Without doubt, it’s the greatest industrial success story this country has enjoyed in the past half-century. That’s probably why so many people would like to shut it down.
We’re talking about the Alberta oilsands, which has repeatedly beaten overwhelming odds for more than a century to become the leading cumulative corporate contributor to provincial and federal tax coffers, thereby providing oodles of cash to support all types of social programs so many of us enjoy.
This is not something you dare mention in polite society, of course. Because the oilsands are dirty — pulling massive amounts of bitumen from the northern muskeg isn’t an endeavour where white gloves are deemed de rigueur. So, the mining itself along with its eventual end product could in no way be tagged with some virtuous, green-energy badge of honour.
That’s why a most notable milestone a few weeks ago was afforded barely a nod of recognition in this country. Even here in Alberta, it passed rather quietly.
According to the Alberta Energy Regulator, the province’s oil production rose above four million barrels a day for the first time in November.
The vast majority of those 4.16 million daily barrels came from the oilsands, where companies are now ramping up production to fill the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion that’s due to start up this year, providing capacity for another 590,000 barrels to export across the Pacific. (I’m not holding my breath, given that project’s history. But in the oil business, fortune favours the brave.)
The upshot of this boost in production is that a single province in Canada (that being us) is now the fifth-largest oil producer in the world, after the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iraq. Add in additional production from Saskatchewan and Newfoundland, and Canada moves into fourth place.
Yet, we are not proud of this. The energy industry is akin to that rogue uncle the family disowned long ago, but still insists on embarrassing everyone at every opportunity.
Having a soft spot for rogues, I consider the development of the oilsands — back in 1921 when Karl Clark began testing bitumen extraction methods at the U of A — as a wonderful Canadian success story: one that should be celebrated. It shows what can be done despite the challenging climate, the bruising politics of a vast, federated land and the inherent volatility of the energy business itself.
For a few years, the head honchos of the various oilsands businesses, encouraged by the Alberta government, would invite certain celebrities to visit Fort McMurray and tour their operations, hoping not for support but at least for some small word of understanding. All they got in return was dismissive condescension and ultimate condemnation.
Frankly, it served them right for pandering to such folk — let’s face it, the CEO of Suncor won’t be asked to tour Disney’s studios in Burbank, Calif., to give his opinion about the latest adaptation of Snow White, so why should we care what Leonardo DiCaprio thinks about bitumen extraction?
Such bended-knee snivelling seems to have abated along with those embarrassing invitations to folk who think in situ must refer to some latest fashion trend or a potentially profitable property makeover.
The climate is changing: if I can use such a slightly naughty turn of phrase. Not in Hollywood, but across this country. Canadians haven’t had a come-to-bitumen moment, but they have had a cost-of-living epiphany.
And suddenly, green policy is about as popular as that same colour on two-week-old cheddar.
Of course, such folk won’t suddenly love the oilsands — finding it on a map is beyond their grasp — but at least they won’t demand it be shuttered to somehow save the world.
So, raise a glass to Canada, Alberta and those men and women who believed for so long that this daunting resource could eventually be harvested to make all our lives better.
Cheers.
Chris Nelson is a regular Herald columnist.
Nelson: Alberta oilsands deserve our thanks and respect
6
1
18.01.2024
Without doubt, it’s the greatest industrial success story this country has enjoyed in the past half-century. That’s probably why so many people would like to shut it down.
We’re talking about the Alberta oilsands, which has repeatedly beaten overwhelming odds for more than a century to become the leading cumulative corporate contributor to provincial and federal tax coffers, thereby providing oodles of cash to support all types of social programs so many of us enjoy.
This is not something you dare mention in polite society, of course. Because the oilsands are dirty — pulling massive amounts of bitumen from the northern muskeg isn’t an endeavour where white gloves are deemed de rigueur. So, the mining itself along with its eventual end product could in no way be tagged with some virtuous, green-energy badge of honour.
That’s why a most notable milestone a few weeks ago was afforded barely a nod of recognition in this country. Even here in Alberta, it passed rather quietly.
........
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