Petroleum Service News - Summer 2016 by Venture Publishing

SU MMER 201 6

2016 Drilling Activity Forecast Oil People Helping Oil People

T H E O F F I C I A L V O I C E O F T H E P E T R O L E U M S E R V I C E S A S S O C I AT I O N O F C A N A D A

Horizon Oilfield Solutions overcomes tough times

Experts give us their advice on navigating the services sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s path ahead

Stay Ahead of the Game As a player in Canada’s volatile oilpatch you’re as tough as they get. Agile, hard-working, able to move forward in prosperity or adversity. To stay on top of this highly competitive industry you need a strong team behind you. MNP’s oilfield services professionals deliver the financial management, analysis and business advisory tools you require to make the right decisions at the right time. No matter where the markets go, we’ll keep you ahead of the curve. Contact Jeremy Rondeau, Vice President – Oilfield Services, at jeremy.rondeau@mnp.ca

Photo courtesy of Beaver Drilling Ltd

CONTENTS 12

SUMMER 2016

Departments MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR IN THE FIELD

5 9

News, notes and events from the industry

2016 DRILLING ACTIVITY FORECAST

BUSINESS MATTERS

Calgary Economic Development works to help service companies succeed at home and abroad

MEMBER PROFILE

Horizon Oilfield Solutions

PSAC IN ACTION

Features THE PATHWAY FORWARD

COVER

The services sector must re-evaluate and adapt to move ahead during tough times

A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON A new support group helps laid-off oil and gas workers during tough times

ENERGY ADVOCATE An alliance provides more than loans to the oilpatch and the Living Energy Project showcases new technology

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Making It Through WITH VERY FEW SIGNS OF RECOVERY ON THE HORIZON, PSAC’S ADVOCACY EFFORTS RAMP UP

T’S BEEN AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR FOR THE OIL AND

gas industry. Some services companies have not made it through our tough economic climate, and others are struggling and in danger of closing their doors forever. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of good news to share. But if there’s one thing for certain, it’s that we are a resilient sector and we will adapt, change and make it through to better times. You might wonder what PSAC is doing for our membership during these hard economic times. Given the protracted downturn, PSAC has been actively engaging with federal and provincial governments on the urgency of access to tidewater for our oil and natural gas. We are also advocating for a proposed well decommissioning initiative that would provide jobs in the sector. PSAC has been educating new MPs, MLAs and senior staff to ensure we are at the table for pertinent consultations, including the upcoming review in Alberta of the Employment Standards Act and the WCB. All of this means our advocacy efforts have stepped up dramatically over the past several

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months. We will not rest until the oilfield services sector and its employees are back to work. Although the federal and provincial governments cannot control the price of oil, they can help facilitate access to tidewater for our oil and gas. We are starting to see signs that our advocacy efforts are paying off, as our politicians are beginning to understand the extensive benefits of a healthy oil and gas industry that many take for granted. Provincial and federal politicians, including Premier Rachel Notley and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, are finally talking about how to get major pipeline projects approved. We applaud these efforts, as everyone benefits from the extra jobs, tax revenue and spin-off economic benefits, and PSAC can take credit for helping to raise awareness by working with government on this issue. Another initiative PSAC is working on with both federal and provincial governments is well decommissioning. In this capacity, we are advocating for the government to invest in decommissioning orphan, legacy and inactive wells, facilities and pipelines. This would put our member companies and their people back to work within a few weeks, and keep the oilfield services companies and intellectual capital we have worked so hard to build intact and ready for a future economic turnaround. As PSAC President Mark Salkeld says, we don’t know what the future will look like, but there is a major transformation afoot. At PSAC, we see our role as helping member companies prepare for coming changes and how to adapt their businesses and approaches to be successful in the future. This issue of Petroleum Services News focuses on the “pathway forward,” and we share tools and methods to help our members move forward. Our feature article shares perspectives on associations, the oil and gas industry, corporate social responsibility and the future of energy. There is also a profile on Horizon Oilfield Services, a company that saw the future coming and adapted to provide new cost-savings solutions to its customers. We hope you benefit from the important information and insight in this magazine to help you make it through the downturn and adapt to future business trends.

Trevor Haynes Chair of the Board, PSAC

SUMMER 2016 VOL 16 • No.1

TION F A C U PPORTING YOUT U

PETROLEUM SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF CANADA 1150 734 7TH AVENUE SW CALGARY, AB T2P 3P8 TEL: 403.264.4195 FAX: 403.263.7174 EMAIL: info@psac.ca

UCATION ND ED

PSAC is the national trade association representing the services, supply and manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry. As the voice of the sector, PSAC advocates for its members to enable the continued innovation, technological advancement and in-the-field experience they supply to Canada’s energy explorers and producers, helping to increase efficiency, improve safety and protect the environment.

PRESIDENT AND CEO: MARK SALKELD SENIOR MANAGER, COMMUNICATIONS: MAGGIE TAYLOR

Emergency Response Assistance Canada (ERAC) Assistance d’intervention d’urgence du Canada (AIUC) Emergency Response Assistance Canada (ERAC) is built by industry for industry. ERAC is a not-for-profit, national emergency preparedness and response organization. Our Plan Participants are made up of oil and gas producers, retailers, wholesalers and carriers. ERAC responds to flammable liquid and liquefied petroleum gas road, rail and stationary tank incidents anywhere in Canada. We are the largest Transport Canada approved Emergency Response Assistance Plan provider in the country. Assistance d’intervention d’urgence du Canada (AIUC) créé par l’industrie pour l’industrie. AIUC est un organisme national de préparation et d’intervention en cas d’urgence, sans but lucratif. Les participants au plan d’intervention d’urgence sont composés des producteurs, fournisseurs, détaillants et transporteurs de produits pétroliers. AIUC répond à travers le Canada lors des incidents impliquant des gaz de pétrole liquéfié et des liquides inflammables tant sur les routes que sur les rails et les réservoirs fixes. Nous sommes le plus grand centre d’assistance pour les plans d’intervention d'urgence approuvé par Transport Canada.

