Alberta

Provincial Government aggressively pursuing an upgrader for Alberta

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3 weeks ago

Duane Rolheiser

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From the Province of Alberta

Oil upgrading proposals worth billions

Premier Rachel Notley’s made-in-Alberta energy upgrading strategy is a step closer to creating thousands of jobs and attracting billions of dollars in private sector investment while keeping more value in the province.

Six project proposals are being considered for investment in partial upgrading of oil sands bitumen. These proposals are collectively worth nearly $5 billion of new private sector investment and could create almost 10,000 construction jobs with 500 more jobs during operations.

“For decades, Albertans have been talking about getting more for our oil by upgrading more here at home. We’re taking action to make that a reality. By supercharging energy upgrading in Alberta, we can create more jobs and open more markets to finally get top dollar for our resources.”
Rachel Notley, Premier

Partial upgrading is an emerging technology that reduces the thickness of oil sands bitumen so it can flow through pipelines more easily, without having to be blended with diluent. This provides significant cost savings to industry, increases pipeline capacity by up to 30 per cent, and provides access to more refineries around the world.

“We’re kick-starting a new era of energy diversification in Alberta. These strong proposals show companies want to make big investments and create opportunities in our province. Our made-in-Alberta energy upgrading strategy is a win for energy producers and a win for all Albertans.”

Margaret McCuaig-Boyd, Minister of Energy

These opportunities were made possible through the Energy Diversification Act, introduced in March 2018. The government committed up to $1 billion in incentives to help leverage billions more in private investment to build partial upgrading facilities.

The government will review the short list of proposed projects for their economic viability and how they demonstrate the best possible value for Albertans while meeting the province’s world-leading plan to do the right thing for the environment. Discussions will begin with the companies in the coming weeks.

Background

Partial upgrading reduces the thickness of oil sands bitumen so it can flow through pipelines more easily, without having to be blended with diluent. This not only reduces significant industry costs for diluent but also increases the volume of bitumen that can be shipped through pipelines by up to 30 per cent, making Alberta’s industry more competitive and enabling more refineries to process Alberta’s bitumen products.

Partial upgrading is one of the initiatives supported through the Energy Diversification Act. The government will commit to $1 billion in incentives for partial upgrading over eight years beginning in 2019-20, which will include a variety of fiscal tools including loan guarantees and grants.

Premier Notley recently doubled support for petrochemical upgrading, which was also made possible under the act. Total investment will now reach $2.1 billion to help create as many as 15,500 jobs during construction of multiple petrochemical facilities across the province. Once operational, another 1,000 jobs could be created with private-sector investment expected to reach $20.6 billion.

The made-in-Alberta energy upgrading strategy builds on the government’s earlier work to create jobs, develop new markets and add more value to Alberta’s resources within the province.

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Duane Rolheiser

Alberta

Alberta Country Music Awards announces 2018 Finalists

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34 mins ago

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December 11th, 2018 (Edmonton, AB) – The Association of Country Music in Alberta (ACMA)™ is pleased to present your Final Nominees for the upcoming 2018 Alberta Country Music Awards™ presented by Stingray.

Winners will be announced at the 7th annual awards gala on January 27, 2019 at the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel (3310 50 Ave).

The evening will be hosted by Albertan country singer/songwriter and CCMA-winner Aaron Goodvin

“I am incredibly honoured to have been asked to host The ACMA’s in Red Deer this year. There is so much great Canadian country music that comes out of Alberta. I literally cannot wait to host my first ever awards show and I’m excited for it to be in my home province!” – Aaron Goodvin

Canadian country music fans are well acquainted with Goodvin’s music after winning the2018 Canadian Country Music Award (CCMA) for “Songwriter(s) of the Year” for his platinum single “Lonely Drum”. Goodvin was also nominated for the “Single of the Year”, and “SiriusXM Rising Star Award”.

Also a Warner/Chappell songwriter, Goodvin has landed cuts with Luke Bryan, Canaan Smith, Cole Swindell, and others. He was recently signed to Reviver Records in Nashville and fans can expect new music in 2019.

The 2018 ACMA™ awards weekend will occur on January 26 and 27. Events include the kick-off party, conference, seminars, fan fest, and the much-anticipated awards gala. Members of the ACMA™ have the privilege of voting to select the nominees for each category. The final round of voting to select the award-winners ends December 28, 2018.

Tickets and more information about the ACMA™ Awards Weekend are available on the ACMA Website

Without further ado, the nominees are:

Male Artist of the Year
Brad Saunders
Dan Davidson
Drew Gregory
Karac Hendriks
Ryan Langlois
Trevor Panczak

Female Artist of the Year
Alee
Andrea Nixon
Krissy Feniak
Lauren Mayell
Michela Sheedy

Group/Duo of the Year
Nice Horse
Renegade Station
The Dungarees
The Orchard
The Prairie States

Fans Choice
Dan Davidson
Drew Gregory
Hailey Benedict
Megan Dawson
Renegade Station
The Prairie States

Industry Person of the Year
Angie Morris – Sirroma Entertainment
Bill Borgwardt Performance Photography
Carla Hackman – Sakamoto Entertainment
Carly Klassen – Alberta Music
Johnny Gasparic – MCC Recording Studio
Sarah Scott – Golden West Radio

