Oilfield PULSE December 2013 Issue

$5.99 December 2013

work hard fish harder

queen charlotte lodge

corporate

adventures fishing is good for business

Queen Charlotte Lodge Haida Gwaii Going right to the edge!

Read More on Page 14

Perched on the very edge of the continental shelf off the northwest coast of British Columbia are the “misty isles” of Haida Gwaii. Famous as the ancestral homeland of the Haida people, the remote archipelago offers a wonderful range of wilderness experiences.

H a i d a G wa i i

Besides the chrome-bright silver salmon that overrun the islands through the summer months, experience full service concierge, personal chefs, conference facilities, full service spa and 5 star dining. The lodge is a welcome escape from the clamour of daily life.

A DV EN T U R E S PEC I A L I ST STA N D I N G BY

Come enjoy the “Haida Magic.”

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contents features

Departments

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12 28

Corporate Adventures

BC Company Responds to Alberta Demand with Direct Flights from Alberta to Lodge

22

Communication & Safety An Analysis of Canadian Drilling and Well Servicing Rig Managers

34

Slednecks Ultimate snowmobiling in backcountry whistler

38

Expropriation Compensation Geophysical Service Inc. takes on the Government

oilfield hub

members at large

31

Lamb’s Trucking Ltd.

Drayton Valley company with a focus on safe hauling procedures

CEO Message Keep Calm and Hub On

Corruption in the Industry Bailouts, price dilution, and damaged trust.

Where do I begin?

34 46 54 56 58

Fore!

Tee Up Your Next Buddies Golf Trip

A Wine Christmas Uncork the secret to buying wine this Holiday Season

Plains Perspectives Qualites of a Leader

Demystifying Gluten Is it making you sick? Not necessarily...

Zenert’s Marketing Minute Email Marketing 101

THE BEAT

46

Calgary Women In Energy

Involved in the community and supporting some amazing Calgary charities

© 2013 by Leadstone Group Inc. 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.

Sponsored By www.OilfieldHUB.com Published By

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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| OilfieldPULSE | December 2013

www.LeadstoneGroup.com

m

on the cover

corporate

adventures

oilfield PULSE

advertising index

see article on page 8

2 Queen Charlotte Lodge 3 Longhorn Casing Tools 4 Village Brewery 5 Sunshine Coast Tourism 6 Arizona Vacation Rentals 11 BraTopia 25 Plains Fabrication 25 Data Shapers Inc. 32 SoBow 35 Global Outsourcing 4 You 35 Brad Mechor MD FRCSC 45 The Interface Financial Group 60 Hunting Energy Services (Canada Ltd.)

CEO Kevin.Turko@LeadstoneGroup.com

Kevin Turko

Creative director Kyle.Fujita@LeadstoneGroup.com

Kyle K. Fujita

Managing editor Andrea Turko Andrea.Turko@LeadstoneGroup.com

Vice president sales Dave O’Connor Dave.OConnor@LeadstoneGroup.com

Contributing EDITOR Amanda Lee Amanda.Lee@LeadstoneGroup.com

National Account Manager Cindy Wagner Cindy.Wagner@LeadstoneGroup.com

Contributing EDITOR Barb.Lee@LeadstoneGroup.com

Barb Lee

Member relations Karen.Keith@LeadstoneGroup.com

Karen Keith

Finance & Admin Jeannie Yip Finance_Admin@LeadstoneGroup.com 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

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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In each issue, you’ll find the same colourful content you’ve come to expect with Oilfield PULSE. We take that one step further in the eBook version and put the content into overdrive with exclusive links, videos and features.

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| OilfieldPULSE | December 2013

I often wonder what it would be like to spend a day in the shoes of an Operations guy in the oil and gas industry in downtown Calgary.

F

orgive me, but I say ‘guy’, not to be sexist, nor to make a point. But in our Oilfield HUB travels in the past year or two, undeniably, this is still a predominately male role in the patch. Perhaps a relevant story for a future issue of the PULSE, but not today!

Regardless, if you’re female or male, the people, tasks and responsibilities the Operations guy faces each day come at him fast and furious, even more so during this time of the year.

Let’s focus on the people side of his business.

Ah, relationships! The almighty holy grail of the oil and gas industry. We all need them, we all have to nurture the relationships we have, and of course, we all want more of them, particularly if they are going to help get the job done! These relationships are just as vital to service and supply companies if you are trying to get the attention of, and sell your wares to that Operations guy in downtown Calgary, and to his guys in the field as well.

What does that mean for our Operations guy?

He’s getting hit, on many different people fronts each and every day, from his folks in the field, to people down the hall. Not just coworkers, but from a host of independent contractors as well.

Now let’s throw in his preferred vendors, and all of their people, that he is relying on to deliver the services, supplies and rentals to successfully complete his projects on time and under budget.

How about tossing in an EPC or two, and their staff into the mix, as he may also be relying on one of these companies to handle certain aspects of their operations from construction to drilling, from completions to production, and so on.

If that isn’t enough, the people side of his day doesn’t stop there. What about all of those new vendors that are constantly knocking on his door, and filling his Inbox with information hoping to get

a piece of his buying action. And not to be left out, his existing suppliers are also eager to meet at every opportunity to tell him about everything they can do for him, not satisfied with just what he might have bought from them last time.

All of this is happening while he is also surrounded by spreadsheets upon spreadsheets, oilfield reporting, orders, emails and other ‘stuff’ scattered across his desk. Now if that isn’t bad enough, let’s throw in that landline that’s constantly ringing to capture his attention along with the cell phone vibrating and blinking that’s holstered to his hip.

If you’re that Operations guy, I’m wondering if you can relate to any of these situations. And for the rest of us, we wonder why it’s tough to get his attention, and perhaps why some of our emails and messages don’t get returned!

At Oilfield HUB we connect buyers with sellers.

These Operations guys are also our prospects and our clients as well. And yes, he’s your prospect and client in the HUB too. We’re helping our Operations guys, and those he depends upon, wrestle with these challenges to better manage, communicate and collaborate with all of the people they need to connect to and with the vendors they purchase from, in order to get the job done! If you’re one of these Operations guys we would like to strike up a conversation with you this coming year. You will be hearing from us soon!

And of course, if you are of the female persuasion running in this male Operations turf, we definitely want to hear from you as well. Our paths will cross, it’s just a matter of time before our companies will connect in Oilfield HUB. Until then, in this hectic oil and gas Operations world we work in, keep calm and HUB on!

Kevin Turko, CEO Leadstone Group

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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corporate

adventure

BC Company Responds to Alberta Demand with Direct Flights from Alberta to Lodge

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| OilfieldPULSE | December 2013

es

Time is money. This oft used cliché was the driving force behind Queen Charlotte Lodge’s strategic initiative to offer Direct Air service from Calgary to the Queen Charlotte Islands. Guests want to spend time fishing and entertaining in this remote part of the West Coast of British Columbia. However, with many fishermen requiring a day pre-trip and another post-trip, the total time requirement for corporate organizers and their valued guests is often just a little too much. As one client stated, “it’s not the money it is the time”. We can’t take the days off – we need to be at home managing our businesses.”