For more information on ERAC, please contact us at Tel: (587) 349-5880 Fax: (403) 543-6099 Email: info@erac.org Web: www.erac.org Pour plus amples renseignements sur AIUC, s’il vous plaît communiquer avec nous à Tél: (587) 349-5880 Fax: (403) 543-6099 Courriel: info@erac.org Web: www.erac.org/fr

6 SUMMER 2016

PETROLEUM SERVICES NEWS IS PUBLISHED FOR PSAC BY VENTURE PUBLISHING INC. 10259-105 STREET, EDMONTON, AB T5J 1E3 TEL: 780.990.0839 FAX: 780.425.4921 TOLL-FREE: 1.866.227.4276 CIRCULATION@VENTUREPUBLISHING.CA

PUBLISHER: RUTH KELLY MANAGING EDITOR: LYNDSIE BOURGON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: ROBIN BRUNET, LISA CATTERALL, JULIE-ANNE CLEYN, WILLOW WHITE ART DIRECTOR: CHARLES BURKE GRAPHIC DESIGNER: ANDREW WEDMAN PRODUCTION MANAGER: BETTY FENIAK PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS: BRENT FELZIEN, BRANDON HOOVER DISTRIBUTION: KAREN REILLY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: PEGGY BOGDAN, KATHY KELLEY, DENNIS McCORMACK

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PETROLEUM SERVICES NEWS

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Celebrating 15 Years of Supporting Careers in Oil and Gas Since 2001, more than $320,000 has been disbursed in scholarships to 105+ students to encourage awareness of and careers in oil and gas. In partnership with all of our sponsors and participants, we are proud of this achievement. These scholarships assist younger Canadians in their pursuit of post-secondary education.

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PETROLEUM SERVICES NEWS

IN THE FIELD

News, notes and events from the industry

Panel Discussions Featuring President and CEO Mark Salkeld PSAC’S PRESIDENT AND CEO, MARK SALKELD, recently participated in a number of panel discussions on the industry. In March, he sat on “The Low Oil Lowdown” panel, a launch event for the 2016 Service and Supply Outlook Report. Key findings and insights from the report were shared and a panel of senior leaders, including Salkeld, shared their thoughts on how oilfield services companies can adapt to not only survive the slowdown but come out the other side stronger. Read the report at jwnenergy.com Later that month, Salkeld participated on a panel for Alberta Oil magazine’s Energy Services Breakfast on environmental technology and

innovation in the oil and gas industry. The discussion focused on how developing and deploying such technology can cut operational expenditures and/or boost revenue by selling it to producers. You can listen to the panel discussion at psac.ca/media.

PSAC Lends Support to Video on Violence Against Women

COMING EVENTS PSAC EDUCATION FUND GOLF CLASSIC July 21, 2016 Since 2001, more than $320,000 has been disbursed in scholarships to more than 100 students, encouraging awareness of, and careers in, the oil and gas sector. In partnership with all of our sponsors and participants, we are proud of this achievement. The sole fundraiser for the Education Fund is PSAC’s annual golf tournament, held at the Carnmoney Golf Club in DeWinton, Alberta. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND INSIGHTS LUNCH November 2, 2016 PSAC’s 35th anniversary celebration, including the Annual General Meeting, Insights Lunch and the 2017 Canadian Drilling Activity Forecast. Industry Insights features a keynote by Michael Cleland, 2015 Canadian Energy Person of the Year. STARS & SPURS GALA January 21, 2017 Planning is well underway for the 23rd annual event to help keep STARS in the sky.

NEW MEMBERS

Attendees at the Be More Than a Bystander video launch, including MLA Greg Kyllo, MLA Jordan Sturdy, Sarah Gowland (Encana), Jamie Tarras (BC Lions), Travis Lulay (BC Lions), Elizabeth Aquin (PSAC), Elizabeth Steele, MLA Gordie Hogg, Richard Dunn (Encana), Minister Suzanne Anton, Minister Shirley Bond, Tracy Porteous (EVABC), MLA Jackie Tegart, Minister Stephanie Cadiuex and Minister Michelle Stillwell.

PSAC IS A SUPPORTER OF THE “BE MORE THAN a Bystander” partnership, sponsored by Encana and other organizations. The partnership creates awareness and encourages everyone to break the silence on the violence against women. The partnership encourages male-dominated industries, like athletics and oil and gas, to be part of the solution. The organization’s latest initiative is a film that shows leaders in the

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sports and oil and gas sectors sharing their personal experiences and reflections on the issue of violence against women and encouraging other men to be more than bystanders – to speak up when they witness inappropriate behaviour. The “Be More Than a Bystander” film can be viewed on Shaw Video on Demand and TELUS Optik TV. For more information, visit endingviolence.org.

AS THE ENERGY INDUSTRY EXPERIENCES unprecedented change and volatility, PSAC provides an influential collective voice for the petroleum services, supply and manufacturing sector. But don’t take it from us – here’s what one of our members has to say: “PSAC does essential work, not just for the service industry but for the oil and gas sector as a whole. Thanks for all you do.” – Todd Van Vliet, President and General Counsel for Frac Shack International Inc. NEW REGULAR MEMBERS 543077 Alberta Ltd. O/a Sil Industrial Minerals Clean Harbors Energy Services, ULC OEL Projects Ltd. WISE Intervention Services Inc. NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS ACT One International Corporation Easy Next Steps RayQuest Holdings Ltd.

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1:18NEWS PM PETROLEUM2015-10-26 SERVICES

DRILLING ACTIVITY FORECAST UPDATE

Tools Down

With no improvement expected in sector activity or market access, PSAC lowers its 2016 Drilling Activity Forecast

2016 CANADIAN DRILLING ACTIVITY FORECAST (NUMBER OF WELLS)

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

ALBERTA: 1,891

SASKATCHEWAN: 940

1,000 BRITISH COLUMBIA: 317 0

MANITOBA: 162

TOTAL IN CANADA: 3,315

Note: Total includes activity in Ontario, Northern and Eastern Canada. Data provided courtesy of Industry Sponsor JuneWarren-Nickle’s Energy Group.

