Brian Crossman is a partner in Estevan-based Independent Well Servicing. The opinions expressed in this column are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of Independent Well Servicing.
Well, here we are. We managed to get through Christmas. (It was f—ing cold!) The snow, while good for farmers, kids with toboggans and people who move snow to make extra cash, not so good for my arthritis. But fortunately for us Canadians, we have an energy industry that not only provides the fuel to keep us warm and cozy, we can all benefit financially from as well. That right there is a “win-win.” That is unless of course you share the opinion of the current federal government. Then we don’t need to be warm and cozy, not to mention having the ability to drive somewhere warm. No worries though, you can always take the company jet to Jamaica. Atta boy JT…..
But what will happen over the next twelve months? How does one prepare for events yet to transpire? Luckily for ya’ll, I will once again attempt to predict what going to happen in 2023. I tried this last year, with, uh mixed results. So once again, with the help of the “Fantasmical Prognostication Machine” AKA, my management decision making device AKA, my “Magic Eight Ball TM” we shall give it a whirl.
#1. WTI oil price- “will it continue to rise?” The eight ball gave me the “AS I SEE IT YES” last year. What really happened; December 2021 WTI average price was $75.21. It currently sits around $75.00. Commodity prices were all over the map this past year, due in large part to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Some people have called this a “Black Swan” event, but my Ukrainian friends tell me this war started in 2014 with the take-over of the Crimea, and finally expanded rapidly in February. Can’t really make jokes about this as it has ripped families apart and created chaos on a global scale.
I gave the eight-ball a good shake, and ask the oil price question, and it tells me “OUTLOOK HAZY”, which makes sense. I feel prices will remain stable for the most part, due to demand being steady and low strategic reserves in the U.S.A.
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#2. COVID-19 – “Will it get better?” “SIGNS POINT TO YES” was the answer to this question. If people would just eat and exercise properly, take their vitamins, stay hydrated, wash their hands and stay home when sick, COVID would be less of a problem than it has been. If wearing a mask makes you feel better, then by all means wear one. Unless you are in your car all by yourself with a mask on, that just makes you look like a Jackwagon. (Thanks once again, Brad Wall!)
#3. “Will I win the lottery?” Shake it- “MOST LIKELY.” I shake it again for good measure and- “BETTER NOT TELL YOU NOW.” Shit, I should have left well enough alone…
#4. “Are operating costs going to continue to rise?” “IT IS CERTAIN” is the reply. Again, no surprise here as interest rates are now on the rise, materials are still in short supply in many cases and there seems to be transportation issues on many fronts. Just ask anyone trying to travel on Sunwing Airlines last week. I think this is just another result of ongoing supply-chain issues. Oh yeah, let’s not forget the carbon tax and the clean fuel tax. That crap sure doesn’t help.
#5.Since we are talking about the carbon tax, my next question is, “Will the current prime minister continue to be a dumpster fire?” I give it a good shake- “YES.” Just to be fair, I shake it again– “YOU MAY RELY ON IT.” Once again the good old “Magic Eight Ball TM” shows how accurate it can be.
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#6. The next and very obvious question is, “Will there be an election this year?” Shake, shake and shake again and the response is “SIGNS POINT TO YES.” I agree on this point. The economy is struggling badly and Trudeau will be starting to panic soon, so I think the “bro-mance” between him and Jagmeet Singh is about to turn into an ugly break-up. You know, the one where they start arguing about who bought what and why did you do that, ending with the favorite vase getting smashed? Yeah, that one. When asked if the Liberals will win, the ball answered with a “TRY AGAIN LATER.” Time will tell……
#7. “Is the demand for fossil fuels going to drop?” I asked this last year and was told “DOUBTFUL.” This year I have “BETTER NOT TELL YOU NOW” for an answer. Personally I see a continued need for crude oil, based on what has been happening. Most analysts are commenting that even to manufacture EVs and the “energy transition” will take a huge amount of fossil fuels to accomplish. So when the Liberal government says we will be using net zero by 2035, they are full of you-know-what. As always the trick for Western Canada will be getting it to market. But, we are very resourceful…..
#8. And of course, because we live in Saskatchewan; “Will the Riders win the Grey Cup in 2023?” (I got burned bad last year, I’m still extremely unhappy) I got a “REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN.” So I do. “OUTLOOK GOOD” says the Magic Eight Ball TM. Well, I didn’t cancel the season tickets…..yet……
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- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
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Just remember kids, Things will probably turn out OK. We still do live in Canada, (best country in the world!) But for me personally, OK is not acceptable. Not in Canada. With the available resources, brainpower and the work ethic of the people, both long term and recent immigrants, we should be FANTASTIC. And we will. Just read the news about Saskatchewan. We have the things the world needs. In this province we are literally sitting on a gold mine of food, fuel and resources to power the future. “Saskatchewan is the future.” Mediocrity will not do.
Just for fun I gave it a prolonged shake and say out loud “Is everything gonna be alright?” “OUTLOOK GOOD” says the device. I agree. Spend some time with family & friends, donate some of your free time to helping people less fortunate than yourself, and maintain a positive attitude. You don’t need the “Magic Eight Ball TM” to tell you that. If the Riders miss the playoffs again, I will use the payloader at the shop to drive over the “Magic Eight Ball TM” and smash that f—ing thing. Take that stupid magic eight ball…
Brian Crossman is a partner at Independent Well Servicing where he performs field supervision and marketing. Don’t worry friends; there is no charge for these predictions. (Because that’s what they are worth) And by the way, if he does run over the “Magic Eight Ball TM” with the Payloader, he will post the video online. Go Riders.
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- 0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click
- 0082 CsHM 2024 Pipeline0082 CsHM 2024 Pipeline
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0076 Latus only0076 Latus only
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001