in the elderly. Other studies suggest Vitamin D may have a protective effect against osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases. Be careful, because too much may not be good! Although the IOM concluded there are insufficient data to determine the safe upper limit, there was some concern at higher serum levels. These concerns were based upon the increase in fracture in patients treated with high dose Vitamin D. Experts agree Vitamin D, with or without Calcium, plays a critical role in bone health, and it may also play a role in immune function. The IOM found there is strong evidence to support the use of Vitamin D with Calcium for bone health, but that evidence was lacking for other health conditions. The new recommended daily allowance (RDA) for prevention of Vitamin D deficiency, set in 2010, is based on age: 1-70 years of age equals 600 IU daily; 71 years and older equals 800 IU daily; pregnant and breastfeeding women equals 600 IU daily; for infants 0-6 months old the upper level intake is 1,000 IU daily; infants 6-12 months old equals 1,500 IU daily. The intake can be provided in the diet or as a Vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D intake is often low in older adults, who also do not have regular sun exposure. Older persons confined indoors and other high risk groups may have low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels at this intake level and may require higher intakes. Vitamin D supplementation should be given to infants who are exclusively breast fed, because the Vitamin D content of human milk is low. The Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society recommends supplementation with 400 IU daily of Vitamin D beginning within days
of birth for infants who are exclusively breast fed. Most infant formulas contain at least 400 IU per liter of Vitamin D, so formula-fed infants may also require supplementation to meet this daily intake target (unless they consume at least 1 liter daily of formula). Vitamin D intake of at least 400 IU daily is also recommended for children who do not consume at least one liter of Vitamin D-fortified milk daily. The North American Menopause Society and National Osteoporosis Foundation recommend an intake of 1,200mg daily of Calcium and 800-1,000 IU daily of Vitamin D3 for adults 50 years of age and older. Many studies have evaluated the effects of Vitamin D supplementation on cancer. The reduced risk for colorectal cancer with supplementation has been well demonstrated, but the data does not show a consistent relationship. There is a lack of consistent evidence to support claims that Vitamin D reduces the risk of ovarian or pancreatic cancer occurrence or mortality. Studies are needed to address the effect of Vitamin D on cancer. Does it prevent cancer, and/ or does it improve survival? Vitamin D plus Calcium supplementation does not appear to affect risk for breast cancer. According to the Women’s Health Initiative trial, there was no difference between the two groups (36,000 postmenopausal women randomly assigned to take 1,000 mg elemental Calcium with 400 IU Vitamin D daily, or placebo, for a period of seven years) in the incidence of invasive breast cancer. Bottom line, the intake of Vitamin D supplementation can be important for your health. It is important to discuss supplementation with your health care provider since intake is influenced by the foods eaten, exposure to sunlight, and absorption of the nutrient by the gastrointestinal tract. Your health care provider can measure serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to ensure the intake is adequate. Over consumption is never good, so follow the recommended daily intakes.
By Guy Chamberland, M.SC., PH.D., MASTER HERBALIST, HEALTH PRODUCTÂ CONSULTANT CONTACT HIM AT GUYCHAMBERLANDMASTERHERBALIST@LIVE.CA.
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APP REVIEW
PETROFEED THE APP THAT GIVES YOU THE STATUS OF RIGS IN WESTERN CANADA, AND IT’S FREE
T
his Calgary company has a hit on its hands with the new Petrofeed application, and although the company’s founder/CEO Ashley Dunfield won’t say how many downloads the app has had, he does say they’ve had deep penetration in the oil and gas industry. Information presented in the application has only been available through desktop applications in the past, and was quite costly to get access, but the company prides itself on making this information “free and mobile”. Petrofeed is looking to max out its penetration in the market with its free version, while also offering a PRO version at $99 a month or $948 a year.
“PetroFeed is changing the way people in the field talk to each other and coordinate what’s happening on the rig. The app will provide confidential, private social networks for people working on-site - connecting people and equipment in real time.” Ashley Dunfield, PetroFeed CEO & Founder SOME OF THE KEY ATTRIBUTES TO THE APP: • Find rigs in your area, see what they are currently working on, where they are and detailed information about them. • Find rigs based on what they are doing and where they are located. • See statistics, current job information and the current location for every rig in the province of Alberta. For more info about Petrofeed visit petrofeed.com
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