HE PETROLEUM SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF

Canada (PSAC) has revised the forecasted number of wells drilled (rig releases) across Canada for 2016 to 3,315, in its second update to the 2016 Canadian Drilling Activity Forecast. This represents a decrease of 1,835 wells and an approximate 36 per cent decline from PSAC’s original 2016 Drilling Activity Forecast released in early November 2015. PSAC based its updated 2016 forecast on average natural gas prices of $1.60 CDN/mcf (AECO), crude oil prices of US$35/barrel (WTI) and the Canada-U.S. exchange rate averaging $0.75. “These are dire times for the Canadian oilfield services, supply and manufacturing sector, with no indicators for positive change in the near future,” says Mark Salkeld, President and CEO of PSAC. “The last two drilling seasons were pretty much nonexistent. What a lot of people don’t realize is when the oil and gas sector is not working, oilfield services companies are tools down and there is no cash flow. This is unlike our customers, the producers, who can still generate some revenue, however dismal, from production.” He adds: “That’s why almost all of our member companies are suffering in these desperate times, and are drastically cutting costs and staff in trying to be as efficient as possible. In spite of all that, some oil and gas services companies already have, or are in danger of, closing their doors forever. Tens of thousands of workers have lost their jobs, and families are suffering as a result in rural communities across Western Canada near oil and gas fields.” On a provincial basis, PSAC now estimates 1,891 wells to be drilled in Alberta, down from 2,733 wells in the original forecast. Approximately eight per cent fewer wells are also expected to be drilled in British Columbia, with PSAC’s revised forecast now at 317 wells for the province, down from 344 in the original forecast. The revised forecast for

WWW.PSAC.CA

Saskatchewan now sits at 940 wells compared to 1,789 wells in the original forecast, and Manitoba is forecasted to see 162 wells or a decline of 118 in well count for 2016. “The lack of progress in gaining access to tidewater for our oil and gas products is hindering Canada’s growth and position on the world stage as a responsible energy developer,” says Salkeld. Through pipelines, “Canada can help other countries reduce their use of higher greenhouse gas-emitting energy sources, and help clean up the environment globally and raise the quality of life around the globe to a standard that we enjoy and take for granted here at home. “The oilfield services sector is a technology and innovation leader even in tough times, because we have to be in order to compete,” he adds. “We are resilient and we’re extremely good at what we do, and when we come out of this slump, we will be even better. It’s just that right now we are in danger of losing all of the intellectual capital and people we need to put the oil and gas services sector back to work when the economy turns around. PSAC continues to advocate for infrastructure projects like major pipelines, and for well decommissioning that will benefit the environment and put oilfield services back on the job. We need to retain the exceptional talent we have and keep all the supporting services in areas of activity across the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin for the benefit of rural communities and cities.” PSAC is the national trade association representing the services, supply and manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry. As the voice of the sector, PSAC advocates for its members to enable the continued innovation, technological advancement and in-the-field experience they supply to Canada’s energy explorers and producers, helping to increase efficiency, improve safety and protect the environment. PSAC member companies represent a significant portion of the business volume generated in the oil and gas services industry.

THE PATHWAY FORWARD The services sector must re-evaluate and adapt to move ahead during tough times BY LISA CATTERALL

12 SUMMER 2016

PETROLEUM SERVICES NEWS

NCERTAINTY FOLLOWING THE CRASH IN GLOBAL OIL

prices has led to a host of challenges for the energy sector. Low oil prices have disrupted what had once been taken for granted – a booming industry has now been turned on its head. In order to not only survive the current downturn, but map the best path forward, we need to understand how we arrived at the present situation. Now, more than a year into the downturn, experts have a strong understanding of what led the industry to this point, how it and governments have reacted, and what this might mean for the future. “When this downturn began, people predicted that the pattern would be simple: a sharp down, and a sharp up,” says Ruben Nelson, Executive Director of Foresight Canada. “It wasn’t only that there’d be an upturn but that there would be an upturn virtually the next day.” Unfortunately, that immediate correction didn’t come to pass. In fact, it hasn’t even been a U-shaped recovery. With no apparent upturn in sight, some are now considering an L-shaped future. “The problem is, we really don’t know how far the length of the bottom of

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the L is,” says Nelson. As the bottom continues to stretch along, many business and economic experts have begun to recognize and accept a new normal where uncertainty is the norm. “What we characterize as a downturn, we’ve seen it before. It’s not new,” Nelson adds. “But the surprising bit is that we’ve done nothing, institutionally, to prepare ourselves. We haven’t taken these cycles seriously enough yet to actually design institutional defences against it.” A LACK OF PREPARATION HAS LEFT MANY BUSINESSES AND ASSOCIATIONS FEELING uneasy with the significant challenges that lie ahead. “Right now, we’ve developed a culture in which there is no duty of foresight in leadership, and this is something that we need to change,” says Nelson. A perfect storm of factors – including lack of foresight, wholesale government changes, falling oil prices and the growing importance of renewable energy – has led to a challenging time for the Canadian energy industry. “Right now in Alberta we have the NDP government, which has to be educated on a whole host of things. And we also have

a [federal] Liberal government that is talking sustainability, public participation and review of projects,” says Richard Paton, President of RP Consultants and former president of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada. “So, we need to be asking how are we going to adjust to this environment? Is our role going to be different with governments? Do we have to be more active in reaching out to governments to get them to understand us?” Bob Willard, author and Founder of the consultancy firm Sustainability Advantage, argues that acknowledging the major shift that has taken place and taking the time to re-evaluate the resulting environment will allow companies to begin moving forward. “Businesses need to jump the curve – if we make a voluntary change, it can be exciting. If we’re forced, it’s a pain,” he says. “So right now, companies need to be exploring options while they still have the resources to do so.” “We’re now in a time where oil prices are changed, virtually forever, and we’re not going to be saved by an upturn. We’re going to be saved by learning to reframe the situation,” adds Nelson. But adaptation doesn’t come easy. We are hardwired as humans to oppose change, especially when that change comes at a cost. In order to move forward, businesses must move out of panic mode towards acceptance and progress. “A colleague of mine uses the phrase ‘learning the future faster,’ which means that we digest the challenges and the hurt enough to begin to look for the upside. This is what we need to do going

VUCA V: VOLATILE U: UNCERTAIN C: COMPLEX A: AMBIGUOUS VUCA IS OFTEN REFERENCED WHEN DESCRIBING the current market situation. “Each of the words in VUCA overlap in a way, but they also have distinctive features that play against each other,” says Nelson. “Uncertainty is also ambiguity, but in a world that’s volatile and complex, it means deeper trouble than a world that is merely uncertain.”

