THI S IS
OF AGE
SUE
THE
G AS
$5.99 JULY 2014
TRADE ENTERPRISE
BRINGING BUSINESS TRAINING TO THE TRADES
10
CAMPING INNOVATIONS
AN AGE OF GAS
INFOGRAPHIC EVENT NETWORKING BARBECUE ESSENTIALS SUPPLY CHAINS A GPS RECAP
HOW TO PAINT
YOUR TONSILS?
YOUR GLOBAL OILFIELD STAFFING SOLUTION
WELLSITE SUPERVISION Pajak maintains a certification database that allows us to ensure that a supervisor’s tickets are always current before they go out on any job. Pajak senior technical staff are available on a 24 hour/day back-up to all supervisors and engineers.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT We provide experienced, dependable project management staff to oil & gas sites around the globe. Our team knows how to get the job done, and is insured, certified, and be IRP (industry recommended practices) #7 and IRP #16 compliant.
Contact Us
Contact Us
WORK FOR US We are constantly searching for highly qualified, safety conscious individuals to expand and maintain the company’s high standards. We provide the very best in field supervision and project management to the oil and gas industry. Apply With Pajak PAJAKENG.COM | 403-264-1197(24HOURS)
CUSTOM STEEL
ADVOCATE
FABRICATION PE T R O C H E M I CA L
+
MARINA
OUR PRODUCTS & SERVICES: • Skid Packages • Structural Steel Fabrication • Stainless Steel Welding • Instrument Tubing
• Flare Stacks • Indirect Fired Heaters • Hydro testing & Pressure vessels • Pressure piping
PLAINS FABRICATION & SUPPLY (ABSA & ASME CERTIFIED) New 90,000 square-foot facility featuring state-of-the-art technologies 8700 Venture Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta T3S 0A2 Tel: (403) 269-1870 Fax: (403) 269-2050 www.plainsfabrication.com
• Blasting & painting • Internal and external coating of piping, tanks and vessels • Other custom fabrication
JULY 2014
contents FEATURES
12
Age of Gas Infographic
12 14
Natural gas is poised to take on a dominant role in global energy s upply and demand
14
Innovative Camping Gear
Time to put away the hand me down lanterns and
sleeping bags - here’s the best of what’s out there
24 48
The Nitty Gritty of the Stampede The Stampede has something for everyone
HEALTH Aerial Yoga - A varient of the traditional
54
48
Event Networking 101 tips to guide you through successful interactions
68
Local Eats
The Shark Club
40
Stampede Drink There’s more than one way to paint your tonsils
4
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
24 54
34 About the Cover How business in work boots is bringing business training to the trades Photography By Charlene Woodman
YOUR
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
ADVOCATE
SERVICES EXPERT
Serving Western Canada and North Dakota Personal service, professional performance Highly skilled, experienced personnel State-of-the-art technology and equipment Positive Pulse & Electro-Magnetic (EM) MWD High performance drilling motors Committed to your success
P A TO
0 0 1 N HEWAW C A K SAS Y NO PAN COM LBERTA IN A
Calgary, AB 403.264.8206 202c, 221 10th Ave S.E. T2G 0V9
Leduc, AB 780.986.3309 102-6527 Sparrow Dr. T9E7C7
Carlyle, SK 306.453.2533 11 4th St. E S0C 0R0
Denver, CO 600 17th St Suite 2800 S 80202
OVER 1800 HORIZONTAL WELLS DRILLED MILLENNIUMDIRECTIONAL.COM
JULY 2014
contents 10 22
DEPARTMENTS
10 18
CEO Message The tale of 2 truths - truck tickets
Announcement
Stormhold Energy Ltd. and Leadstone Group Inc. announce a strategic partnership
20
Technology Evolution Oil Tools Inc. introduces the company’s
most advanced and economical torque anchor
22 28
0
20
Pajak POV The next big change - natural gas
shortages and government obsticles
30 58 62
A different view on hayfever
Person in Profile
Mike Fenn of Millennium Directional Service Ltd.
44
6
COALBED METHANE
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
2000
SEAL
3000
CONVENTIONAL ASSOCIATED GAS
4000
SANDSTONE
5000
WATER SANDSTONE
30
58
6000
7000
GAS RICH SHALE
SANDSTONE
CWIE
The power of volunteering being socially responsible & accountable
1000
OIL
Wine & Dine Sunterra’s guide to doing BBQ right
Alternative Health
MUNICIPAL WATER WELL
28
Plains Perspective Getting good employees when dealing with
GROUNDWATER AQUIFIERS
62
8000
9000
CALL
to schedule a demo
1-800-486-4328
When
operational readiness is not an option. Flameless Heaters Indirect Fired Heaters Direct Fired Heaters Construction Heaters
sales@hermannelson.com
10 0 E AG L E DRIV E W I NNI P E G M B R2R 1 V 5 www.hermannelson.com
Subscriptions@OilfieldPULSE.com TELEPHONE 1-403-537-6560 TOLL FREE 1-866-883-8848 For advertising inquiries or editorial submissions please contact: Production@LeadstoneGroup.com
CEO KEVIN TURKO | Kevin.Turko@LeadstoneGroup.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR KYLE K. FUJITA | Kyle.Fujita@LeadstoneGroup.com
MANAGING EDITOR ANDREA TURKO | Andrea.Turko@LeadstoneGroup.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR AMANDA LEE | Amanda.Lee@LeadstoneGroup.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR BARB LEE | Barb.Lee@LeadstoneGroup.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER CHARLENE WOODMAN | CharleneWoodman@yahoo.ca
VICE PRESIDENT SALES DAVE O’CONNOR | Dave.OConnor@LeadstoneGroup.com
MEMBER RELATIONS KAREN KEITH | Karen.Keith@LeadstoneGroup.com FINANCE & ADMIN JEANNIE YIP | Finance_Admin@LeadstoneGroup.com
OILFIELD PULSE
ADVERTISING INDEX 2 PAJAK
21 HUB ADVOCATE
63 VENDOR OF THE MONTH
3 PLAINS FABRICATION AEROTECH
33 ALSTAR OILFIELD CONTRACTORS LTD.
45 DATA SHAPPERS
5 MILLENNIUM DIRECTIONAL SERVICE LTD.
47 ARIZONA VACATION RENTALS
69 TOURCAN VACATIONS
7 AEROTECH HERMAN NELSON INTERNATIONAL INC.
61 DATA SHAPERS
70 OILFIELD HUB
63 THE HUB CONNECTION
9 EVOLUTION OIL TOOLS INC.
For advertising inquiries or editorial submissions please contact: Production@LeadstoneGroup.com
© 2014 by Leadstone Group Inc.