H a i d a G wa i i

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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O

ne company listened – Queen Charlotte Lodge selected prime dates during their May-September season and created the Direct Flight option. Imagine showing up at the Airport in Calgary and boarding a Boeing 737 jet at 7:30 AM and finding yourself on the water fishing by 10:30 AM the same morning. Clearly, the Direct Flight Service resonates with Albertan corporations and their guests as a number of the select dates are sold out and others are filling quickly. As Brian Clive, Vice President of Sales and Corporate Relations stated, “the opportunity to recognize and meet a demand is rewarding. We believe that the Direct Flight Service, incorporating the Boeing 737 to the Queen Charlotte Islands and then the short hop to the Lodge utilizing the executive style Sikorsky S76 helicopter, is unique and could not be any smoother or quicker.”

Leaders in today’s hectic business environment know there is a need to escape the daily grind and make the time to decompress. That’s why a few days spent at Queen Charlotte Lodge is the perfect solution. Often groups that visit QCL put the trips together to strengthen relationships with clients and staff. The quality time shared on a QCL escape will cement those very special relationships. Memories and bonds are created that will last a lifetime. Companies that understand this concept are always viewed as the leaders in their field. Even when the decision to attend the Lodge on a getaway is evaluated on a business basis, the result is a positive Return on Investment. Clients order more and more often; the results are real.

Business Facilities QCL has the facilities to really let you get down to business. The Totem House Conference Center is well equipped with a boardroom and adjacent multipurpose facility to accommodate workshops and meetings, complete with satellite and Wi-Fi communication. The flexible hospitality program allows for easy scheduling of work and play.

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The Lodge’s 24 guest rooms all offer a splendid water view of Naden Harbour Charlotte House

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Accommodation In the case of Queen Charlotte Lodge, pictures do not do justice to the facility or area. Land based remote lodges are rare and this Lodge and its accommodations are truly spectacular. For more than 20 years ownership has been enhancing and refining the park-like setting that is Queen Charlotte Lodge. A true Northern jewel that is guaranteed to “wow� hosts and guests alike.

With 5 different accommodation venues to choose from, guests and the Adventure Specialists at QCL can work together to create the perfect situation for any group.

The Main Lodge is the natural choice for many of the guests and can be used for groups from two to forty-eight. It features twenty-four spacious ensuite rooms, each with an unobstructed view of the beach and docks and direct and easy access to the Kingfisher Lounge and dining room.

The Charlotte House is the ideal retreat for groups of up to twelve who would like to have some space to themselves for social and business functions. A private hot tub, lounge, barbeque area and massive ocean view deck create the perfect setting.

The Haida House is a warm cedar clad chalet located right on the waterfront just down the beach from the Main Lodge and is ideal for six to eight fishermen. With a private hot tub and lounge, this venue proves to be popular every year.

The Totem House is the spectacular log chalet right on the waterfront offering the utmost in comforts, luxury and amenities. Definitely the flag ship on the property. Eight guests are pampered with their own private server and chef. The private hot tub on the spacious upper deck is the perfect place for a scotch

Haida House

Totem House

MV Driftwood

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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and cigar and find the time to recount the time on the water. It does not get any better.

The final venue offering is the one that die hard fishermen should take note of. The MV Driftwood is a one hundred and ten foot renovated and restored classic coastal tug. The vessel stays right out on the fishing grounds for your entire stay. No need to “pull lines” and head on home each night. Right on the water you are already home. With accommodation for up to twelve guests the experience on the MV Driftwood is definitely unique and as exclusive as you can get.

Fishing At the end of the day the “hook” is the fishing.

Large Chinook salmon is the true trophy target for the sportsman. Coupled with the wild, acrobatic Coho salmon and the legendary strength of the halibut, QCL boasts fishing grounds that are “world class”.

When one combines the opportunity for amazing season-long fishing with quality custom fishing vessels and equipment, it becomes clear that the Queen Charlotte Lodge has anticipated every need.

More Direct Flight Options For 2014 QCL has introduced more Direct Flights from Calgary to Masset in the Queen Charlotte Islands. With flights in June, July, August and September, one can find a time that works and save the hassle and significant cost of traditional trips originating and ending in Vancouver. Corporate hosts and their guests will appreciate the exclusive nature of these trips. The entire schedule is listed below:

Fri May 30 - Mon Jun 2: Grand Prairie/Fort St. John Fri June 6 - Mon June 9: Calgary SOLD OUT Mon June 9 - Fri June 13: Calgary Fri July 18 - Mon Jul 21: Calgary SOLD OUT Fri Aug. 22- Mon Aug. 25: Calgary Fri Aug. 29- Mon Sept. 1: Edmonton / Calgary Should any of these, or any other dates be of interest, contact Queen Charlotte Lodge and let their Adventure Specialists design a trip and package for your corporate retreat. It is just that easy! www.queencharlottelodge.com

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“Imagine leaving Calgary at 7:30 and being on the water by 10:30” Brian Clive, Director of Sales at Queen Charlotte Lodge

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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&

Communication

Safety Do Communication Styles Impact Safety Outcomes? An Analysis of Canadian Drilling and Well Servicing Rig Managers

By John Bayko Communications Manager at Savanna Energy Services Corp.

P

roducing fossil fuels today is a hazardous undertaking in an arena of public scrutiny. The nature of the work, and public concerns about the environment, have made the profession of oil and gas largely unpopular causing many customers and employees turning away from the industry. Although

not as visible as explorers and producers (E&Ps), drilling and well service companies must manage the same challenges these larger global companies face in order to survive. The challenge is difficult, because in addressing issues such as public perception and a preference for clean energy, capacity is needed; however, capacity is limited by

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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public perception and a preference for clean energy.

Fortunately, the emerging field of health, safety, and environment (HSE) provides a meaningful opportunity to address this paradox. HSE today has developed far beyond simple safety protocols and is a vehicle through which companies can develop themselves to proactively mitigate external risk. Advanced HSE cultures can build social capital, assist in recruiting and maintaining employees, and attract customers. For service companies, achieving such a culture begins on the rig floor with the difficult task of stopping injuries. As the leader on a rig, the rig’s manager has a critical role of turning company HSE policies and procedures into safe and healthy environments for employees. Therefore, how a rig manager communicates HSE information becomes an interesting proposition.

The literature and findings here suggest a leader’s traits or communication style overall become less of a factor with increased structure.

Methodology To address the central research question, a quantitative assessment of communication style was developed and deployed. The data collected was then cross-tabulated with safety records and analyzed. In all, 87 rig managers of on-shore drilling and well servicing rigs were identified using the following criteria: (a) having at least five years’ experience as a rig manager, (b) working in Canada, and (c) being employed by the same company. This approach was based on the following premises: (1) the assumption that more experienced rig managers have had more time to develop in their roles including how they communicate with their subordinates, (2) rigs from Canada have the same industry safety reporting and recording methods,

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| OilfieldPULSE | December 2013

regional industry safety protocols, and general rig culture and, (3) rigs from one company will have similar equipment types, training methods, and will better facilitate the distribution of question­ naires (the primary researcher is also employed by the company).

Each rig manager was invited to fill out a questionnaire online via an email invitation. The email included a link to the questionnaire, created in FluidSurveys, and a cover letter (Appendix A) describing the purpose of the study. FluidSurveys was selected as a reliable online survey building tool that allows for complete customization of questions, online deployment, and collection and analysis of data. Additionally, FluidSurveys is a Canadian based company with servers located in Canada; therefore, it is not subject to United States FOIP Act regulations.

