Regina Refinery at 90 and Devine’s Upgraders, Part 2: Grant Devine’s motivation to build upgraders while they had the chance
“And so we said, ‘We’ll probably only get four years, so we’re just gonna go to beat the band. And we’re going to build. And my objective, as a PhD economist, was we’ve got to start adding value. And we’ve got to get into these things, regardless of the times.” – Grant Devine
Alberta power reserves falls to zero late Tuesday afternoon
Two major natural gas-fired power plants in Alberta going offline at the same time caused the Alberta’s electrical contingency reserves to fall to zero in the late afternoon on Tuesday, June 17.
Regina Refinery at 90 and Devine’s Upgraders, Part 1: The two heavy oil upgraders built by the Grant Devine government had a tough opening act, but became anchors for Saskatchewan’s current economy
In late June, Federated Co-operatives Limited will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Regina Refinery Complex. In September, 2022, Pipeline Online published a six-part series on the two Grant Devine-era heavy oil upgraders, and their lasting impact. One of those upgraders is an integral part of the Regina Refinery Complex, and thus, is a major part of the history of that refinery. To commemorate this momentous anniversary, Pipeline Online is republishing this series.
Trump leaves G7 summit early amid escalations in Middle East
Escalating violence in the Middle East overshadowed movement on trade deals within the G7 on Monday, as U.S. President Donald Trump departed the summit in Alberta a day early because of the crisis in Israel and Iran.
MEG Energy tells shareholders to reject Strathcona’s hostile takeover offer
MEG Energy told its shareholders on June 16 they should reject Strathcona Resources’ hostile takeover bid. Strathcona is a notable player in northwest Saskatchewan’s heavy oil play, north of North Battleford. MEG is an oil sands producer and part of the Pathways Alliance.
- 0120 2026 SK oil show attendee0120 2026 SK oil show attendee
- 0118 IBEW 30 sec0118 IBEW 30 sec
- 0119 Steffes Group System III Ltd Complete Dispersal P0119 Steffes Group System III Ltd Complete Dispersal P
- 0117 Turnbull 40 years0117 Turnbull 40 years
- 0115 SaskPower SASPO_2817_PLT_Recruitment_DIVERSITY0115 SaskPower SASPO_2817_PLT_Recruitment_DIVERSITY
- 0114 Prospera Bold Vision0114 Prospera Bold Vision
- 0113 Miller Epic Cinematic Hollywood trailer0113 Miller Epic Cinematic Hollywood trailer
- 0085 Turnbull snow removal call office0085 Turnbull snow removal call office
- 0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended
- 0100 Turnbull Project Manager0100 Turnbull Project Manager
- 0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p
- 0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD
- 0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it
- 0092 Turnbull projects big and small0092 Turnbull projects big and small
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 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
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001
How a strong wind day led to coal exceeding natural gas power generation on June 8
… and how all this ties into increasing oil production while leading to nuclear
Quick Dick McDick: How do you seed?
Before he cranked his hog, Quick Dick McDick had to finish seeding. Here’s the video as a result.
Poilievre says pipelines should be built even without consensus
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was asked on June 9 about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s notion that a consensus was needed to build major projects like pipelines to tidewater.
Eby says it’s not him blocking Smith’s oil pipeline, it’s lack of money and proponent
British Columbia Premier David Eby says it’s not him standing in the way of Alberta counterpart Danielle Smith’s longed-for oil pipeline from Alberta to B.C.’s north coast — it’s that there’s no proponent, no money and “no project right now.”
Pipeline Online Podcast Ep. 11: Dr. Tammy Nemeth, energy analyst
Dr. Tammy Nemeth is an energy analyst, originally from southern Saskatchewan now based Oxford, UK. She does a lot of work on the “energy transition” that is being forced upon our society, and how unrealistic that is.
- 0120 2026 SK oil show attendee0120 2026 SK oil show attendee
- 0118 IBEW 30 sec0118 IBEW 30 sec
- 0119 Steffes Group System III Ltd Complete Dispersal P0119 Steffes Group System III Ltd Complete Dispersal P
- 0117 Turnbull 40 years0117 Turnbull 40 years
- 0115 SaskPower SASPO_2817_PLT_Recruitment_DIVERSITY0115 SaskPower SASPO_2817_PLT_Recruitment_DIVERSITY
- 0114 Prospera Bold Vision0114 Prospera Bold Vision
- 0113 Miller Epic Cinematic Hollywood trailer0113 Miller Epic Cinematic Hollywood trailer
- 0085 Turnbull snow removal call office0085 Turnbull snow removal call office
- 0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended
- 0100 Turnbull Project Manager0100 Turnbull Project Manager
- 0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p
- 0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD
- 0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it
- 0092 Turnbull projects big and small0092 Turnbull projects big and small
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 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
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001
Brian Crossman: And Now for Something Completely Different
Lately, we all have been talking a whole lot about the kind of things we shouldn’t be talking about. (Especially if we want to keep our sanity) So today, instead of elections, poor political leadership and a very unstable market, we should discuss something else...
Quick Dick McDick: Laugh For a Good Cause, You Bastards!!
So way back in November, Quick Dick McDick calls and says he’d like to grab lunch, down in Estevan. He’s putting together a show to be held at the Estevan Orpheum Theatre come January. The event is meant to help out the owners finish repairs from flood damage the previous summer. And the show will be videoed for sale as a fundraiser. So he needs a cameraman. How could I say no?