SPONSORED BY
PUBLISHED BY
OILFIELDHUB.COM
LEADSTONEGROUP.COM
The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this publication is prohibited. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Disclaimer: The messages expressed in this publication do not represent the views of Oilfield PULSE, Leadstone Group or affiliated companies. Publication Number: 42420518
CEO MESSAGE
GAME CHANGER THE TAIL OF 2 TRUTHS THE CULPRIT - TRUCK TICKETS!
S
o what’s a truck ticket? It’s any instrument that gets handed to the guy in the field when something is delivered to the site. Today it’s being used by vendors as their main document to issue invoices for their services, supplies and rentals, and by operators, to confirm receipt and record these expenses. And herein lies the Tale of 2 Truths. One truck ticket and two different interpretations. This is costing the industry and every oil and gas company lots of money! Why? Every truck ticket goes in two different directions. One copy stays with the vendor, while one stays with the operator at the site. The truck ticket is used by operators for AFE (approval for expenditure) accounting. How well am I doing against my AFE budget? The field guy interprets the truck ticket and enters the expense into their accounting / recording system - the 1st Truth! The truck ticket also goes back with the vendor, who also interprets it and enters this data to generate their invoice - the 2nd Truth! This is how the industry works today, and it’s wrong! The most dynamic example is oilfield rentals. Once the field guy is finished with the rental service, like a 400 barrel tank, and wants to move it to the next site, or send it back, notice is given by phone or email. We refer to this as an implied ‘truck ticket’, as no actual document is created. It is used to inform the
10
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
service company of the move or return, and prompts them to issue a bill for the current rental. There is a systemic problem in the industry – the truck ticket is being interpreted in two different ways, by two (or more) different people. This causes all sorts of problems in verification and approval processes because you have two different sources of information - again 2 Truths. Both sides are interpreting the information, one side, how much and when should I bill, and on the other side, how much and when are we prepared to pay. And that’s what makes the world go round, or is it a merry-go-round? Where do we go from here? From an operator’s perspective, the field guy is tracking and recording daily expenses against the AFE and reporting it back to Head Office. Every operator, at every single well goes through this. Everyone has a project, accounting or spreadsheet system to record and check these expenses to ensure they have enough money in their budgets and are controlling these costs against the AFE. It’s their interpretation of the truck ticket that determines what to pay for and how these expenses are allocated. On the vendor side of this equation, the truck ticket is their source document to use in their own way. They are interpreting the truck ticket to track their products and services, create invoices, and as backup attachments to their invoices. That is if it is
signed! If not, they have to track down the right field guy to get it signed, so the operator can validate that the expense is real. There are big dollars involved here, particularly when the two interpretations of the truck ticket do not match. Issues like duplicate invoices, double billing,
There are big dollars involved here, particularly when the two interpretations of the truck ticket do not match split billing and over billing regularly creep into this equation. The truck ticket system is flawed because you are always faced with 2 Truths, theirs and yours! The expenses recorded against the AFE should be used as the One Truth! Before the invoice is issued, the operator presses a button to automatically send an approval notice to the service company containing information on the money they have allocated on whichever line item. This is their notice, and to some extent, expense approval for the item in question, before the invoice is issued. If there are any disagreements, these can be settled between the field, operations and the service company before the invoice is actually issued.
The result? For the operator, much less hassle getting invoices verified and processed. For the vendor, pre-approved invoices with full coding and field authorization get issued quicker and paid faster! Costly errors are easily avoided and both sides save time by simplifying existing verification and dispute processes. Is this the game changer? This is definitely a different way of thinking. No one in the industry thinks like this today! This is an opportunity to change the industry in a big, big way because of this approach. Press a button and an instant approved expense notification goes out! A number of immediate benefits are realized like automatic notification to vendors covering exactly how much they’re supposed to bill, correct account coding, invoice preauthorization, dealing with disputes before invoices are issued, and of course, saving time, valuable time! The pain and hassles of interpreting truck tickets twice is costing everyone, big time! Dealing with One Truth is so much easier and far less costly!
Kevin Turko CEO LEADSTONE GROUP 403.537.6561
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
11
AGE OF
N
atural gas is poised to take on a dominant role in global energy supply and demand. We’re entering a time where natural gas is going to be rivaling coal and oil, while complimenting renewable energy. It’s expected to grow by 36% by 2025.
RWAY NO
H
55.0
U.S.A.
27.2
GER AL I A
9
59.4
78% OF THE WORLD’S NATURAL GAS EXPORTS
154.4 1
6
QATAR
ER NIG IA
4
3
RUSSIA
5
ALAYSI
A
20.5
55.0 M
2
D
103.2
OLLAN
TOP 10 GAS EXPORTERS BLN M3
DONESI
A
31.0
10
IN
NADA CA
92.8
33.6
8
7
TOP 10 GAS IMPORTERS BLN M3
IT TAKES
23.5 TONS
BELGIUM
U.K.
S. KOREA
TURKEY
SPAIN
FRANCE ITALY
GERMANY
JAPAN
UNITED STATES
72% OF THE WORLD’S NATURAL GAS IMPORTS
OF ANCIENT, BURIED PLANTS TO PRODUCE 1 LITRE OF PETROL.
114.4 92.1 87.1 76.9 49.3 39.6 37.6 36.6 36.4 20.8
1%
GAS TRANSPORTED BY TRUCK OR RAIL GLOBALLY
89% PIPELINES 10% SHIPS
TERRAWATT HOURS PER YEAR (TWH) 14,000
4.3%
3.5%
GAS
7.5%
4.4%
HYDRO 2.5% NUCLEAR -.05% WIND, SOLAR 56.8% & OTHER BIOFUEL 5.2% OIL -.01%
1.5% 5.2% 22.8%
10,000
6,000
36%
ABOVE WHAT IS PRODUCED TODAY BY 2025
COAL
12,000
8,000
GAS DEMAND WILL INCREASE
4,000
DEMAND
2,000 0
2000 2012 2015 2020 2025
12
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
CAGR
7.1% -3.0%
‘00-’12 ‘12-’25
Infographic By Kyle K. Fujita | Sources: theguardian.com, US Energy Information Administration,
INFOGRAPHIC 1.0%
PIPELINES
AGRICULTURE
14.7%
12.0%
20.3%
INDUSTRIAL
RESIDENTIAL
POWER GEN.