With a lack of information surrounding commu­ nication styles and their impact on safety in the workplace in general, and on the rig in particular, this study intends only to provide a correlative assessment and not attempt to prove causality.

Results The results from 37 successfully completed surveys were cross-tabulated with safety records and evaluated in light of existing research. Although findings are not statistically meaningful, they yield several interesting observations between CS variables and safe behavior. In particular, contrasting with some existing literature, it appears an authoritarian and task-orientated approach to safety messaging specifically may be more effective in delivering better safety results. The findings also suggest expressive rig managers may not be as safe as less expressive ones.

Conclusions Overall, the study reveals areas where the energy service industry would benefit from additional research. Specifically, it provides some practical insight into measuring and evaluating communication style effectively, and it suggests that situation and context may play a significant role in relation to achieving outcomes. The study also

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www.DataShapers.com December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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illustrates a need for the industry to re-evaluate safety reporting methods and perhaps introduce standardized protocols.

The study’s findings suggest rig managers as a group do not exhibit very high levels of expressiveness overall. The findings also suggest an abundance of expression may not be needed when delivering safety messages in a rig setting.

As an implication for training, those creating safety training programs should:

• Try to simplify procedures so a minimum of verbal explanation is required (perhaps using images, video, or other graphic illustrations).

• Familiarize new employees with the idea that roles on the rig are not as ambiguous as they may be in other professions, and directions from superiors should be followed accordingly.

• Emphasize listening skills and the need to ask questions when uncertain about procedures.

• Provide a glossary of terms to better prepare new recruits (a tactic many companies currently employ).

Structurally, the rig is a setting where roles are clearly defined. The literature and findings here suggest a leader’s traits or communication style overall become less of a factor with increased structure. Contextually, the energy service industry is one with a distinct culture, which is different from other leadership settings such as schools or health care facilities. With these two factors in mind, in order to effectively achieve HSE outcomes on drilling or service rigs, support for organizational structure appears critical.

Therefore, senior managers of service companies should:

• Establish clear expectations for all employees regarding HSE. • Communicate these expectations uniformly and consistently across the organization.

• Hold all employees accountable with fair and transparent HSE rules.

These steps would help remove any ambiguity surrounding a company’s HSE priorities and drive

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desired outcomes. It would also allow for more rig managers, with a greater range of communication styles and leadership abilities, to be successful.

Communicating that HSE is a fundamental part of an employee’s duties does not appear to be well suited to a human-oriented style of delivery. This may be because the manner in which individuals keep themselves safe is subject to proper procedures and protocols that are often inflexible and open to interpretation only after minimum requirements are met (e.g., the type of safety glasses one wears is debatable, but whether one wears them is not an option).

As such, service companies should: • Establish HSE as fundamental to the organization.

• Establish that HSE is a non-negotiable expectation.

• Clearly communicate and uphold the consequences for not meeting these expectations.

• Clearly communicate and promote the benefits for meeting these expectations.

• Support all decisions that are made in accordance with HSE policy regardless of short term or financial implications.

• Actively engage employees in seeking solutions to HSE challenges within the established HSE framework.

While conducting the study, it was revealed that the reporting of both total recordable incident frequency and incident free days is not regulated or enforced in a standardized manner and is therefore limited in its reliability.

For this reason, accurately determining how safely rig managers operate is not an easy task, which makes it challenging for service companies wanting to effectively evaluate RM performance.

As TRIF is currently used as a key performance indicator, the industry would be better served by exploring ways to:

• Regulate and enforce how TRIF is reported.

• Regulate and enforce how IFDs are reported.

• Develop a method of combining TRIF and IFD measures into a more meaningful statistic.

What’s all the HUBbub about?

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Improve the collaboration and communication within your company and between you and your suppliers Oilfield HUB addresses your productivity challenges as a strategic component of your operations, all within a single web based tool.

Phone: 403-537-6560

Toll Free: 1-866-883-8848

Call us to arrange a private tour of Oilfield HUB!

Sales@LeadstoneGroup.com

www.OilfieldHUB.com

CORRUPTION IN THE INDUSTRY

By Chadd Radke

By Chadd Radke Stormhold Energy Ltd. President/ CEO/ Director

Bailouts, price dilution, and damaged trust. Where do I begin?

When I took on this opportunity to write about Stormhold Energy Ltd., the oil and gas industry, and the struggles involved, I never thought the industry could sink opportunities over trained feelings. Well, I was wrong...

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ver the last number of years, we have seen bailouts in this industry, over paying for assets and adjusted stock prices that are so far offside they are next to criminal.

I would rather not name the companies involved, but you should be able to figure out the tran­sactions I will refer to once you recognize the capital in question.

I have found in the elite Calgary oil and gas circles that if you are part of the “group” then you are part of the corruption.

I have noticed, yet stayed away from, what I call “influenced market transactions” due to the fact that

they are ridiculously offside. Having worked for the Federal Correctional Services, I would rather be on this side of the fence than the other.

I have found that more inside information is

“The days of trusting people over a handshake are gone.” translated and exchanged within Calgary’s elite group of oil and gas executives than any other industry I have touched.

Selling assets far above market conditions for reasons discussed only over a glass of red or a bottle

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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of scotch may seem alright to most, yet this group ensures they walk all over shareholders while they fill the pockets of the already extremely wealthy.

Let me start by saying NDA’s (non-disclosure agreements) in the oil patch are completely useless and not worth the paper they are written on. Looking at our files, we have over 40 “signed NDA’s” and only a handful have been honored by the companies in our surrounding area.

As I mentioned in my last month’s article, Stormhold Energy Ltd. was in negotiations with major players in our AMI (area of mutual interest) to acquire our assets, data, technical information, and in two cases, our technical TEAM. Unfortunately for us, this group “signed” our NDA and moved on, and then they purchased land in our area, right beside our acreage, and drilled even

...paying over $250,000 per flowing barrel to help out your buddy/CEO who cannot do it himself is standard in our industry and apparently in central Alberta.

than we currently have and go after the soft hand shake crooks that steal data, step on credibility, and hope for failure so they can take the credit of others’ hard work.

Again, just to touch on the firms that influence market conditions, dilute shareholder equity, and over pay for companies over a splash of red, there are too many to name. But then again, paying over $250,000 per flowing barrel to help out your buddy/ CEO who cannot do it himself is standard in our industry and apparently in central Alberta.

Transparency, is a foul word yet used frequently in the oil and gas industry. Unfortunately, only a few mean it.

Having said that, we continue to push forward and JV with companies that fit our business model and shareholder mandate.

We have three independent reports that have calculated our resources of light, sweet crude, so we push on.

Keep in mind, the calculations below are on one zone, and we currently control 18 prospective zones.

Once we complete the other 18 zones of resource potentially independently, the numbers are staggering:

OOIP of 94 MMBbls/section P90 of 1.9 MMBbls/section

though our NDA eliminated them from doing so.

Today, they are in the midst of a very large study in the area, and I assume the results of the study will engulf them in a strategic drilling program, which we created three years ago.