14 SUMMER 2016

forward,” says Nelson. By ‘learning the future faster,’ organizations become more agile, finding opportunity even in the most challenging situations. Taking proactive steps can not only position organizations as leaders, but can also help to alleviate some of the pain associated with change.

but governments as well, in the identification and prioritization of policies that affect the energy industry. If more sustainable, long-term approaches to energy in Canada are the priority, businesses will need to react accordingly. With this in mind, the downturn has encouraged positive growth in certain aspects of the FOR GENERATIONS, A CONSISTENTLY HIGH PRICE OF energy industry. Some businesses have used a lowoil has meant that many companies have been able er-price market to focus on what may be neglected to operate under business as usual, without sub- initiatives including increasing efficiency and stantial operational changes. But times are chang- improving environmental performance. “At a lower price for oil, there now seems to be ing: now, an increased focus on factors like the environment and corporate social responsibility much more interest in efficiency improvements is coupled with financial struggle. In order to sur- for recovery and upgrading than when the oil vive, companies will need to look at ways to inno- price was $100/barrel. At the higher price, the real vate, increase efficiencies and capitalize on oppor- goal was to get ‘steel in the ground’ and bring on new production as fast as possible. The compatunities outside of their regular scope of work. “Organizations need to be asking, ‘Is this some- nies knew they could make a profit with a given thing that we can do alone, or should we be look- technology so they tended to be highly resistant ing outside?’ ” says Paton. “This is a journey that to changes, even if the changes promised betwe can only take one step at a time. We have to rec- ter returns,” says David Layzell, Director of the Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research (CESAR) Initiative, and professor at the University of Calgary. “Now, we have a very different situation.” The slowdown has – RICHARD PATON, PRESIDENT OF RP CONSULTANTS provided an opportuognize that it’s a learning and discovery process.” nity for companies to re-examine operations and “There are lots of ways to survive, innovate identify opportunities that will increase the comand thrive. Tap into your resources and the smart petitiveness of Canada’s energy industry in the people you’ve hired. Collaborate with compet- long run. Right now, the industry has an opporitors and trade associations to find how you can tunity to be a part of a game-changing solution all do better. Partner with academic institutions that will create jobs, boost the economy and meet the demands of those concerned with the envito research possibilities,” says Willard. By collaborating with partners – and even com- ronmental impact of the oil sands. “When you face a challenge, what you need petitors – to identify opportunities, businesses stand to gain the competitive edge. Though it may to do is step back and look at it from different be untraditional, open dialogues between indus- perspectives. In doing so, one can often find innotry associations, government and other energy vative and cost-effective solutions,” says Layzell. By finding opportunities to improve busiindustry stakeholders will encourage mutually ness practices and meet the ever-changing and beneficial progress. “We need to open a dialogue with different ever-growing demands of consumers, businesses groups,” says Paton. “There’s a tendency in any in the petroleum services sector have the opporindustry association to talk to yourselves and take tunity to take initiative, acting as leaders while the a closed-in approach to finding a solution. But Canadian and global business climate adjusts. More obvious survival tactics, including diverbecause there are so many diverse players, opensification and market expansion, may be key for ness is very important.” This dialogue will assist not only businesses, some petroleum sector businesses, but thinking

“THERE’S A TENDENCY IN ANY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION TO TALK TO YOURSELVES AND TAKE A CLOSED-IN APPROACH TO FINDING A SOLUTION. BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY DIVERSE PLAYERS, OPENNESS IS VERY IMPORTANT.”

PETROLEUM SERVICES NEWS

differently about opportunities within current areas is just as important. “For petroleum services companies, there are other opportunities to look at. Municipalities or other industries might be able to use your expertise,” says Willard. “For example, geothermal energy requires drilling – so look around and see if there is any other way you can transfer your knowledge and expertise.” “You don’t only need new technologies to solve energy system challenges and changes. You just have to think about the situation differently,” echoes Layzell. So while the future might not be as easy as it once was, it is still rife with opportunity. “There is a great future out there,” says Willard. “We just need to build it.”

GREENING THE OIL SANDS DAVID LAYZELL’S WORK WITH THE CANADIAN ENERGY SYSTEMS ANALYSIS Research (CESAR) initiative focuses on energy systems analysis research, looking at the challenges and opportunities for shifting our existing energy systems towards sustainability. Recently, CESAR has identified an opportunity for companies operating in the oil sands to begin contributing significant amounts of low carbon, cost-effective power to the Alberta grid. Electricity generation in Alberta is largely thermal, created through the combustion of coal or natural gas. In thermal power generation, only 30 to 50 per cent of the energy in the fuel ends up as electricity –the rest is lost as heat. It’s inefficient, but steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is one of the very few industries that has the potential to use this waste heat, thereby increasing the efficiency (and reducing the emissions) of both electricity generation and oil sands crude production. Research at CESAR has shown how the integration of SAGD with grid power generation could reduce provincial greenhouse gas emissions by hundreds of millions of tonnes over the next 15 years, reduce the carbon footprint of oil sands crude, create opportunities for more renewables like wind and solar, and green the Alberta grid. “The big opportunity that we’re seeing, for oil sands operations especially, is to use some of the waste heat from power generation to improve the economic and environmental costs in SAGD operations,” says Layzell. By increasing cogeneration at SAGD sites, there is the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of SAGD crude to be equivalent to, or lower than, conventional oil. As Alberta moves to more environmentally friendly energy choices, businesses operating in the oil sands have an opportunity to be an important part of the solution to the challenge of climate change. “The petroleum services sector would be very much involved in implementing these technologies, so there’s definitely opportunity for this sector to play a key role in enabling this energy systems transformation,” says Layzell.