PUB. ADMIN/ COMMERCIAL
ALL OTHERS
2012
%
R
7
IS THE FIRST RECORD OF IGNITING NATURAL GAS. A FISSURE CREATED AN “ETERNAL FLAME” ON MOUNT PARNASSUS, GREECE.
CANADA’S TOTAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION
5%
E OTH
1000 B.C.
3
NU
CL
EA
PE TR
M EU OL
16.3%
2%
32.8%
NATURAL GAS IS THE CLEANEST BURNING FOSSIL FUEL
R
22
8% C OA
%
U NAT
L
RA
AS
2.9%
26%
BY SECTOR (TJ,%)
HYD RO
NATURAL GAS DEMAND
LG
DIRECT EMPLOYMENT - NATURAL GAS SECTOR
(CANADA 2012 - FULL TIME EQUIVALENT) NATURAL GAS EXTRACTION 28.2K | NATURAL GAS DISTRUBUTION 16.7K | SUPPORT FOR EXTRACTION 12.5K | PIPELINE TRANSMISSION 2.2K
2013 GAS PRODUCTION (MMCF PER DAY)
513
HUSKY ENERGY INC.
529
CENOVUS ENERGY INC.
1158
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES
1,451
2,777
TALISMAN ENERGY INC.
ENCANA
MAJOR NATURAL GAS CONSUMERS (TRILLION CUBIC FEET)
Electrical Power 7.6 Industrial 6.8 Residential 4.7 Commercial 3.2
SPACE GAS
OCEANS & RIVERS OF NATURAL GAS EXIST ON SATURN’S MOON TITAN
Statcan, CGA, GE Global Strategy and Analytics, the Age of Gas report, Department of Energy
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
13
For all you gear guys (and gals) here’s a few things that will make you the alpha dawg during your next camping trip. Time to put away the hand me down lanterns and portable stoves. Here’s the best in innovative camping gear.
GEAR GUIDE
LED QUAD LANTERN $74.05 Included is four removable lanterns, making it an ideal choice for camping in numbers. Each lantern recharges in its central hub through a rechargeable NiMH battery, which provides 1.5 hours of light. This also comes with a 5 year warrenty. colemancanada.ca
PICNIC BACKPACK $90.00 Everything you need for a party of 4. Brought to you by Picnic at Ascot, it’s a cooler, to keep food at the right temperature weighing in at 7lbs. Included is a corkscrew, hardwood cutting board, cheese knife, wooden salt and pepper shakers with non spill tops, acrylic wine glasses, coordinating melamine plates, stainless steel flatware, cotton napkins and large fleece blanket. Available on Amazon.com
14
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
PULSE PICKS ZIP UP HIKING SHOES $42.95 This is a great choice for travel or camping with it’s zip-up design saving you on storage. The soles are 42-percent recycled, and have great traction for the trail or sidewalk. OrthoLite® footbed let’s you travel through creeks and rivers with ease. Available on Amazon.com
SOL ORIGIN $30.26 Your ace in the hole if you ever get lost, or find yourself needing to spend a night away from civilization. Included in this ‘ten essentials’ is a AUS-8 steel blade, Rescue Flash Signal Mirror, Fire Lite strike, 100db Whistle, an LED light, directional compass, stainless steel wire, 150lb nylon cord, foil, tinder and survival instructions, all in a waterproof compartment. surviveoutdoorslonger.com
BIOLIGHT CAMP STOVE/CHARGER $129.95 Just add some biomass fuel like wood or pine cones and this stove will produce heat for cooking and the heat is converted to electricity to charge anything with a USB connector. No need to bring a portable cook stove and a charger for your gadgets when you have this. Yes they can put a man on the moon, and they can build this thing. biolitestove.com
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
15
PULSE PICKS
HAMMOCK SLEEPING BAG $179.99 A great solution for staying warm, while other sleeping bags compress under you and lose the insulating factor, this creates a warm, snug as a bug in a rug feeling. It’s rated for 32 degrees Fahrenheit and is made of lightweight Thinsulate® insulation. grandtrunkgoods.com
CHIAPPA M6 $375.00 Recently released, the Chiappa is the ultimate survival weapon, although not a great rate of fire for zombies, it features a 20 Gauge shotgun and a .22 Long Rifle. This foam buttstock provides storage for ammunition and a cleaning kit. chiappafirearms.com
SEE THROUGH CANOE $1,650 Made out of a (military-grade) carbon kevlar frame, it’s literally bullet proof, and for that price it should be. It’s lighter then wood or aluminum, and offers a new way to experience the world around you. The folding version goes for $4,300, and can actually fit in a backpack, and takes half an hour to set up. seethroughcanoe.com
16
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
THE GRUB HUB $379.00 It’s the easy way to transport and organize all your cooking gear centered around the camp stove. It takes just 3 minutes to transform into a complete kitchen. Great for camping, tailgating, or festivals. grubhubusa.com
SHIT BOX $27.19 Time to give a shit, about taking a shit - the Shit Box is cheap, portable and made out of recyclable material. Unfold it in seconds and put in a biodegradable bag and you are ready to make deposits at your hearts content. Available on Amazon.com
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
17
ANNOUNCEMENT
18
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
Chadd Radke (President, Director, CEO Stormhold Energy Ltd. (Middle) Kevin Turko - CEO Leadstone Group Ltd. (Left), & Dave O’Connor (Vice President Sales Leadstone Group Ltd. (right)
PUT ‘ER THERE PARTNER Leadstone Group Inc. signs agreement to represent Stormhold Energy Ltd.