In numerous cases, making promises that are outright lies are common in our industry. The amount of blow bags in this industry makes me literally sick to my stomach. Drilling commitments and JV (joint venture) agreements that are never met are out of control to say the least. The days of trusting people over a handshake are gone. If companies do not have extremely tight legal agreements and a lot of cash to back the agreements in court, companies of our size have no recourse. It was just yesterday I discussed this with our team. If our pockets were only deep enough, we would employ more counsel

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P50 of 5.5 MMBbls/section P10 of 14.1 MMBbls/section Stormhold Energy Ltd. has certainly had its fair share of obstacles and challenges, yet we continue to create opportunities while surrounding ourselves with good people. Looking back, we remain positive while raising capital, strengthening our balance sheet, and building relationships.

Although oil prices have remained stable, market conditions continue to make it difficult to raise development capital let alone exploration capital.

Please follow my next article when I will touch on raising capital as a “startup” energy company in a market that only finances recognized people and repeatable strategic business plans.

Raising capital “at the wood”.

lamb’s trucking ltd.

a Drayton Valley company with a focus on safe hauling procedures

Member at large

It all started from a humble beginning. With one driver, a truck, and a large heart, a company was created known as Lamb’s Tankers. With a single Kenworth truck, it was just the start of a much larger diverse operation. Today, the company is called Lamb’s Trucking Ltd. and includes a fleet of shining new Western Star trucks from eight to 40 tonne pickers, up to 300 inch big beds, tandem and tridem Texas bed trucks, and a full range of over 300 rental products.

L

amb’s Trucking and Oilfield Rentals is based in the town of Drayton Valley, which is located 80mi west of Edmonton.

Drayton Valley is a very busy hub for the oil patch in central Alberta. The operations base for Lamb’s Trucking includes three secure yards to store and maintain their line of equipment and two large truck barns with a full 100 foot wash bay that accommodates trucks and trailers.

Lamb’s Trucking has established itself with key relationships with some of the major oilfield players located in the Drayton Valley area. Their impeccable safety record is one of the main reasons Lamb’s

maintains these key relationships with these companies. Through innovative and entrepreneurial thinking in all levels of their operations, some creative oilfield design products have been accepted well from their clients. These innovative equipment designs are the result of input from its field employees to front office management.

Some examples of their product designs are the Wellhead Workover Platforms, Fuel Pump Systems, and LED Light-Tower Packages. They also carry a complete Tank Farm Package with over 80, 400 barrel tanks complete with manifolds and hose assembly.

HUB Search: https://hub.oilfieldhub.com/p/DDMachine

LambsTrucking

To easily locate our members in OilfieldHUB.com enter their HUB Search Name in the Oilfield HUB Search Engine

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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SoBow

South of the Bow

A unique new condo development where the elements of nature, history and modern living converge to create a vibrant, active and healthy lifestyle for its residents. his community is located in Calgary’s historic neighbour­ hood of Inglewood and situated directly adjacent to Pearce Estate Park, the Bow River and with direct access to the Regional Pathway system. Whether you are a cyclist, runner, walker or paddle boarder looking for an easy portage — SoBow caters to all and puts you on a path to a longer, healthier and active life. If the weather is too harsh (yes - hard to believe) or you just want a personalized workout indoors, then take advantage of the 8,200ft gym facility that is accessible free of charge to residents. Extending beyond the adjacent amenities of the park, river and pathway system, SoBow offers easy connectivity to the road network and public transit system with BRT service, no matter your preferred mode of transportation for getting out and about, whether a short commute downtown or short notice trip to the mountains after a powder alert.

No other neighbourhood has EVERYTHING Inglewood has, and it won’t take long to realize this when you visit the Sales Centre. With Pearce Estate Park, Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery and the Bow Habitat Visitor Centre, Inglewood Golf & Curling Club, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and the great restaurants, shops and bars along 9th Ave, you won’t ever be short on things to do living at SoBow.

www.sobowcondos.com Sales Centre: 1640 17A Street SE | Phone: 587.353.8955

“We’re runners and cyclists and

our door and hitting the pathwa

us almost anywhere we

Bob Mathison, Inglewood Com

d we love stepping out

Inglewood’s location makes getting to a running group, a yoga class

ay system which takes

or the gym part of the workout. Walking or biking our daughter to

e want to go�

mmunity Member

school is one of my favourite things about living in Inglewood Angela Sayers, Inglewood Community Member

Tee Up Your Next Buddies Golf Trip.

By Chris Smith | Golf Canada’s West

The temperatures have plunged, the cold winter winds are blowing sideways, and yet a fire burns inside you. It’s the residual heat from your not so distant buddies golf trip this year. The very thought of which is what is going to get you through the cold, day shortened months, until our annual frost delay lifts and camaraderie lives again,… not that you need any more excuses to get away with your best buds.

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Wilderness Club - Eureka Montana

continued

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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Western Canada is a hotbed for buddies golf trips. From the Canadian Rockies to Whistler and Victoria, golf, accommodations, fine eats, and drink are readily available.

Okanagan Gold Club - Kelowna, BC

Predator Ridge - Vernon, BC

E

very year thousands of avid golfers embark on an annual pilgrimage, their buddies golf trip. It doesn’t matter whether it is just a couple of days or a full week, a couple hours’ drive or a plane ride to another country, the ingredients are the same: golf, friends and more golf. As in any group, there are roles that need to be filled and tasks that need to be accomplished each year to make sure the upcoming event will be better than the last. The biggest duty bestowed on anyone in a buddies trip is the actual booking of all the particulars. This role may be held by the same person year after year or shared on a rotating

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Crown Isle - Courtney, BC basis. Maybe you go to the same location every year; maybe you have a bucket list of places you’re planning to go to. Either way, someone has to make all the arrangements so the hardest part for the rest of the group is booking time off work….and getting the chief cat herder his money on time.

Western Canada is a hotbed for buddies golf trips.

From the Canadian Rockies to Whistler and Victoria, golf, accommodations, fine eats, and drink are readily available. The Columbia Golf Trail, Kootenay’s Golf, the Okanagan, and Kamloops all support the elements that combine for a great communal meeting of avid golf friends. The extended day light hours are

Crown Isle Villas - Courtney, BC

Fairmont Banff Springs

Furry Creek - Horshoe Bay Vancouver an added bonus for groups wishing to play 36 holes.

You don’t have to be the first group out at 0 dark 30 just to get your fix in. Enjoy, you are on vacation.

“A 15 year returning group of ours has made it clear that no tee times are to be booked before 9:30 each morning, even on the 36 holes days”, says Golf Canada’s West President Gordon Schultz. “They understand the heavy lifting has already been done by the time they arrive, and all that’s left to do is show up, play, settle some bets, and have serious fun.”

A valuable ally then for any buddies trip organizer is that of a reputable golf tour operator. There are a number of balls that need to be juggled to ensure

Bear Mountain - Victoria you, as the group’s leader, deliver a seamless itinerary of golf, comfortable digs, and plenty of quality post round activities. There is one person who is going to be the first up and the last to bed, and their being able to rely on the experience of a professional tour operator to provide the best available options and pricing is invaluable.

Keep us in mind this winter while you’re planning next year’s buddies trip. Give Golf Canada’s West a call at 1-877-323-3633 or visit them online at golfcanadaswest.com to book your next Western Canadian golf vacation.

Chris Smith | Golf Canada’s West

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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ex

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xpropriation compensation

By Paul Einarsson, COO and Chairman, GSI & Greg Bohnert, Freelance Consultant

In 1969, the future president of Geophysical Service Incorporated was working in Libya. Davey Einarsson arrived there working for the original GSI, but on September 1st, he had resigned to take on the job of Exploration Manager for Chappaqua Oil. It was the same day Ghadafi seized control of Libya, and shortly after, the oil company was nationalized and asked to leave.