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BUSINESS MATTERS

The Right Stuff

Calgary Economic Development works to help service companies succeed at home and abroad BY ROBIN BRUNET

S RESOURCEFUL AS THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR HAS

proven to be during economic downturns, there’s nothing like a helping hand to facilitate riding out the tough times. That’s precisely what Calgary Economic Development (CED), a not-forprofit corporation funded by the City of Calgary and other levels of government, has been set up to do. CED was founded to work with business, government and community partners to position Calgary as a location of choice when attracting business investment, fostering trade and strengthening Calgary’s workforce. “We’re very much interested in supporting the oil and gas sector and identifying opportunities that might be missed, especially for service providers who might have decided to broaden their service or perhaps

16 SUMMER 2016

even expand into other regions,” says Stephen Ewart, CED’s Manager of Communications and Content. Essentially, CED links businesses with investors, advisors, industry leaders, partners and employees. “We also introduce companies to new locations, markets and customers, and this should be of interest to players in our energy industry,” says Gillian McCormack, CED’s Vice President of Trade and Investment Attraction. While Ewart notes that he and his colleagues “are only beginning to lay the foundations that will benefit the oil and gas sector,” the organization’s effectiveness in the larger business community has been proven on numerous occasions. For example, in 2014 it helped 23 organizations with their decision to relocate, stay, expand or invest further in Calgary. As a result,

PETROLEUM SERVICES NEWS

these companies created 2,379 jobs and went on to occupy 2.7 million Development as the most effective trade development group, by far.” square feet of space within the city – in turn creating opportunities for “We’ve also established strategic relationships with the Canada-China other service providers. Business Council and other bodies,” says Ewart. “By continuing to liais with PSAC, we can use these initiatives to introduce their members to WHILE THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR MAKES UP ONLY ONE COMPONENT OF CED’S SCOPE specific businesses abroad.” of interest, it’s a substantial one, and McCormack calls the Petroleum McCormack says her organization has been “galvanized by a growing Services Association of Canada (PSAC) “a valued stakeholder with whom chorus of players who have told us in no uncertain terms they want to get we’ve worked on various projects.” An example of CED’s support is its on- into new markets, and this dovetails nicely with our strengths as a liaigoing effort to help Nexen/CNOOC open doors in China for local energy son between industries in different countries.” She thinks entering new supply companies, by makmarkets is a wise strategy, ing introductions and assistconsidering the alternative, ing in building relationships which is to “reduce costs. with new strategic partners Many companies have cut and investors seeking to into the bone already. It’s vest in Canada. much preferable to topline McCormack is looking revenue.” forward to working with more energy-related companies in the near fuMoreover, she believes Alberta’s oil and gas sector is well primed to ture. “This is one of the most capital-intensive sectors today, and tradition- broaden its horizons: “We have world-class knowledge and experience, ally we’ve been focused on investment. But of late we’re pivoting more to- which many regions globally could use.” wards trade and export. I honestly believe this shift will be to our mutual But expanding or moving into new revenue streams is easier said than long-term benefit,” she says. done, especially if those streams are in foreign territory. “Businesses need The industry could benefit significantly from CED-supported trade to be export-ready,” says McCormack. “Our business development managmissions “due to the business links, agreements and overall relationship- er for the energy sector is on hand to understand exactly where a company building that these missions provide,” says Ewart. “In 2015, for example, is and what it requires. Once a needs assessment is complete, it may be a we supported 24 inbound trade and investment missions and five out- matter of coaching or establishing market connections, including matchbound missions, including trips to China, Brazil and Europe.” The year making with overseas firms – both of which we can provide.” prior, CED undertook two missions to Asia and Europe with stops in Japan, Taiwan, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and the United Kingdom. The cumulative effect of all this activity has resulted in CED becomCalgary Economic Development is located at 731 1st Street SE. ing a trusted partner of many firms. In the CED 2012 annual report, John For more information on how they can help your business, please MacDonald, President of Brimrock Group, which services the sulphur call 1-888-222-5855, visit www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com industry, wrote, “Brimrock deals with the three levels of government or email info@calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com. and international trade organizations, and considers Calgary Economic

CED SUPPORTS AN ONGOING EFFORT TO HELP NEXEN/ CNOOC OPEN DOORS IN CHINA FOR LOCAL ENERGY SUPPLY COMPANIES, MAKING INTRODUCTIONS AND ASSISTING IN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEW STRATEGIC PARTNERS.

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Over the Horizon

Horizon Oilfield Solutions is overcoming the odds during hard economic times BY WILLOW WHITE Horizon’s two primary technologies, CleanTek and ZeroE, are environmentally and economically friendly.

HEN HORIZON OILFIELD SOLUTIONS’ PRESIDENT

Josh Curlett saw the downturn coming, he turned the company’s attention away from manufacturing its existing product lines, focusing the company’s time and effort on research and development instead. This turned out to be a wise move. Since then, Horizon has taken its green technologies to the next level and the company is ready to hit the ground running with new, innovative products. Horizon provides the energy sector with cost-saving options that are environmentally friendly. “We have a mandate to save customers money while preserving the environment. Everything we do is based on that,” says Kristine McPhail, Director of Marketing and Corporate Operations at Horizon. “If a technology can’t save customers money and provide them a means to reduce their carbon footprint, we don’t pursue it.” Until recently, Horizon had two primary patented technologies: CleanTek, a solarhybrid light tower, and CleanSteam, a wastewater dehydrator. Now, thanks to Curlett’s quick thinking, the company has focused its most recent efforts on developing the next generation of these technologies – the CleanTek ll and ZeroE (an emissions-free CleanSteam) – which they are currently in the process of launching. The CleanTek is, at its most rudimentary level, a mobile lighting system that runs on a combination of solar power, lithium ion batteries and a generator, all managed by a custom software package. The generator kicks in only when the solar power stored in the batteries has run low. In this way, solar power is the prime energy source while the generator acts as a battery range extender, in much the same way that new battery-powered cars, like the Tesla, use an engine as a battery range extender. Not simply a “solar-only” light tower, the CleanTek solar-hybrid functions like a standard light tower with the ability to power anything from a small computer to large wellsite shacks.