ADVOCATE
WHY SHOULD YOU SIGN UP? HOW ABOUT • Vertical Market Exclusivity
L
eadstone Group has signed an agreement to assist Stormhold Energy in their quest to fully realize the potential of their 100% working interest in 295 sections of land in EastCentral Alberta. According to Chadd Radke, President and CEO of Stormhold Energy Ltd, “Leadstone Group have unquestionably demonstrated, with their multiple marketing platforms, Oilfield HUB and Oilfield PULSE, that they are able to connect buyers and sellers in the industry. Our association with these products has greatly enhanced the value of Stormhold Energy to date. We are looking for partners to develop our oil and gas assets by means of: Joint Venture Partnership, Merger, Drilling Program Partners or Capital Equity Injection and have reached out to Leadstone Group to assist us in establishing new connections. Kevin Turko, CEO of Leadstone Group, confirms that “ By virtue of our extensive exposure in the market and development of a new Vendor Relation Software solution in Oilfield HUB we are afforded tremendous opportunity to identify opportunities for companies like Stormhold Energy to partner with other entities that have similar goals and interests. We are excited to be able to work directly with Stormhold Energy and many other companies that have come forward with requests for our help.” If your group wants to invest in a project, merge, joint venture or needs financing help please contact Leadstone Group to discuss your requirements. Photography By Kyle K. Fujita
• Oilfield HUB Service Package • Unlimited HUB Connect Users • Rotating banner ads throughout the entire Oilfield HUB website • Guaranteed #1 ranking in all Oilfield HUB search results • Permanent Inclusion on Operator Preferred Vendor Lists • Online profile on Leadstone website • 10 full page ads and 2 advertorials per year (2 page spreads) • Contributing editor status for stories/ article submissions to Oilfield PULSE AS WELL AS • Influencer Prospect HUB • VRM to manage your preferred vendor database • SCM to manage your own sourcing inquires, bid requests, and order processing • Inclusion onto the demo Preferred Vendor List for all Leadstone / Operator interactive sales call presentations and contracted client implementations AND MORE! To find out how you can get on board contact Dave O’Connor at Dave.Oconnor@LeadstoneGroup.com or call (403) 910-4172
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
19
TECHNOLOGY
TORQUE ANCHORS
EVOLVED Based on extensive design and market evaluation, Evolution Oil Tools Inc. introduces the company’s most advanced and economical torque anchor.
ADVERTISMENT
E
20
volution Oil Tools Inc. announced the worldwide release of their new ATA – Advanced Torque Anchor. The product compliments Evolution’s industry best Artificial Lift offerings. “Our new ATA – Advanced Torque Anchor fills a gap that the market demanded: provide more bypass for coil tubing, while offering the most economical solution possible. The ATA is a great fit to our existing Artificial Lift portfolio,” states Shaun Wold, General Manager, Evolution Oil Tools.
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
In most configurations, the ATA offers greater than 95% of the potential bypass available past a similarly sized EUE coupling. The ATA can also pass 3/4 inch coil tubing without obstruction with the designed-in bypass angles. The ATA – Advanced Torque Anchor incorporates the tried and true anchor systems of the Evolution DTA – Dynamic Torque Anchor product family, including spring-loaded anchor block with an entirely redesigned body and anchor block mounting design. The design provides a bypass
area unmatched in the industry, an average of 29% more than our closest competitor. Unlike other torque anchors on the market, the patent-pending ATA also maintains a centralized position downhole.
BYPASS CAPABILITY OF UP TO 95% OF COUPLING Other features of the tool are sand ports that allow for sand and debris evacuation from below and easy redress ability, which will extend the life of the ATA for users. PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY The new ATA – Advanced Torque Anchor is designed and built to the highest standards in the industry. Distribution of the new ATA - Advanced Torque Anchor will be through Evolution’s locations in Calgary, Alberta; Lloydminster, Alberta; Edmonton Alberta; Victoria, Texas and Odessa, Texas. CANADIAN MANUFACTURING / DISTRIBUTION Calgary, Alberta #3, 1820 – 30th Ave. NE Calgary, AB T2E 7M5 1-800-265-8665 (TOOL)
Edmonton, Alberta 4512 - 81 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6B 2M2 1-855-758-9091
Lloydminster, Alberta 6415A - 63 St. Close Lloydminster, AB T9V 3B5 780-875-1570 U.S. MANUFACTURING / DISTRIBUTION Victoria, Texas P.O. Box 5363 2908 Coffey Street Victoria, Texas 77903
Odessa, Texas 3400 Kermit Hwy Odessa, Texas (432) 337-7900
Knowledgeable Personnel Providing and Developing Quality Products and Timely Solutions to the Oil & Gas Industry
WWW. EOTOOLS.COM
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
21
PAJAK POV
OIL CHANGE? W
ith the natural gas market threatening to mount a comeback, our industry could be in for yet another major shift. The shale gas revolution has gone through several stages already with the skeptics and promoters each being right about certain aspects of the plays. The shale revolution in natural gas was brought to us almost exclusively by the introduction of a disruptive technology, the first multi-stage fracture stimulations. We all know what happened next, with short term storage filling up for several winters due to the prolific initial production rates from these shale gas wells and the rush to drill and hold lands. That combined with the lack of markets for the industry’s gas outside the reach of our pipeline networks lead to the price collapse which ensued. Natural gas fell significantly out of favor as it has done before with deregulation of market in the 1980’s. Looking back to before the days of shale gas and the common thinking that conventional gas projects, which relied on higher and higher pricing, would be the way of the future. Coal bed methane producers were chided for using prices above $7 mcf in their
22
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
economics. But with spot prices at the time they could claim to be conservative with their estimates. Fast forward a few years and it is hard to imagine how we once thought that way. As an industry we are of two minds when it comes to natural gas. The oil sands producers use it as an input, and the conventional producers see it as an end product for sale. These two mindsets are diametrically opposed and speak to the struggle we will continue to have in maximization of our resource base. One example that comes to mind is Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage oil wells, which have done very well, while natural gas prices lagged. A resurgence of natural gas prices will surely strain the recent economics of this type of project. At Pajak Engineering, our clientele direct the type of wells we work on. These well types have changed with the changing times and our gas focused clientele are requesting assistance with increasingly challenging deeper drilling projects targeting liquid rich plays which serve to offset the economics of the natural gas itself. As the market drives to more and more complex wells, it appears the days of drilling swaths of
ADVOCATE
0 inexpensive dry shallow gas wells seems far behind us. However, the perfect storm of circumstance could change the industry yet again to revitalize shallower plays which have not seen as much activity in close to a decade. Having served the industry for nearly 50 years Pajak has seen the industry change many times, and has a history of adapting well. Something things remain constant however, such as our commitment to integrity, good oilfield practices, and the safety of our personnel. Whether the next big change comes fast or slow, it is sure to come. As it stands now it would appear that economic forces rather than technological change are likely to cause the next major shift in where we focus as an industry. Regardless of the timing, we at Pajak will be sure to stay ahead of the industry trends to aide our clientele with their toughest drilling and completions projects.