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F

ast forward to the present day where the Calgary based Geophysical Service Incorporated (GSI), the largest owner of marine seismic data in Canada, is fighting the expropriation without compensation of its private property.

By definition, what GSI is fighting is not nation­ alization. But COO and Chairman Paul Einarsson can certainly see a parallel in the current govern­ment policy, which is expanding the release of GSI data into the public domain. That legacy also explains the passion and persistence Einarsson has to continue the fight to see some justice done for his company.

“What is occurring is so unfair and, in my opinion, un-Canadian. Nova Scotia is using another’s data, interpreting it, disclosing the confidential interpretations which include data, and posting it online to promote the current NS13-1 lease sale,” says Einarsson. “These acts, and in addition to the above acts, Nova Scotia is also providing navigation shape files for download without any tracking, is the first we have seen of this new expanded disclosure.

The CNSOPB, despite litigation, seeks to rapidly expand its use, conversion, and disclosure of seismic data it’s expropriating. This is wreckless and irresponsible behaviour by what I see as a totalitarian entity right here in Canada.”

GSI has filed legal action against both federal and provincial regulators such as the Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, the Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, the National Energy Board, and Natural Resources Canada over the use, disclosure, and release of its proprietary seismic data to third parties. This means many current and prospective GSI customers are not bothering to pay to license the data when they can get it for free. The new policy to disclose digital files has exacerbated this damper on sales.

Paul Einarsson has tracked down much of his seismic data, which has been released from the NEB, Natural Resources Canada, the CNLOPB, and the CNSOPB data banks, and in most cases, it has been copied. His research has come through endless filings of Access to Information Act requests. But, some governments and agencies would rather use

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clauses under the same regulation to obstruct or simply refuse to release the information.

“While they bend the rules left and right, GSI is hamstrung by strict observation of these rules,” says Einarsson. “The new form of disclosure by the CNSOPB will make it impossible for GSI to now even do access requests to find out who the recipients are.”

Recently, after a litany of complaints from GSI to the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada that the Department of Natural Resources was not forthcoming about the disclosure of records from a June 2010 Access to Information request, some action was finally taken.

OIC Commissioner Suzanne Legault determined there was substance to the complaints filed by

When there is evidence of government policies that do more harm than good, the question is why such regimes should be allowed to continue?

Einarsson that the Access to Information Act was misapplied in concealing the records requested. As explained in a letter from the counsel for the OIC, an application was initiated for a judicial review in respect of the Minister of Natural Resources Canada’s decision to refuse to disclosure all records of what it did with GSI’s surveys to third parties under the personal information exemption.

“GSI’s data was improperly disclosed to the customers and prospective customers of GSI and NRC who sought to obstruct GSI’s access to this information by covering up companies, company employees and emails, and other professional information. It is trying to use privacy as a shield to cover up this illegal, if not highly improper, distribution,” alleges Einarsson.

The issue is getting traction in the media but not to the extent one might expect. Part of that is few companies, unlike GSI, have the courage to take their

Modernizing: Moving from paper to digital files

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

41

fight public. Managing editor of Blacklocks.ca Tom Korski, who is following the GSI story, understands the attitude towards such claims and why there is such inaction or lack of leadership from the political arena.

“In my experience, there is simply little compre­ hension of the Copyright Act or intellectual property values on Parliament Hill among many staffers, regulators, media, and even legislators. Unlicensed distribution is not seen as theft; it is dismissed as a technical infraction of inconvenient rules that favour greedy complainants. I recall one MP who admitted to distributing copyright material actually becoming angry over suggestions he was stealing someone’s work,” says Korski.

Government meddling in the distribution of proprietary seismic data is an issue Paul Einarsson feels is a concern for the industry.

“The entire new information economy the government says it is trying to promote is at risk when the government itself deals directly to provide cooperation, support, and business to piracy firms while actively seeking to destroy the Canadian business of a creator or investor in intellectual property because we speak out about their improper expropriation,” he says.

The fight has been escalated by discoveries

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that governments or regulatory bodies can easily obstruct a company’s or individual’s rights by side stepping the spirit of the Access to Information Act. This comes at a time when the federal government and others are busy touting, “government transparency” policies that will enshrine those same rights for all Canadians.

Government policies that open up the playing field for competition often translate into opening doors and dropping barriers for huge foreign multi-nationals to step in. Historically, what is done for the greater good more often than not comes at a cost for Canadians in the form of job losses or foreign takeovers.

For GSI, a huge issue is the Newfoundland and Labrador crown oil company Nalcor. It is now becoming a seismic data owner who has invested up to 40 million dollars with a foreign competitor of GSI to place a survey over GSI data, which virtually put GSI out of business in this area.

The survey was in part to show new activity after arguing GSI was obstructing new work.

The Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board has gone into competition with GSI by releasing the company’s intellectual property after an improper ten year confidentiality period they created. That same data is used by the province to

promote its offshore economic development but without paying the license fees for the data, which belong to GSI. Submitting valuable non-exclusive seismic data to the CNLOPB was a regulatory requirement for GSI to obtain a permit to do the work offshore. The governments say they act only as a library.

“The problem is libraries don’t make it easier for you to violate intellectual property laws. The boards and NRC made copies, sent data out to be copied or scanned, and knowingly participated in copyright violations,” says Einarsson, who adds there are hun­dreds of examples as evidence to support his claims.

When there is evidence of government policies that do more harm than good, the question is why such regimes should be allowed to continue?

In Alberta and other territories, for example, there is the protection GSI should have and is entitled to. Under section 50 of the Alberta Mines and Minerals Act, the confidentiality of seismic data is enshrined. Importantly, there is no require­ ment for companies to submit seismic data to any provincial agency to obtain permits to do their work, so there is nothing there to disclose. The free market is allowed to work.

GSI Data Library

People and companies can keep the fruits of their labour and don’t have to deal with expropriation.

Geophysical Service Incorporated is getting support after taking its fight over government overreach public.

Joseph Quesnel, a policy analyst with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, concluded in a recent

Governments throughout Canada are given wide latitude in regulating property. The GSI case illustrates the precarious nature of intellectual property rights in Canada. editorial that a system in which private interests are trampled on, without providing or even offering the appropriate protections or compensation, are never sustainable in the long run.

As Quesnel sees it, “Governments throughout Canada are given wide latitude in regulating property. The GSI case illustrates the precarious

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

43

nature of intellectual property rights in Canada.

Through regulation, governments may confiscate property without compensation. Great emphasis is placed on physical property, but little attention is given to intellectual property, even though the economic loss can be just as great.”

The actions of both provinces and the federal government undermine the ownership of GSI’s seismic data and threaten the financial viability of the company.

Paul Einarsson feels it is an example for all other Canadian businesses and citizens who have to ask themselves if they might be next.

Most representatives of the Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia governments and regulatory agencies are quick to offer no comment

Going public with lawsuits takes courage, and it often brings unwarranted criticism from within the industry itself. It’s part of the cost of seeking justice. since these cases are before the courts. However, they continue to use, and are even expanding, the disclosure of seismic data at the centre of legal wrangling to promote offshore exploration and development.

Going public with lawsuits takes courage, and it often brings unwarranted criticism from within the industry itself. It’s part of the cost of seeking justice.