CleanSteam, and the new ZeroE, is designed to attach to drilling rigs as it separates wastewater from clean water, so that only clean water vapor is sent into the atmosphere. “Because we significantly reduce CO2 emissions with both the technologies, it’s an extra incentive to get customers to partner with us.” says McPhail. “For example, a fleet of our CleanTek solar-hybrid light towers could provide up to several hundred thousand dollars of carbon credits depending on the size of the fleet being utilized on a customer’s project.”

“IF A TECHNOLOGY CAN’T SAVE CUSTOMERS MONEY AND PROVIDE THEM A MEANS TO REDUCE THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT, WE DON’T PURSUE IT.” – KRISTINE MCPHAIL, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND CORPORATE OPERATIONS AT HORIZON OILFIELD SOLUTIONS

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Currently, Horizon has offices and manufacturing facilities in Calgary and Fort St. John, B.C., with a field team that operates out of Edson, Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray in Alberta. More recently, the company set its sights on other markets and it intends to go global. When it comes to the bottom line, McPhail assures potential customers that Horizon’s technology will save them both time and money: “Normally when you develop green technology it’s more expensive or more complex which can create a barrier to market acceptance – people just want to do it the same way they’ve always done it. We have become experts at imagining, developing, patenting, manufacturing and marketing all of these products that save real dollars, reduce operational costs, provide substantial environmental savings and basically operate the same as the status quo products our technology is replacing,” she says.

PETROLEUM SERVICES NEWS

PSAC Member Companies Step Up to Help Fort McMurray

S THIS STORY IS BEING WRITTEN, DEVASTATING

wildfires continue to burn in the Fort McMurray area. Many communities remain under an evacuation order and residents will not be able to return home until June 1, at the earliest, in a phased re-entry dependent on key conditions. It’s an unimaginably difficult situation that has captured the hearts and minds of Albertans, Canadians and the world. Some of our member oil and gas services companies work in the area and are on the front lines of the emergency – offering equipment, emergency supplies and a helping hand to those who need it. They are doing everything from delivering fuel and food to stranded motorists, to feeding first responders at BBQs, to offering housing and camp accommodations. Many of our members are inventorying and preparing heavy equipment, and will be ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice once the Alberta

government advises on how best to organize operational assistance. PSAC and its member companies proudly and tirelessly support every effort we can to help Fort McMurray’s families and businesses recover. We are working with our sister associations — CAPP, CAODC, EPAC, CEPA and OSCA — on a coordinated response called EnergyTogether to organize our emergency, safety, volunteer and overall relief efforts. EnergyTogether has a Red Cross portal for individual and small company donations related to the oil and gas industry that we are proud to say has raised more than $230,000 for Alberta Wildlife Relief.

The Petroleum Services Association of Canada is the national trade association representing the service, supply and manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry. As the voice of Canada’s petroleum service, supply and manufacturing sector, PSAC advocates for its members to enable the continued innovation, technological advancement and in-the-field experience they supply to Canada’s energy explorers and producers, helping to increase efficiency, improve safety and protect the environment. PSAC member companies represent a significant portion of the business volume generated in the petroleum services industry.

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Calgary: (403) 228-4337 ext. 221 • Edmonton: (780) 990-0839 ext. 265 Email: sales@venturepublishing.ca 000PSN-PSAC-1_2H.indd 1

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2016-05-19 9:45 AM

PSAC IN ACTION THE PETROLEUM SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF CANADA CONTINUES TO KEEP THE SERVICES, SUPPLY AND MANUFACTURING SECTORS FRONT AND CENTRE THROUGH ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH PSAC CONNECTS WITH GOVERNMENT PSAC held successful Outreach Days in Edmonton, with David McHattie, Tenaris Global Services (Canada) Inc.; PSAC’s Patrick Delaney and Elizabeth Aquin; Wally Dumont, Clean Harbors Energy and Industrial Services; Ian McConnell, Core Laboratories; Mark Salkeld, President and CEO of PSAC; the Honourable Margaret McQuaig-Boyd, Minister of Energy and Tom Whalen, Baker Hughes Canada.

PROVINCIAL ALBERTA • PSAC holds successful Outreach Days initiative in Edmonton: Members of the Board of Directors and PSAC senior executives met with more than 40 ministers, MLAs and senior government officials and staff during government Outreach Days in April and received over 50 MLAs at the reception. These results demonstrate the success of PSAC’s efforts to be the recognized voice of the oil and gas services sector. The Association’s objective was to educate the Alberta government about our sector, environmental performance, technology and innovation, and our exports. We recommended two major ways in which the provincial government could assist the oil and gas services sector— tidewater access and well decommissioning—and garnered much support for both. “This shows how PSAC is fighting for us,” says Mark K. McNeill, President of Stream-Flo Industries. “I think it does a great job of demonstrating the impact the oil and gas sector has on the provincial and federal economy, the state the industry is currently in and some solutions that could put the industry’s employees back to work,” adds Tim Braun, President and CEO of High Arctic Energy Services Inc. • Other advocacy highlights: • Roundtable on Alberta’s budget with Premier Rachel Notley and Finance Minister Joe Ceci. • Roundtable with Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd and Economic Development & Trade Minister Deron Bilous. • Met with Finance Minister Joe Ceci on PSAC’s budget proposal. • Met with Brian Topp, the Premier’s Chief of Staff, on PSAC’s budget proposal.