By Roger J. Baker P.Geol GEOSCIENCE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
GROUNDWATER AQUIFIERS MUNICIPAL WATER WELL
1000
COALBED METHANE
2000
SEAL
3000
CONVENTIONAL ASSOCIATED GAS
4000
OIL SANDSTONE
5000
WATER SANDSTONE
6000
7000 GAS RICH SHALE
8000
SANDSTONE
9000
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
23
STAMPEDING
THE
NITTY
GRITTY OF THE STAMPEDE EXPERIENCE
F
or 10 days every July, Calgary is overrun with Cowboys and Cowgirls both young and old looking to kick up their boots and have some fun attending The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. The Calgary Stampede comes by the title honestly, from the rodeo, to concerts from some of country’s biggest names, to rides and some of the strangest midway foods around, the Stampede has something for everyone. So whether it’s your first time attending, or you’re a seasoned Stampede attendee, here are a few tips for how to do Stampede right.
24
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
GET YOUR COWBOY ON
LOOSEN YOUR BELT
The first, and some would argue the most important part of Stampede is your cowboy gear. If you have denim, plaid, a cowboy hat and boots in your closet you are set to Stampede! Want to take it to the next level? Throw in a western belt, bandana, bolo tie, fringe, brocade vest or for the really adventurous, some leather chaps. Just do us all a favor and be sure to wear something under them!
Eat everything! This has become many peoples mantra over the course of Stampede week. From standard midway fair to some more unusual choices the Stampede has some of the most unique food you’ll find all in one place. The 2014 Stampede welcomes 32 new foods to the midway, a few of the standouts – crocodile sliders, deep fried donut bacon cheeseburgers, red velvet mini donuts and for the daring, scorpion pizza.
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
25
STAMPEDING
26
A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY
MIDWAY MAGIC
Stampede wouldn’t be Stampede without country music! There are lots of different choices for those looking to take in a concert. Nashville North, the Coca-Cola Stage and the rock royalty of the Virgin Mobile Concert Series all offer great shows you’ll never forget.
If rides and games are more your style the Stampede midway is where it’s at. You’ll find hairraising rides for the adventurous and tamer rides for the kiddies in “the Great Funtier”. You can also test out your skills and play some games for some slower paced fun.
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
RODEO These cowboys are the real deal. If you have never experienced this event live it’s a site to be seen, and the Calgary Stampede brings together the world’s best competitors. Not an event for the faint of heart, these cowboys display a true sense of athleticism and are as daring as they come. 1:15pm daily
RANGELAND DERBY & TRANSALTA GRANDSTAND SHOW ‘The Chucks’ as they are fondly referred to around Stampede time, is a thunderous competition of drivers, horses and their team of outriders all vying for the top spot. The heart-pounding chuckwagons are followed by the equally as amazing TransAlta Grandstand Show. The Grandstand Show features the world’s best in music, dance, acrobatics and much more. There’s something for everyone! 7:45pm daily
OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
27
PLAINS PERSPECTIVE
IN REEDS THE WIND
I
know we have spoken about foreign workers on more than one occasion. I do not want to focus on the need for the Temporary Foreign Workers Program or lack thereof. I would like to express my frustration with politicians who can’t seem to build solid legislation that is robust enough to withstand abuse. My take may seem a little basic, but if I try to cross the border without a passport, I may go to jail. If I try to import goods into the country using the wrong harmonized code, I may go to jail. If I do not pay my taxes, I may go to jail. Is this concept too much for The Honourable Jason Kenney or Chris Alexander to understand? Jason Kenney is one of the most forward thinking, if not the most forward thinking politician whom I have ever met. I was so impressed that his government saw a need, listened to business, and then created one of the biggest changes in government in the past forty years when they created the TFWP. It was brave, it took guts, it was the right thing to do, and it was the first time I looked at our government as leaders. What they did flew in the face of slow government reaction to serious issues. In business and in government great innovation and advancements always have growing pains. In business you power through because your money is locked into your decision. In politics I guess you don’t have to find a way to power through. When the problems happen you run and hide, you shut things
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down; you basically throw the baby out with the bath water. It is weak and reactionary, which are two things that do not make a good leader. Plains Fabrication has used the foreign workers program. It was painful, overregulated, difficult to navigate, but it has provided us with two skilled tradespeople whom we couldn’t find at the time. They are both enrolled in the Alberta Nominee Program which will allow them to stay permanently in the country. Plains Fabrication currently requires more skilled trades. We are working with a Canadian company to find welders from Ontario and British Columbia which should be an easy process, but because of poorly run systems by provincial politicians, finding a Canadian worker can be just as much of a mine field. Provincial regulations that apply to any trade are different in every province. Provincial regulation of a trade such as welding is so disjointed it is broken in more ways than the TFWP ever will be. I cannot hire a welder from Ontario because the Alberta regulations are different and the ticket in Ontario is not recognized in Alberta. A welder in Ontario has to come to Alberta and almost start his or her career over again in the same way a doctor from India coming to Canada has to start their schooling over. Do not let the politicians tell you this is not true. It is absolutely true, and if you want to stop by my shop I would be happy to sit down and show you. Politicians are reeds in the wind. The wind is
ADVOCATE
media reported public opinion. Leaders stand strong in the face of adversity and stand behind what they believe. When a problem arises they investigate and troubleshoot, they do not react. A leader will find the root cause of a problem before they make a decision. I have a lot of respect for the Jason Kenney that built the TFWP program, and I know he is not the only person calling the shots on these decisions to continuously open and close this program. What I don’t have any respect for is the spineless way the
representative for Industry; we offered to speak to the media; we extended these offers at any time and at no cost. Stop running around doing damage control; stop overreacting when there is a problem. By reacting in the way you have it makes it look like you have done something wrong. Here is a newsflash for you: you were right, you did the right thing, and you built something great. Unfortunately, you’ve now torn it all apart and you look like politicians rather than leaders.