Recently, GSI filed a statement of claim in the Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta against Nalcor, the Newfoundland and Labrador crown-owned energy company. GSI maintains Nalcor is interfering in its business with customers by taking interests in leases with GSI licensees where license agreements require other participants to license the same GSI data. Just like computer software, these are single user licenses, and if all participants don’t have a license, it’s wrong. The alleged interference occurs

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when Nalcor refuses to license the seismic data of GSI customers, which is a standard practise in the industry. In this case alone, GSI is seeking more than nine million dollars in damages from Nalcor.

Paul Einarsson says for him this goes to the heart of the matter. “Nalcor is directly or indirectly benefiting from GSI data, while ignoring GSI contracts with its customers requiring all participants to license the same data over a particular block. Nalcor never assisted GSI, or any other Canadian company, yet it invests 40 million with a foreign company.”

The protracted dispute over the distribution of proprietary seismic data in the public domain can be blamed perhaps on the unwillingness by politicians to act to correct damaging policies or government overreach. There also is a perception that such disputes fall outside of the overall defense of such regulations for the public or economic good, even when there is proof those policies do not bring about the much touted results for the industry.

More importantly, they set disturbing precedents for all private property owners.

In Canada, most of the regulatory policies put in place by the government are accepting the result of conferring with the principles and the result of policy analysis. People expect the policies are enacted to protect them.

But in the case of Geophysical Service Incorporated, government policies have caused all harm and no good.

However, Paul Einarsson feels progress is being made in his fight over confiscation of private property.

“The new evidence we find daily is alarming but welcome. Recently, GSI had evidence dropped off on its door step showing a major oil company partnering with a piracy firm to copy GSI’s and other data for itself and to resell to other oil companies.”

Geophysical Service Incorporated is soon to be the focus of a documentary video on the issue of the fight for property rights in Canada. It’s an important issue for the oil and gas industry and for all Canadians. For more on the ongoing story, visit www.geophysicalservice.com.

WE PURCHASE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE! “Over 40 years of service” Fast, Friendly & Affordable No Minimums No Up-Front Fees DARYL M. TURKO | PRINCIPAL 403.241.9695 | dturko@interfacefinancial.com www.interfacefinancial.com/turko

Susan

Aglukark DREAMING OF HOME

Singer–songwriter Susan Aglukark is one of Canada’s most unique artists, and a leading voice in Canadian music.

Dreaming Of Home is a new recording of uplifting contemporary seasonal favourites.

Overall, she has sold over 700,000 albums and won three JUNO Awards. available on itunes & music stores everywhere

Album Track Listing

1 This Must Be The Place 2 Old Toy Trains 3 Silent Night 4 Love Came Down at Christmas

5 HuronCarole 6 Caledonia 7 LittleroadTo Bethlehem 8 BreathOfHeaven 9 DoYouHearWhatI Hear

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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Calgary Women in

Energy Giving Back to the Community

By Naomi Migas, CWIE Director & SueAnne Fu, CWIE Director

Community involvement is a key pillar of Calgary Women in Energy (CWIE), and throughout the year, our members support some amazing Calgary charities.

Charities that CWIE members currently support are: • Calgary Drop-in Centre: Serving both a lunch and dinner service on a monthly basis.

• Calgary Annual Food Drive: This September, we contributed to the collection of 398,940 lbs of food.

• Soup Sisters: Getting together quarterly to make soup for the Calgary Women’s Shelter.

• Women’s Centre of Calgary: Annual Christmas Toy Drive.

July 3rd CWIE Golf Tournament – Another Successful Event Our biggest financial charity support is in July at the Annual CWIE Mixed Golf Tournament. The tournament has grown in the past 11 years to become one of the most coveted tournaments in the energy sector, and it sold out this year in just 10 days!

Even with the disastrous event of the flooding the week before, the tournament was full with 149 golfers attending on the beautiful day to support a great cause. We are grateful to our fabulous sponsors who are so generous with their time, money and help to host this anticipated event every year.

A special shout out must be made to all of the volunteers on the committee and the ones that came out the day of the event. These ladies on the committee put in many hours to ensure the

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tournament continues to be a great success.

As CWIE Member Tamsyn McLean remarked, “I continue to hear how well the CWIE Golf Tournament runs. Year over year it gets better.”

For those who have been involved with the tournaments, you understand the energy and time that must be dedicated and we say thank you again for your commitment to CWIE. All proceeds raised from the CWIE golf tour­

Naomi Migas & Maureen Crozier (Co-Golf Committee Chairs) with members of CWIE & Discovery House at the CWIE Sponsored Hole

CWIE members greeting our golfers

naments are donated to charities with the majority of them assisting in breaking the cycle of domestic violence for women, children, and men. Past charities receiving proceeds have included:

• YWCA Calgary, Sheriff King Home • The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Grief Support Program • Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta This year, the charity voted by members for CWIE to support is the Discovery House. The Discovery House operates two programs; both provide ongoing psychological, financial, and emotional support to enable women and children to make meaningful and lasting changes in their lives. The two programs are:

• The Residential Program – a post emergency shelter facility that houses an average of 19 mothers and 40-45 children on any given day, and • The Community Housing Program - places families in permanent and stable housing With the $45,000 raised this year, that brings the total amount raised by the CWIE Golf Tournament to $275,500 to date!

Next year, the tournament will be held on July 2, 2014 at D’Arcy Ranch. We will be looking for

sponsors to continue to make this one of the best golf tournaments (supporting Discovery House and CWIE), and we invite interested parties to contact the Golf Committee Chair, Naomi Migas, at ncmigas@yahoo.ca for details.

Calgary Women in Energy (CWIE) is an indepen­ dent non-profit membership society dedicated to promoting, supporting, and empowering professional women in the energy sector in Calgary, Alberta.

During CWIE’s monthly Mix & Mingler in September, we were extremely pleased to present a cheque to the Discovery House for $45,000!

CWIE’s activities revolve around four pillars: Education, Mentorship, Community involvement, & Networking For more information about CWIE, please visit our website at www.cwie.org For more information about the Discovery House, please visit www.discoveryhouse.ca

The golfers enjoying lunch sponsored by Balon Valves

CWIE members prepping for the CWIE Mixed Golf Tournament

a wine

christma Uncork the secret to buying wine this Holiday Season

By stephen hart, western canadian wine consultants

On a recent trip to the wine shop for some Christmas gifts, it came to me - this isn’t easy! I’ve never been very good at picking out gifts for people, but selecting wine, well this is what I do everyday. I help people choose their wine, and for some reason, it is still challenging. Needless to say, I think I did pretty good.

I

’ll let you in on the insights I used; the first thing was to keep it simple. Most people at Christmas time enjoy heavy bodied wines like Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz.

There is something about these wines that warms the heart with Christmas spirit, even on the coldest days. Perhaps it is the jammy-ness, the spices, or the smoke off the barrels.

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Step number two is to remember that your guests likely think about their budget when they buy wine, so what would they buy? The average person doesn’t often spend more then $20.00 on a bottle of wine, so there is no need to break the bank for a tasty bottle of wine. Keep it in their budget and to what they are used to drinking. My mom, who is a fan of drinking and cooking with wine, would be

as greatly disappointed if I brought her a nice bottle of Barolo or Bordeaux. She simply prefers drinking her $7.00 cooking ingredients.