Musician of the Year
Johnny Gasparic
Josh Ruzycki
Lisa Dodd
Mitch Jay
Weston Blatz

Album of the Year
Along for the Ride – Renegade Station
Good Place to Start – Drew Gregory
Lost in the Right Direction – The Prairie States
Songs For Georgia – Dan Davidson
This Road is Mine – Karac Hendriks

Song of the Year
“Don’t Hold Back” – Written by: James Murdoch & Darren Gusnowsky
Performed by: The Dungarees
“Know Good” – Written by: Drew Gregory, Trinity Bradshaw, Brad Stella
Performed by: Drew Gregory
“Light > Dark” – Written by: Ryan Langlois & Duane Steele
Performed by: Ryan Langlois
“Mansplainin’” – Written by: Brandi Sidoryk, Tareya Green, Katie Biever, Jeff Dalziel
Performed by: Nice Horse
“Safe Harbour” – Written by: Kent Nixon, Luanne Carl, Doug Folkins
Performed by: Renegade Station

Single of the Year
“Don’t Hold Back” – The Dungarees
“Know Good” – Drew Gregory
“Play it By Beer” – Brad Saunders
“This Road is Mine” – Karac Hendriks
“Who’s Gonna Love Me Tonight” – Renegade Station

Country Venue of the Year
Boot Scootin Boogie Dancehall
Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall

Talent Buyer of the Year
Big Valley Jamboree
Calgary Stampede
Country Thunder
Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall
Sakamoto Agency

Rising Star
Karac Hendriks
Lauren Mayell
Nice Horse
The Prairie States
Trevor Panczak

Radio Station of the Year
93.1 The One Leduc
Wild 95.3 Calgary
Real Country 95.5 Red Deer
96.5 CKFM Olds
103.9 CISN FM Edmonton

Horizon Youth
Hailey Benedict
Krissy Feniak
Jonah Langlois
Hannah Gazso
Martina Dawn

Entertainer of the Year
Aaron Goodvin
Brett Kissel
Gord Bamford
Lindsay Ell
Paul Brandt

Video of the Year
“Don’t Hold Back” – The Dungarees
“Know Good” – Drew Gregory
“Let’s Go There” – Dan Davidson
“Mansplainin'” – Nice Horse
“Who’s Gonna Love Me Tonight” – Renegade Station

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Alberta

Alberta Government looking for refinery partners

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1 hour ago

Duane Rolheiser

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Premier Notley greets members of the Building Trades of Alberta while announcing a new Expression of Interest for refining in the province.

From the Province of Alberta

Premier seeking industry interest in oil refining

In response to strong industry encouragement, Alberta is taking action to explore interest from the private sector in building a new oil refinery in the province.

As part of a made-in-Alberta strategy to get more value for our energy resources, Premier Rachel Notley announced the government is issuing a Request for Expression of Interest to determine business cases for investing in a new refinery in Alberta or tied to Alberta production.

“For decades, Albertans have been talking about getting more value for our oil here at home. So let’s stop the talk, end the decades of dreaming and start making more of the products the world needs here at home. It’s time to grab the bull by the horns and to do more refining and upgrading that adds value and creates jobs here. The future is coming and it will be made in Alberta.”
Rachel Notley, Premier

Building a new refinery would create good-paying, long-term jobs for Albertans. New refining capacity would also help lower the oil price differential over the long term, protecting the province from a lack of capacity to export oil, and making sure we get full value for the energy resources owned by all Albertans.

“Large industrial value-add energy investments help provide economic resilience and diversification, and create highly skilled, well-paying jobs for decades. Alberta has abundant feedstock, skilled labour and the ability to refine our resources to high-value products the world needs. There is significant international competition for these projects and for Alberta to compete, government and industry must work together. We commend the government’s focus on ensuring that the value of Alberta’s resources stays with Albertans.”
David Chappell, chair, Resource Diversification Council

“Building Trades of Alberta has always believed you should refine it where you mine it. By doing that, you maximize the value of our resources for the people of Alberta, while creating good jobs for skilled trades workers in our province. We thank the government for exploring new options for refining and upgrading here in Alberta.”
Terry Parker, executive director, Building Trades of Alberta

“The work of the Energy Diversification Advisory Committee was focused on securing Alberta’s future in a more diversified oil and gas sector. It’s good to see another action that builds on Alberta’s strengths, including a highly skilled workforce and world-class resources. This is another sign the government is focused on made-in-Alberta solutions to ensure Alberta’s energy economy is built to last.”
Jeanette Patell & Gil McGowan, co-chairs, Energy Diversification Advisory Committee

Projects must have a strong return on investment for Albertans. Any proposed facility will consume Alberta-produced oil feedstock and produce marketable refined products.

The government will consider interest in new greenfield investments or an expansion of facilities at an existing brownfield site. Submissions will be accepted until Feb. 8, 2019, with the results helping inform next steps that may include issuing a Request for Proposals to construct a new refinery.

Companies will be required to submit their engineering design and technical feasibility, project timing and execution plan, plans for sales points and transportation to market, participation of Indigenous communities, expected environmental performance, financing to complete the project, and identification and estimates of revenues to benefit Albertans.

Expressions of Interest have been used in the past to obtain industry and public suggestions on major projects and how the government can utilize existing interest to maximize the value for Albertans.