20 SUMMER 2016

• Met with Andre Corbould, Deputy Minister, Environment and Parks. • Met with Mike Ekelund, Assistant Deputy Minister, Resource Revenue and Operations Division, Energy, and Matthew Foss, Chief Energy Economist, on royalty calculations. • Met with Leann Wagner, Assistant Deputy Minister, Labour, on the upcoming labour legislation review. • Raising the profile of PSAC members with government Arranged a tour of member company Stream-Flo’s facility with Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd and MLAs Kim Schreiner (Red DeerNorth) and Barb Miller (Red Deer-South). Minister McCuaig-Boyd met with employees to gather their input on the royalty review and carbon pricing. FEDERAL • PSAC budget submission: A recommendation for $500 million in infrastructure funds for well decommissioning was made. Discussions have been positive and are ongoing. PSAC successfully advocated for both equal funding to reserve schools and investing in natural gas infrastructure such as refueling stations. • Met with NRCan on the state of the oil and gas services sector and our proposal for well decommissioning. • Met with The Honourable Douglas Black, Senator for Alberta, on PSAC’s well decommissioning proposal. • Met with The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, on PSAC’s well decommissioning proposal. • Roundtable with Minister of Natural Resources James Carr and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna: Representatives from PSAC’s Board of Directors and senior staff discussed the

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HEALTH AND SAFETY

current state of industry issues, including the impacts of the current economic downturn and lack of tidewater access. PSAC also pressed the government to support its well decommissioning proposal to put members back to work.

• The Health and Safety Committee continues to work on issues related to the lost time claim rate among PSAC membership, and is focusing on claims resulting from slips, trips and falls. A membership survey is being conducted to determine what best practices members have in place to help reduce these incidents in the workplace. • PSAC has been working with members that provide pressure pumping and well testing services, on a submission to WorkSafeBC for changes to the current regulations. • PSAC is participating in reviews being conducted by Transport Canada into the TOG Regulations covering the use of small and large means of containment. The Association will also be participating in the committee set up by the federal TOG General Policy Advisory Council to make recommendations on achieving national uniformity in delivering emergency response.

Representatives from PSAC at the roundtable discussion with Minister of Natural Resources James Carr and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna.

• Met with Judith Andrew, federal Employment Insurance Commissioner, to request an extension to the Work Sharing program on behalf of PSAC members, to discuss PSAC’s well decommissioning proposal to get our members back to work and EI benefits. • PSAC’s advocacy efforts in requesting an extension of the federal Work-Sharing Program have been successful, resulting in an extension of the program from 38 to 76 weeks for companies that are affected by the downturn in the commodities sector across Canada. • Upcoming: PSAC to hold Federal Outreach Days on May 31 and June 1, to advocate for tidewater access and well decommissioning for the sector.

• PSAC and Enform made a presentation to a recent meeting of the Regional Partners on using WCB claims data to develop and drive initiatives aimed at reducing incidents and injuries in the service sector of the industry. • PSAC is participating in a review of the industry’s Drug and Alcohol Policy Model.

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INTERNATIONAL In February, PSAC participated in a mature fields mission to Mexico and Colombia to explore and identify opportunities for PSAC members internationally. The presentations PSAC made raised awareness of the broad areas of expertise PSAC members offer and provided a single point of contact for foreign entities to reach out to for more information. • MEXICO: At the Mature Fields Commercial Seminar, PSAC presented on the varied services our members can provide. At the Pan American Mature Fields Congress, PSAC presented on the abilities of member companies and participated in roundtable discussions on partnerships and how to maximize production.

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• COLOMBIA: PSAC was given information on the overall market, financing services, how to do business in Colombia and mature field opportunities. PSAC also visited the National Hydrocarbons Agency, Ecopetrol and the Colombian Chamber of Petroleum Goods and Services (CAMPETROL). The Association participated in a series of one-on-one meetings and fielded requests for follow-up meetings and introductions.

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PHOTO: CNBC.COM

COMMUNITY MATTERS

A Shoulder to Lean On

A NEW SUPPORT GROUP HELPS LAID-OFF OIL AND GAS WORKERS DURING TOUGH TIMES BY JULIE-ANNE CLEYN

HEN KELLY BANUSH’S PHONE RANG AT 3 A.M.

one morning last January, she wasn’t sure what to expect. On the other line, Banush, who lives in Brooks, Alberta, heard a crying friend who couldn’t afford to buy groceries for her family. Her husband had been laid off, yet they still didn’t qualify for the food bank and other social services because of the money he had earned previously. In Brooks, the average number of EI recipients rose 172 per cent between November 2014 and November 2015. Many who work in the oil and gas industry are struggling to meet their basic needs during this economic downturn. What’s more, they don’t all qualify for help. Banush’s friend’s husband,

22 SUMMER 2016

for example, was a contractor, and services like the food bank request a bill slip – contractors don’t have that paperwork because they don’t complete it until the end of the year. There’s a group for everything, Banush thought to herself, but there’s no group to help oilfield people. Normally, it’s presumed that oilfield workers don’t need one, but now many are faced with deciding between buying groceries or filling their vehicles with fuel to drive to medical appointments. In response to these tough decisions, Banush started a non-profit organization for oil families called Oil People Helping Oil People (OPHOP). OPHOP provides struggling families with grocery and gas gift cards and

PETROLEUM SERVICES NEWS

prescription cost assistance. The fuel cards allow oilfield workers to drive to other areas for interviews, retraining and medical appointments, for example, and the prescription cost assistance helps them pay for medication when they lose their benefits. OPHOP currently serves the Newell region, which includes the city of Brooks, the town of Bassano and the villages of Duchess and Rosemary, but Banush is hoping to create a sustainable model that can be rolled out to other communities across the province. “There are so many people, like [in] Grande Prairie and Red Deer, on our Facebook page that need help,” says Curtis Harding, Industry Liaison at OPHOP, of the need to expand beyond the Newell region. Harding also notes that many who need the help don’t want to ask for it: “Nobody that’s worked for 33 years wants to tell you ‘I’ve been off work for eight months and I need to go get a card for food because I couldn’t feed my family,’” he says. OPHOP’s volunteer team, which include a local lawyer, a visual communications artist, an accountant and several business advisors, is applying for charitable status and has recently achieved society status. The

team is confident it will be easier to receive donations once it has gained charitable status. Still, Harding is encouraged to see that, lately, donations have increased. Harding notes that many think oilfield workers should have just saved their money in preparation for a downturn, but he insists tons of them did – they saved six months’ worth of living expenses as the government advises. But “right now, six months isn’t enough,” he says. “People [have] six months saved away but they don’t have seven, or eight or nine.” Once those who have benefited from the service do return to work, Harding is confident they’ll give back. OPHOP believes generosity from individuals and industry will eventually help the organization sustain itself.”