The third step I use when picking good value wines is choosing wines I know are consistently good from year to year and boast quality better then the average bottle. These make for wines that both the average and advanced wine drinker would enjoy. Here is a list of some of the easy to find wineries with consistent quality: Meomi Pinot Noir, “The Show” Cabernet Sauvignon, Beringer

Cabernet Sauvignon, and Molly Dooker Shiraz “the Boxer”.

These wines can keep you under the twenty dollar

These wines can keep you under the twenty dollar range, and they are still enjoyable during Christmas dinners or good as gifts. range, and they are still enjoyable during Christmas dinners or good as gifts. With these tips in mind, I am confident you will make any wine drinker on your Christmas list happy this holiday season!

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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SLEDNEC ULTIMATE SNOWMOBILING IN BACKCOUNTRY WHISTLER

BY Chris Brown

Crisp mountain air, backcountry snow, aerial tricks and adventure. Think I’m talking about skiing or snowboarding?

Think again… I’m talking about suiting up, throwing my leg over a snowmobile and launching myself off a ramp made of snow, back flipping said snowmobile, and landing right side up. Crazy? I say adventurous!

W

ith the season of winter sports upon us, most people don’t think of journeying to the mountains for a little extreme snowmobiling. While most people are cruising the hill on skis and snowboards, we are barreling down on sleds performing insane stunts. What we do at Slednecks is not for the faint of heart. We are uniting snow loving thrill seekers for some aggressive riding in what we would argue are some of the best locations in Western Canada.

I have been riding in the Mountains for about 20 years now. Having lived in Colorado, I started driving to Whistler, B.C. to film with Slednecks about 8 years ago. I quickly realized how much more I liked the terrain and the amount of snow B.C. has to offer over Colorado. About a year later, I moved to Whistler and have loved it ever since!

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SLEDNECKS

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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I have extensive training in outdoor survival, first aid, and avalanche safety. I also have my 80-hour wilderness first aid certification and my Level 1 Ops Avalanche certification. As an active member of the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA), I am able to teach Companion Rescue Skills and AST1 avalanche courses. This kind of training is what keeps us safe doing what we do. All too often people forget how unforgiving Mother Nature can be. You have to treat her with respect and be prepared and trained to deal with whatever she throws at you.

RWCB Adventures is the snowmobile lodge I operate in Whistler. We have amazing riding here with everything from the best tree riding, to alpine and glacier riding. Most people don’t realize just how big the riding areas are here and how many different

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zones there are around Whistler. The best part is you will see very few people and tracks when on a ride with us. It’s alpine riding at its finest. Beautiful backdrops, awesome tree riding, deep powder, descents, glaciers, natural hits, just about anything you could ask for.

Working hands on with riders is one of my favorite things about the sport. This is why I teach Technical Riding Clinics in McBride, Golden, the US, and in Sweden, helping riders to develop their skills on a snowmobile and their avalanche awareness. The goal is to have everyone leave as a more skilled rider, with higher confidence that is able to get themselves out of any situation. These new boondocking skills really help people find fun and new terrains to ride that they may have skipped in the past. For the uninitiated,

boondocking on a snowmobile is basically backcountry riding, creating your own path through fresh powder.

Ideally, I would like to see every mountain rider get some level of avalanche safety training before they venture out into the backcountry. It could save your life or someone else’s! Every backcountry snowmobiler should be aware of the risks for the area they plan to ride. Not only does this involve avalanche training, but also reading daily avalanche reports/ratings and studying the weather forecast.

The weather can change the avalanche conditions in no time, so knowing the forecast is really important on many levels.

I really enjoy teaching people to become better technical riders while being safer at the same time.

Avalanche safety and trip planning are part of the daily operations here at RWCB Adventures. I want you all to make it home safely every night - your

We have amazing riding here with everything from the best tree riding to alpine and glacier riding. friends and loved ones are counting on it. The more educated people in the backcountry are, the safer we ALL will be!

Have a fun (and safe) winter playing in the powder!

If you ever want to experience “The Trip of a Lifetime”, check us out at ridewithchrisbrown.com.

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

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plains Perspective True Leadership In the last article, I spoke about how the message of a labour shortage is starting to become too large a message. As I said previously, the shortage is just one variable a business can face, so I thought talking about some of the other variables, and my experience with them, might be a good next step. At Plains, we believe in providing a platform for, “customers and suppliers to become partners in success.”

In fact, we use that as a slogan for our company. So why not start a dialogue?

O

ne thing I have seen happen in every company I have worked for is the internal promotion of an above average employee into a lead hand or manager position. I think most companies would agree it is almost always best practice to give your staff the ability to climb the ladder within your organization.

We feel that as well, but how many times has this internal promotion been successful? How much time did you spend analyzing the employee’s personality before you made the move? Did you factor into your decision the loss of production which will surely result from the loss of one of your best people?

Did you think about how your new manager will cope now that he is down one of his best people?

Did you prepare him/her to deal with personalities, procedures, policies, reviews, forecasting, basic accounting, and/or lean tools? The list of considerations and consequences goes on and on.

Being a manager is not as simple as being the person who understands the most about an occupation. You need to understand people, and you need to understand the basics of standard business

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practice. No, you don’t need to be an accountant to be a lead hand, but if you don’t understand how businesses make money or if that is something your new recruit doesn’t want to bother with, you need to ask yourself if you are doing the right thing. To take your best welder or your best engineer and make them a manager is not a bad decision unless you decided not to prepare them for what being a manager actually means. These skills cannot be learned overnight, and some people do not have what it takes to be a manager even after training.

Hiring staff is always a gamble. Anyone can put on a good face in an interview. We all have success stories and complete failures, and in both cases, we probably used the same criteria for the hire. I like to joke internally that there are times in the province of Alberta where finding a truly great B-pressure welder is like trying to find a leprechaun. Hiring a truly great manager who really understands the job right out of the gate is harder than finding a mythical creature. There may be rare exceptions, but do you want to make one of your most important decisions based on a rare exception?

A good manager will not only make you money, but they will pay for their salary two or three times in a year by making the right decisions at the right times. They may do it just by troubleshooting a problem to make sure it never happens again. You can ask a good manager something once, and when you come back, whatever you asked is done or being worked on. A good manager understands the morale of his people is integral and knows how to balance between an employee or a department’s want and a company’s need.

It is too easy as a manager to make a bad management decision and rush into hiring a department manager or a lead hand. Look internally to your problem areas, and often places where you struggle can be traced back to the manager. The employee morale can be high or low, and again, this is management (often upper management but maybe in the next article we will tackle that landmine).

At the end of the day, would I hire internally for these positions? Absolutely.

Would I do it without spending the time and effort required to make that person understand what the job entails? I hope not.

Plains Fabrication is now trying to identify our future managers, so slowly over time, we can send them for the training they require to understand what leadership truly entails. If you are looking internally to hire a manager, do your due diligence – or ask yourself who the bad manager truly is when you don’t get the results you expected out of the person you chose for the job. If you answer that question honestly, you may realize how many problems start from the top and work their way down.

A good manager will not only make you money, but they will pay for their salary two or three times in a year by making the right decisions at the right times.

Tom McCaffery General Manager Plains Fabrication

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demystifying

Gluten

We have all heard of the evils of gluten in the last few years. “Quit gluten, lose weight!” “Misbehaving child? Gluten is to blame!” “Gluten is making you sick, fat, depressed, confused…” Fill in the blanks, and it has been blamed on the once glorious gluten.