Quick Dick McDick: Crank Yer Hog
Quick Dick ventures out on the open road atop his hog. Here’s some of his adventures. And they include seed potatoes. From mom.
Weekend Watch: How polycrystalline diamond cutter diamonds for drill bits are made
Ever wonder how the manmade diamonds on oilwell drill bits are made? And why a polycrystalline diamond cutter (PDC) bit costs so damned much?
Brian Zinchuk on Evan Bray: Energy superpower, energy corridors and bitumen
On Wednesday, June 4, Pipeline Online editor and owner Brian Zinchuk appeared on the Evan Bray Show on CJME/CKOM. The conversation took place two days after the big First Ministers Meeting in Saskatoon, where energy corridors, pipelines, and nation-building projects were major discussion points.
- 0120 2026 SK oil show attendee0120 2026 SK oil show attendee
- 0118 IBEW 30 sec0118 IBEW 30 sec
- 0119 Steffes Group System III Ltd Complete Dispersal P0119 Steffes Group System III Ltd Complete Dispersal P
- 0117 Turnbull 40 years0117 Turnbull 40 years
- 0115 SaskPower SASPO_2817_PLT_Recruitment_DIVERSITY0115 SaskPower SASPO_2817_PLT_Recruitment_DIVERSITY
- 0114 Prospera Bold Vision0114 Prospera Bold Vision
- 0113 Miller Epic Cinematic Hollywood trailer0113 Miller Epic Cinematic Hollywood trailer
- 0085 Turnbull snow removal call office0085 Turnbull snow removal call office
- 0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended
- 0100 Turnbull Project Manager0100 Turnbull Project Manager
- 0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p
- 0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD
- 0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it
- 0092 Turnbull projects big and small0092 Turnbull projects big and small
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 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
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001
Windless Wednesday in Alberta as output falls to 0.1 per cent, while Nova Scotia pitches powering a quarter of the country with wind
In the same week Nova Scotia is proposing building enough wind power generation to handle 27 per cent of Canada’s electricity needs, Alberta saw next to now power come from its fleet of 45 wind farms throughout most of Wednesday, June 4. It was a windless...
Bronwyn Eyre: Appeasement rhetoric won’t solve federal-provincial relations
We all hope for brighter days when it comes to Canada’s economy and sense of unity. But provincial strength is preferable to weakness.
Eby says he won’t be changing mind on another B.C. pipeline, rebuffing Ford
B.C. Premier David Eby says he won’t be throwing his support behind a new oil pipeline through the province, dismissing Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s suggestion that Eby would change his mind.
Inactive well cleanup results announced by minister
As of January 2025, there were 1,083 fewer inactive wells compared to when the ILRP was first launched in 2023, the ministry said in a May 29 press release.
You can’t hide these smiles. Lock and load
There's more to the oilfield than work! On May 2, the Estevan Oilfield Technical Society held its 5tth annual Top Gun Trap Shoot at the Estevan Trap Club. Those smiles are genuine, because you can't hide that much fun. Tap on the photo to enlarge, swipe to see the...
- 0120 2026 SK oil show attendee0120 2026 SK oil show attendee
- 0118 IBEW 30 sec0118 IBEW 30 sec
- 0119 Steffes Group System III Ltd Complete Dispersal P0119 Steffes Group System III Ltd Complete Dispersal P
- 0117 Turnbull 40 years0117 Turnbull 40 years
- 0115 SaskPower SASPO_2817_PLT_Recruitment_DIVERSITY0115 SaskPower SASPO_2817_PLT_Recruitment_DIVERSITY
- 0114 Prospera Bold Vision0114 Prospera Bold Vision
- 0113 Miller Epic Cinematic Hollywood trailer0113 Miller Epic Cinematic Hollywood trailer
- 0085 Turnbull snow removal call office0085 Turnbull snow removal call office
- 0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended
- 0100 Turnbull Project Manager0100 Turnbull Project Manager
- 0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p
- 0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD
- 0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it
- 0092 Turnbull projects big and small0092 Turnbull projects big and small
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 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
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001
Estevan OTS Golf Tournament photo galleries
Estevan’s TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course was the venue for the Estevan Oilfield Technical Society’s ?? Annual Golf Tournament which ran May 28-31.
SaskPower asked customers to reduce demand Wednesday as low wind, gas and coal issues reduce power supply
A combination of factors led SaskPower to ask some of its large customers to reduce their power consumption on Wednesday, May 28. And the same day saw wind output fall in Alberta to 0.2 per cent capacity.
Strathcona’s takeover bid for MEG not expected to affect Saskatchewan thermal expansion plans
o the big question is – will Strathcona continue its planned expansion in Saskatchewan, or will its growth be through buying barrels of production through the acquisition of MEG instead?
Reaching for a Million, Part 4: Brian Zinchuk: A five point plan for Saskatchewan to hit a million barrels per day
During the October, 2024, provincial election campaign Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he’d like to eventually see Saskatchewan reach one million barrels of oil production per day. That dramatically exceeds his own government’s stated goal of 600,000 barrels per day by 2030. Doing so would more than double the province’s current ~450,000 bpd average production.
How can that be done?
Beck writes federal ministers to repeal Bill C-69 and revise the Clean Electricity Regulations
As the sitting resumes in the House of Commons, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck sent five letters to a total of nine ministers in Carney’s cabinet calling for action on Saskatchewan issues that have too often been ignored by federal governments of all stripes.