A welder in Ontario has to come to Alberta and almost start his or her career over again in the same way a doctor from India coming to Canada has to start their schooling over government overreacts when a problem is found. If someone has truly broken the rules in these cases send them to jail. If a company wants to use the TFWP system to hire employees, make them sign a contract that expresses all abuse of the system will result in prosecution. Another option is to put some teeth into the contract if prosecution is not possible, then introduce heavy fines or hire more regulatory staff. I could keep rattling off options, but one of the options isn’t throwing in the towel. To Jason and Chris I have a direct message: I have sat in rooms with both of you. I have offered help; I have offered advice; Plains has said it will be a
There were representatives from major companies in our last meeting with some of the smartest people in the country. We offered to help in any way we could to make sure this program continued. Our companies offered free resources and consultation. I don’t think you truly understand how powerful an offer that was and I think it is a shame to see your good work so easily discarded. By Tom McCaffery GENERAL MANAGER PLAINS FABRICATION
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WINE & DINE
the Sunterra guide to
BARBEQUE
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The sun is shining and the barbeque is beckoning! Instead of wistfully daydreaming of burgers and beers from behind a stack of paperwork, start planning a barbeque. Whether you want to spend time with family, bring co-workers closer together, or just celebrate the season, do it now while the weather’s warm and spirits are high. There are many aspects involved in planning a good barbeque; here are our guidelines to help you plan and execute an event that will leave your guests in awe at your seemingly effortless coordination abilities.
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WINE & DINE VENUE Start your planning here. Outdoor barbeques are ideal, but make sure your venue has indoor space available in case of bad weather. Speak with your booking contact about the availability of a grill, or if they have a space for you to bring one in. Look for an area with open air for proper ventilation and get permission to use propane or a natural gas line. Be aware of where the food will be in relation to seating – no one wants to balance their plate, cutlery and beverage while trying to master a set of stairs. Speaking of seating, make sure there is room to sit and eat as well as space to stand and mingle. Finally, think about how your guests will be getting to the barbeque and choose a venue near the CTrain line when possible. The key to a good venue is accessibility! FOOD Barbeque season is short in Calgary, so it’s important to have fun with your grilling menu while you can! While hamburgers and hot dogs are a good standby, there are many other fun, fresh options for the grill. Pork loin, sausages, and salmon steaks are all fantastic options that offer a bit of variety. Try grilling your corn on the cob and potatoes rather than using an oven or microwave. A grilled fruit salad with gelato for dessert is always a crowd pleaser. Offering something different yet delicious will have your guests asking for seconds! It can be easy to get carried away with your personal favourites, but don’t forget to cater to your crowd. Consider including options for dietary restrictions like lactose-intolerance, Celiac disease
Chicken Kebabs
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Watermelon Mojito
and vegetarian and vegan diets. Speak with your caterer to see if they can offer specialized menus or suggest items that will suit everyone. So how much food do you need? A typical adult guest will eat one to two entree portions with three sides (for example, a pork loin entree with Caesar salad, grilled vegetable and watermelon wedges). Again, think of who will be attending. It would be best to budget for two entrees each for a group of men, but a group of women would likely find one entree each is enough. Budget half portions for children under 10. DRINKS What’s a good barbeque without refreshments? Alcohol may not always be appropriate, but if you choose to serve it, make sure your venue is properly licensed. If necessary, temporary liquor licenses are available at many liquor stores or through your caterer. Aim to provide enough alcohol for each of your guests to enjoy two drinks for the first hour and 1.5 drinks for each subsequent hour. Keep all your guests happy with fun, summery non-alcoholic choices such as sparkling lemonade, agua fresco, or fresh squeezed fruit juices. Whatever style of event you plan, remember to enjoy it! There’s nothing better than good friends enjoying fresh food in the great outdoors. By Kendra Keating SUNTERRA CATERING MANAGER
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FEATURE
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Jill Drader left, and partner Susan Bratteberg right
TRADE ENTERPRISE HOW BUSINESS IN WORK BOOTS IS BRINGING BUSINESS TRAINING TO THE TRADES BY
LINDSAY HARLE
A
researcher, a journeyman, a motivational speaker, an entrepreneur, Jill Drader, founder of Women in Work Boots and Business in Work Boots, is committed to educating and empowering individuals within the trades industry. In 2007, Jill started building her career as a tile setter, when, just two years in she was asked to leave her apprenticeship due to an unexpected pregnancy. Unfortunate, but not enough to derail her from keeping a connection with the trades, Jill began her Master’s degree on women in the industry, focusing specifically on what they love about it and why they stay. Here she learned that while these women loved their jobs, they secretly wanted to be business owners. Yet, this was where they needed the most help; properly setting up their business with the skill or trade they have.
Photography By Charlene Woodman
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FEATURE These interviews were the start of Women in Work Boots, an online network focused on mentoring, motivating, and recruiting women into the opportunistic trades industry. It became a community for people to become involved with, share information, and simply learn more about the industry. Interestingly enough though, while Jill started Women in Work Boots as a place for women in the trades and their stories, in the site’s first few months, most of the followers were men. This surge of male followers tied directly to the content Jill was posting as it was about politics, recruitment opportunities, and business development. With this new understanding of her followers Jill began to shift away from focusing just on women and formed Business in Work Boots to be more encompassing of her entire audience. BUSINESS IN WORK BOOTS Not quite what Jill expected, but as she reflected on her own teaching of other apprentices, as well as her own experience in the industry, she realized that there wasn’t any real information to help guide trades individuals - both male and female alike - with successful business ventures. She was receiving more and more questions about how to build a viable contracting business, how to properly
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build a business within the industry, and so forth. As Jill had already completed the excruciating work of finding this information, of understanding how to start a business, where to look both on and offline, how to set up a trades business with the government (both provincial and federal), she had the answers to these questions. However, there was a clear gap in the post-secondary education of apprentices and the ease of access to information. Jill realized that she had to develop a consulting program to help coach these individuals in how to succeed after they finished their training and joined their trade industry full-time. In her teaching, working, and coaching, Jill saw that there had become this new norm within the industry where consulting and contracting were simply common place to better manage the boom and bust volatility of the industry. Unfortunately, many individuals were starting their businesses without a plan, without the proper legals, and without insurance, which was quite concerning. “What I identified being in the field and being in the trades was that if you are good at your trade, it does not mean that you are good at running your business.” So, she built a course to deliver as a oneto-one coach where people would hire her to come and point out what they needed to do to properly
set up a business. She wanted to help people build safer, more sustainable businesses. Once she helped with these pieces, Jill found her clients were looking for more on sales, marketing and branding, evolving what had started as a small answer to an industry gap. However, with this increase in demand, Jill was starting to become maxed out, simply without enough hours in the day to manage all the requests she received. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY “I was delivering my content in workshops, but it didn’t tie together as I wanted it to. Then, I found [Global eTraining’s] The Generator program and I went ‘Wow!’” The Generator, developed by Global eTraining, to efficiently develop and offer online training programs, was a unique opportunity for Jill to compile all her material and deliver it to a group of people in a timely, effective, all encompassing manner. Through The Generator, she is able to incorporate all her visuals, text, audio, tests, and exercises in one place, amplifying her ability to cater to multiple learning styles of her students, increasing their attention and retention of information. “I can deliver [my course] as a facilitator to a group of people, then users can have access to it when I’m not there if they need to go over something again.