I

am not speaking to those with celiac disease or people with severe gluten intolerance; I am speaking to the people who have jumped on the gluten free (GF) bandwagon. The same people who once ate only carbs, then quit carbs altogether, then went low fat, then only used artificial sweeteners, then went on cleanses, then joined the cabbage soup diets, and whatever else that was hot and new. For the most part, mainstream media dictates current diet trends. Whatever the celebrities are doing, we must do! However, if we don’t do our own research and fully understand these trending diets, we can cause our body unnecessary stress and deprive ourselves of vital nutrients.

I am not here to tell you to go gluten free or not. You need to make that choice based on what your body is telling you it needs. But I do feel you can’t make an educated decision until you have an understanding

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of what exactly gluten is, and what effect it has on us. Unless you are careful, a diet lacking gluten can also lack essential vitamins, nutrients, and fiber.

Remember, it’s not gluten itself offering nutritional benefits, but the grains containing gluten.

Gluten refers to the proteins found in wheat tissue.

It both nourishes plant embryos during germination and affects the elasticity of dough. This gives the body and chewiness to the products in which it is used. Gluten has been eaten for thousands of years, with little to no known adverse effects to our digestive systems. Some people are saying the high demand for crops, especially wheat, has lead to mass farming and genetic modification of the grain, which is leaving our bodies to no longer recognize this once familiar food. This may be the culprit of so many emerging gluten intolerance issues.

Gluten containing grains include wheat, barley, rye, spelt, and although oats don’t contain gluten, the crops are often affected by nearby grains. If you consume these grains and have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten, your body can have an abnormal immune response. This autoimmune reaction can damage the lining of the small intestine and cause great pain and suffering. Such symptoms may include diarrhea, anemia, bone pain, thyroid issues, and severe skin rashes. In turn, this can prevent important

nutrients from being absorbed into the body.

So after reading this article, I hope you can understand why it’s very important for a small percentage of the population to be careful about eliminating gluten from their diets. There are some great natural gluten free grains you can choose from such as brown and wild rice, millet, cornmeal, amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat seeds. I would encourage everyone to experiment with these grains.

They are delicious, versatile, and very high in nutrients.

There are also some high quality, packaged gluten free products on the market, but please be cautious and do your homework when purchasing these products. Just because it says gluten free doesn’t mean it’s healthy! This is a very common misconception. Is it made with a whole grain such as brown rice or processed white rice? What is the sodium, sugar, and fat content? You may be sabotaging your health with many of these products.

If you are one of the lucky people who can enjoy gluten, do so with knowledge. Instead of completely eliminating gluten from your diet, try to reduce your intake of processed packaged products as much as possible. Exclude store bought processed cookies, crackers, soups, sauces, white breads, and pastas.

Opt for whole grains and try cooking and baking more healthy alternatives at home. Go to your local bakery

and see what kinds of healthy options they have to offer. Make healthier choices by simply including more whole fruits, veggies, and lean proteins in your diet.

Only you know what’s truly right for your body.

Pay attention to the signs. Your body will tell you when it’s unhappy. Check your energy and stress levels, sleeping habits, skin changes, and consciously examine what’s going on in your diet. Keeping a food journal for two weeks and tracking what and how you’re feeling in relation to what you’re eating will help determine how your body reacts to specific types of foods. If you do have serious concerns, go to your doctor and have allergy testing done. Remember, you are what you eat, so eat clean, happy, and healthy food!

J

Jessica Willott is a personal chef and is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist.

She recently created Essential Ingredients Cooking, a Personal Chef and Nutrition Consulting company.

She specializes in whole foods cooking, She’s thrilled to now be teaching cooking classes at ATCO Blueflame Kitchen, as well as working as a culinary educator with the Calgary Weight Management Centre.

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

57

ZENERT’S

MARKETING

MINUTE

101 EMAIL MARKETING

BY JACK ZENERTS, VP SALES AND MARKETING BEACON NEWS

I am sure you have read about this marketing tactic. You probably have had it suggested to you by some marketing consultant, and yes that may have even been me...

a joke or something else to make it interesting (insert cute cat picture here).

Then, they send out emails month after month.

The results are miserable.

Is it really the email marketing not working or something else?

Email marketing is like many other things in life or business. If it’s not done properly and with the ou can easily set up a form on your right plan in place, the results are not what you website and collect the email addresses will expect. from every visitor. Then, you can send For effective email marketing to run successful every new prospect a great offer email campaigns, you need a plan. A good overall containing a link to your product information. Now, e-marketing strategy that fits in with your complete the cash rolls in. marketing plan is important. Although, even having Hey, I admit I have suggested to clients and a plan does not guarantee success. Two mistakes I prospects to use email marketing, but I have never often see are: pushing too hard or not targeting your been so glib to suggest it will be easy or that the audience with the right offer. cash will roll in.

The first mistake is when you create some type of Unfortunately, too many believe it is that easy. offer in your email and blast it out to your list. You So, they set up an email marketing campaign on their website and wait, and wait, and wait some more. expect immediate results from that offer. But your list is made up of prospects – whether you found Not much happens. them at a trade show, on Facebook, in person at “This email marketing just doesn’t work,” is their networking functions, through LinkedIn, or through response after trying it.

Sometimes, they are told to send monthly updates, cold calling lists in your target market. These people are just getting to know you, and you have not built a newsletter, or some other type of email to all the up a relationship with them first. Email marketing people they have on their prospect list. They put is a cornerstone to inbound marketing, but inbound together some product updates, maybe an article from someone in the company, and perhaps add in marketing is built on relationships and trust. Unless

Y

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your prospect trusts you, they will not respond to your offer no matter how great it is.

The second mistake is with your initial signup, the method you use to gather emails, and the list you created is not focused.

Try gathering emails related directly to your target market and only your target market. Then, you can create an email sign up form and offer something so amazing, something so spectacular, your visitors grab it in droves. They will be happy to give up their email address. You see this when organizations offer things like a contest with a very valuable prize.

Another poor technique is the ‘Money Grab’ box at trade shows. I am sure you have seen it. You step into a glass box similar to a phone booth, they turn it on, money blows all around, and you get to grab as much as you can in ten seconds. They get you to sign up, with your email address, in order to step in the box.

However, wanting to grab money does not make you a potential perfect client. No, it only means you want money. It has nothing to do with their product or service.

Your offer needs to be good enough that people will

give you their email address, but it also has to align with your target market and the product you offer. It must move them towards a purchase.

An effective email marketing campaign starts with building relationships with the right people. Sharing information on a regular basis is part of the process.

Sharing yourself by being authentic is another part of the process.

Email marketing is about bringing the right people to your website and honestly showing them what you offer. Then, it involves capturing their email with an offer in line with the products or services you provide on a day-to-day basis. Yes, sweeten the offer in some way by making it special, but do not go outside your target.

Then, when you send out emails to those prospects, you can share information that moves them along the buying process.

When you do send out an offer, be sure it is of high quality and works to solve their problems.

A good email marketing campaign takes work, and it takes planning. By properly creating the right strategy, you will have an email marketing campaign that produces excellent results.

Email marketing is about bringing the right people to your website and honestly showing them what you offer.

December 2013 | OilfieldPULSE |

59

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