“NOBODY THAT’S WORKED FOR 33 YEARS WANTS TO TELL YOU ‘I’VE BEEN OFF WORK FOR EIGHT MONTHS AND I NEED TO GO GET A CARD FOR FOOD BECAUSE I COULDN’T FEED MY FAMILY.’ ” – CURTIS HARDING, INDUSTRY LIAISON AT OPHOP

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GET INVOLVED Interested donors, or anyone seeking advice, should visit OPHOP’s website: www.helpingoilpeople.org

ENERGY ADVOCATE

It Takes a Village A NEW ALLIANCE WILL OFFER MORE THAN LOANS TO ASSIST THE OILPATCH BY ELSIE ROSS

T WILL TAKE A TEAM EFFORT TO HELP ALBERTA OIL AND NATURAL

gas companies get through the current downturn, but governmentbacked organizations are there to help. “Getting through these turbulent times is going to be a team effort and by working together we can help Alberta businesses emerge stronger than in the present situation,” says Laura Didyk, Vice-President, Finance and Consulting, Alberta South, for the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Didyk spoke at a Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC)−sponsored forum this spring.

24 SUMMER 2016

PETROLEUM SERVICES NEWS

Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, ATB Business Solutions and BDC have formed an alliance − Partnering to Enhance Access to Capital and Support (PEACS) − to help companies to succeed, grow and diversify with access to capital and loans, business and technical services and expertise. The partnership will build on the members’ existing supports and programs to develop initiatives for small and medium-sized Alberta businesses in the areas of innovation, export development, delivery of co-ordinated business services, collaborative solutions for enhanced venture capital and other financing challenges. “Once you are into one of us, you are going to be into all of us − that’s what we committed to do and you are going to get that help and we are going to be held accountable,” says Ed Straw, Vice-President of Strategic Business Solutions for ATB Financial Business. “Hope is not a strategy,” he added. “We are not going to be able to do anything in this province if we simply sit back and wait for things to happen. “What this partnership wants to really prove is that there is hope of finding new market opportunities and doing innovation and really getting the capital that you need to drive your business forward and change what you are doing.” The critical needs in Alberta are for new market opportunities,

innovation funding and access to capital, Straw says. Alberta is the most innovative province in Canada and probably one of the best jurisdictions in the world for stepping up and being entrepreneurial and making innovation happen. “We just need to work a lot better to make sure that it does happen,” Straw says. “We are telling all our clients in Alberta that when the times get rough, one of the best strategies is to have a long-term view,” says Didyk from BDC. “With times a little slower, this is the time to take the time to breathe, to find new areas and to capitalize on your strengths. We recommend not getting defensive and taking drastic action that will hurt you later.” BDC research has shown that diversification is the best way to grow a stronger and more resilient business during tough economic times, she says. That involves avoiding reliance on a single client, developing multiple products and service lines, operating in more than one sector, having clients with a physical presence in more than one city and selling internationally. Technology funding from different sources can range from a $5,000 micro-voucher to millions of dollars for commercialization.

BDC RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT DIVERSIFICATION IS THE BEST WAY TO GROW A STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT BUSINESS DURING TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES.

WWW.PSAC.CA

This article has been edited and originally appeared in the Daily Oil Bulletin.

ENERGY ADVOCATE Shaye Anderson, MLA for Leduc-Beaumont, proposed using local oil service firms to make the Living Energy Project’s solar systems.

Working Together THE LIVING ENERGY PROJECT SHOWCASES AN INNOVATIVE FUTURE

N APRIL 22, 2016, THE LEDUC #1 ENERGY DISCOVERY sun-tracking solar-powered unit and a wind turbine mounted on an oil Centre launched the $1.4-million Living Energy Project. The rig derrick. project will convert an abandoned oil well, enabling it to capture The Living Energy Project will feature live geo, solar, wind, oil and geothermal energy − a first in Canada – and help the Centre become the gas energy production. Touch or voice commands will tell the system to world’s first carbon-neutral oil museum. This project creates a platform for perform tasks like storing power, give more heat and turn off the lights. At future energy system innovations. its heart is an ultra-smart energy operations system, featuring gas-fuelled “The Living Energy Project advanced combined heat highlights the diversity, and power technology. This innovation and ingenuity of hydrocarbons-renewables the Canadian energy industry bridging technology, invented and shows off the continuing for Leduc #1, includes the development of all energy first deployment in Canada of resources, using renewables to hybrid-inverter Alternating help move us from the past to Current (AC)-Direct Current – MARK SALKELD, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF PSAC the future,” says Mark Salkeld, (DC) technology. President and CEO of PSAC. Oil and gas services firms play a key role in the Living Energy Project. The Opened in 1997, the Centre commemorates the historic discovery of oil at solar systems are being made by a Nisku-based, First Nations−owned oil the Leduc #1 well and showcases Canada’s oil and gas industry to the world. services company, and the wind turbine-derrick system is made by a Calgary There are historical energy industry displays − including the world’s largest oilpatch steel firm. Inspired by Leduc #1, these services firms have pivoted to drill bit − and renewable energy features including North America’s largest successfully produce and market renewables during this downturn.

“THE LIVING ENERGY PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS THE DIVERSITY, INNOVATION AND INGENUITY OF THE CANADIAN ENERGY INDUSTRY AND SHOWS OFF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF ALL ENERGY RESOURCES, USING RENEWABLES TO HELP MOVE US FROM THE PAST TO THE FUTURE.”

26 SUMMER 2016

PETROLEUM SERVICES NEWS

Stay in the game, know your options. Creating and protecting value in a downturn market means knowing how to leverage your options. Whether you need to buy, sell, fund or fix your company, we help you see beyond immediate challenges to ensure you stay in the game and giving you the confidence to make the right decision at the right time. Here’s how we can help: —

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