I can grow on this platform also, because behind Business in Work Boots is Sales in Work Boots and Marketing in Work Boots, both of which will be launching later this year as a follow up to what the people I’ve met and have been coaching have asked for.” The Generator was another piece of the puzzle for Jill to help educate and empower those within the industry. With The Generator being a Softwareas-a-Service tool, using the Autodesk platform, Jill has found the ability to load her Business in Work Boots course onto the Women in Work Boots site, giving people access to the course at a time most convenient for them. Susan Bratteberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Global eTraining, highlights that “whenever someone gets to the point where they’re maxed out [like Jill], The Generator is a great way to meet the growing need as it’s a knowledge capture tool.” A GENERATIONAL / GLOBAL SHIFT In fact, as both Jill and Susan admit, there is a generational shift happening within all industries at this point where a lot of the knowledge isn’t stored anywhere other than in someone’s memory. Summing it up, Jill says, “we have a generation that will be exiting this industry with their notebook and pen and the ones coming in are using
It became a community for people to become involved with, share information, and simply learn more about the industry
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FEATURE smart technology. [The Generator] is the perfect complement to what the industry needs right now.” Not only that, but as Susan puts it, “this is a real legacy opportunity for those leaving the industry to share all their knowledge.” All they have to do is brain dump their knowledge into The Generator, and this information will be formatted into a very user-friendly course. It’s really about taking the knowledge that people have - either those leaving an industry, or those maxed out like Jill - and putting it on an easyto-access and easy-to-use platform. And while Global eTraining started in Alberta to help trades people have access to online education, their reach has since gone global, educating people right across the world. For Jill, she sees this global reach as a benefit, particularly with Canada’s expediting of foreign workers in 2015. “If these workers come here and have to set up a contracting business, the [Business in Work Boots] course will have already given them an understanding of how to properly set up a business in Canada.” By educating foreign workers prior to coming to Canada, there will be less safety issues, as well as a clearer understanding of how Canadian businesses should be properly run.
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While this global reach is certainly a huge bonus for Business in Work Boots, and the Canadian industry for better safety and business knowledge, it also has the capacity to reach outside of traditional trades industries, serving industries such as arts, skills, and crafts. With creative industries, like trades, Jill finds that they are great at what they do, but have no idea how to set up their business around it or how to actually make a living off their four year degree where there’s not a lot of employment opportunities. For this reason, Jill isn’t looking to specialize her Business in Work Boots to just the trades industries; she will leave the specialization of industry to the government and educational institutions. Rather, she has built an entrepreneurship course, where online students will learn how to take their education and turn it into a viable business. Jill, along with Susan and Global eTraining’s The Generator, are simply looking to fill niche areas where the government and post-secondary institutions aren’t able to fill. Answering a need through a userfriendly, highly informative course only strengthens Jill’s resolve to empower and educate individuals within trades and creative industries.
Find out more at womeninworkboots.ca & globaletraining.ca
NEW PARTNERS
Women in Workboots president Jill Drader has joined forces with Oilfield PULSE Magazine to provide regular features on diversity in the workplace. Watch for more content and interesting stories in the next issue of Oilfield PULSE.
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LIQUOR LANE
STAMPEDE
DRINK HOW T O PA IN T YO UR T O N S I L S
I
If you were to ask someone what they’re usually drinking during the Calgary Stampede, they will most likely come up with a list of cold beers, coolers, and ready-to-drink cocktails in a can or bottle as their drink of choice. For those of us who take in and celebrate the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, we know that it’s not usually a week where fancy wines and signature cocktails reign, but instead where cold and fast service are the name of the game. However, if you find yourself with the opportunity to tip your hat back and really put your boots up, here are a few products worth slowing down and sipping on while the rest of the city is in full gear.
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LIQUOR LANE
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is technically illegal and hardly ideal, was there a product out there that could quench my curiosity and thirst in one go? Lo and behold, a new product to our market called Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine fits the bill! Arriving from the Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee, this 100% corn based spirit has a recipe that has been passed down through generations of Appalachian families. While it doesn’t pack quite the punch as the old moonshines did (only 20% ABV), it allows other flavors to present themselves. The Tennessee Moonshine comes in a few different flavors, and my personal favorite is the Lemon Drop Moonshine. Poured over ice, it acts as a favorable substitute to lemonade – you could even mix it with iced tea for another great cocktail idea. Cowboys, chuckwagons, and whiskey – what would stampede be without them? While we all come together each year in high western fashion, this is not a contemporary congregation. The High West Rendezvous Rye from High West Distillery in Park City Utah embodies the same spirit and celebration the Calgary Stampede encompasses. The High West Rendezvous Rye is a celebration and
Old Smokey Moonshine
Blanton's Bourbon
Highwest Whiskey
The Show Cabernet
While the weather usually dictates my drink of choice, The Show Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the few exceptions. With famed winemaker Joel Gott overseeing its production, The Show is sourced from some of the most sought after vineyards in California. This unapologetic bold red arrives in the glass with bursting notes of jam preserves, cherries, blackberries, blackcurrants, and tobacco, with toasty vanilla and spicy oak rounding out its finish. The versatility of this wine always impresses me for not only the delicious wine in the glass but also the great value it offers to your wallet. After watching the movie Lawless and watching Shia Labeouf and Tom Hardy make moonshine, I thought to myself, “I could do that, how hard could it be?” Sadly, whether it was a fleeting moment of a grandiose delusion, or sheer laziness that kicked in, I haven’t tried yet. But, it did get me thinking – while moonshine
commemoration of the first recorded “Whiskey Fest” in 1825, where mountain men and prairie boys would annually gather to exchange pelts and cattle for whiskey and other goods. This blend of straight rye whiskey, 16 year old and 6 year old respectively, is an honest whiskey that has no chill filtering, no added caramel color, and a respectable ABV (46%) that makes it go down smooth. Being Utah’s first distillery in 1870, you can safely assume the guys at High West know what they’re doing. Whether you like it neat or on the rocks, this product is a must for rye lovers. When I think of bourbon, I immediately think: Kentucky, Kentucky Derby, and Mint Julep. While there are some people out there that can afford the famed one thousand dollar Mint Julep at the Kentucky Derby, that drink is unfortunately a little steep for most – so, it forces me to look for bourbons that will allow everyone to enjoy one. The bourbon that is my go-to of choice at the moment is the Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold Edition, which was created for the discerning connoisseurs of the bourbon world. It has been made to honor the bourbon pioneer Col. Albert B. Blanton, who spent a lifetime preserving and enhancing the tradition and heritage of this fine spirit. When enjoyed in the glass, this exceptional bourbon brings forth a rich palate of dark fudge, citrus, oak and cream, with the spiciness of white pepper structured throughout. This summer, you don’t have to be in Kentucky to drink a fine bourbon around the track. Whether straight up or in a Mint Julep, this bourbon will not disappoint.
