2015 01 09 Oil Sands

Commentary – Room for Optimism (and Spending) in the Oil Sands

Source: www.Dreamstimes.com © Jewhyte

Source: www.Dreamstimes.com © Jewhyte

Despite the weak oil price, Canada’s oil sands will keep expanding. The milestones announced in today’s news demonstrate that fact, with Surmont 2 producing first oil and the next phase of Sunrise starting steaming operations. But do not be fooled into thinking that the oil sands are immune to the low oil price. They are just slower to react. Read more

2015 08 18 Not 1986

Commentary – Not 1986

A replica of the Back to the Future DeLorean is shown at the Cars of the Hollywood Screen car show. Source: www.dreamstime.com © ecadphoto

A replica of the Back to the Future DeLorean is shown at the Cars of the Hollywood Screen car show. Source: www.dreamstime.com © ecadphoto

The headlines say that we have seen this kind of collapse before. With the benchmark US oil price (WTI) nearing the $US 40/B floorboard, wide spread pessimism is taking root with a growing number of voices associating this downturn with the sickly era circa 1986. Read more

2015 08 05 Natural Gas Pipeline Crunch

Commentary – Natural Gas Pipeline Crunch – An Early Warning Sign

Source: www.dreamstime.com © Ryjkov

Source: www.dreamstime.com © Ryjkov

When a patient gets a diagnosis – such as high cholesterol – it is an early warning sign that they should take proactive measures to reduce the chances of getting a blockage. Likewise, the temporary crunch in Western Canada’s regional natural gas pipeline system is an early indicator that these energy arteries should not be ignored.

Read more

Funnel Cloud.jpg large

Commentary – Dark Days for Black Gold

Source: ARC Financial

Photo: ARC Financial

Some used to call it Black Gold.

Back in the good ‘ol days of John Wayne, crude oil gushing from a well was a thing of value. These days, neither the black stuff nor gold is worth much. Both commodities have been clobbered in the market; oil down 50% from last year’s average; gold down 20% from 2014 highs. But it doesn’t end there. Other valuable natural resources like iron ore, nickel, and copper, have been thrashed by double-digit price drops too. Read more