RECIPIE
MINT JULEP Ingredients 4-5 Mint Sprig Leaves 2 sugar cubes or ½ ounce simple syrup 2 ½ ounces of Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold Edition Preparation Place the mint and sugar cubes or simple syrup into a julep cup. Muddle well to dissolve the sugar and to release the oil and aroma of the mint. Add Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold Edition. Fill with crushed ice and stir well until the glass becomes frosty.
By Devin McKay WINE ROOM EXPERT AT WILLOW PARK WINES & SPIRITS
Garnish with the mint sprig.
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CALGARY WOMEN IN ENERGY
VOLUNTEER
POWER CALGARY WOMEN IN ENERGY (CWIE) IS A NON-PROFIT MEMBERSHIP SOCIETY DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING WOMEN WORKING IN THE CALGARY ENERGY SECTOR.
E
stablished in 2003, Calgary Women in Energy embraced their efforts in Community Involvement as one of their founding principles. Each month, Calgary Women in Energy make a measurable and meaningful impact in the community through their charitable initiatives. The power of volunteering encompasses CWIE’s efforts to be socially responsible and accountable. To date, CWIE members have volunteered over 1000 hours at the Calgary Drop-In and Rehabilitation Centre. This combined with the countless hours invested in other philanthropic endeavors has positioned Calgary Women in Energy to be the recognizable group it is today.
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CALGARY WOMEN IN ENERGY If you are not familiar with the facility, the Calgary Drop-In and Rehabilitation Centre (DI) is located on the east side of the Calgary Downtown Core, nestled beside the popular East Village. First time visitors to the DI are often unaware of the breadth of services offered. More than just a safe place to find shelter and a meal, the Drop-In offers a wealth of programs to assist individuals to find their way. Calgary Women in Energy are honored with the opportunity to volunteer in this facility every month, taking home a better understanding of how the DI helps end homelessness every day. Volunteerism is absolutely vital to the DI. The time investment helps make it possible to serve meals, run programs, operate facilities, and care for vulnerable clients. The DI serves approximately 3,500 meals a day, 365 days per year. With this many meals being served daily, they rely heavily on volunteers to make sure everyone gets a meal. Through their work, and advocacy, the Calgary Women in Energy aim to provide community leadership in addressing homelessness through a pay-it-forward philosophy. They believe that an individual’s circumstances do not dictate their worth. Calgary Women in Energy are committed to helping the DI provide emergency and transitional shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness or near homelessness. The centre fosters a caring and respectful environment that affirms self-worth and dignity. They work together to effectively meet Calgary’s changing needs for homeless shelter and care. Someone asked me recently what my dream job would be, my response was volunteering, it
is what drives me. When we transfer our energy from ourselves and focus it on others an entire world unfolds before our eyes. – Sarah Brancaccio, Project Coordinator – Walton International Group Inc., and CWIE Member. Often discussed is the topic of ending homelessness in Calgary, now one of the most expensive cities to live in North America. Volunteering at the DI allows individuals to reflect on their preconceptions of Calgary’s homeless population. Experiencing the facility first hand and connecting with some of its residents directly helped those to see a subtler, more human, side of homelessness. While it is hard to escape the problems so visible on the surface, there is also a wonderful sense of belonging and amity in the centre. Calgary Women in Energy are committed to supporting causes that matter to their members, and their community. They are proud to support the Calgary Drop-In & Rehabilitation Centre. The hard work and dedication of its members helps to empower Calgarians with the skills they need to secure sustainable livelihoods, and ultimately, help them build a better future. For more information on Calgary Women in Energy, please visit www.cwie.org. For information on how to support the Calgary Drop in and Rehabilitation Centre, please visit www.thedi.ca.
By Kristy Hysert DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FOR CALGARY WOMEN IN ENERGY.
FAST FACTS • Over 30,000 different people walked through the DI’s front door seeking help. • Over 1.175 million meals were served. • Over 100,000 clothing items were distributed. • Over 6,000 employment certifications were awarded through The DI’s Employment Services Training program, a program that directly benefited over 500 individuals.
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• Over 15k counseling sessions were provided. • Over 8,500 computer sessions were provided in the DI’s Computer Learning Centre • Over 500 free computers were rebuilt and distributed via The DI’s Computers for Low Income Calgarians program. • Over 380 individuals and families received free furniture. • 60 clients lived in The DI’s affordable housing at year end.
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AERIAL H
oga is a wonderful way to stay physically fit and mentally balanced. The practice has taken root in the Western world and yoga studios, gyms, retreat centres, and even corporate businesses now offer many different types of classes several times a day. As a result, more and more creative styles of yoga are emerging in order to set studios apart. Among these new variants is Aerial yoga. Aerial Yoga is performed on a looped piece of fabric, suspended just a few feet off the ground. The fabric is large enough to encompass the entire body, and strong enough to absorb 2000 pounds of force. Aerial yoga combines the meditative qualities of a traditional yoga practice with the strength and grace of aerial arts. Classic postures are adapted to incorporate the fabric so that often, the practitioner is suspended in midair, hence the nickname, “flying yoga”. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of aerial yoga is that it can support the body through prolonged inversions which help decompress the spine and release bodily tension. This contrasts with classic yoga inversions ( i.e., headstands, handstands, forearm stands, etc.) which require great strength and skill to perform, and usually cannot be maintained for long periods of time due to the great deal of energy they require. The fabric can also assist practitioners in accessing challenging poses, such as arm-balances or stan ding-balances, by supporting their body weight. That way, the student has an opportunity to embody the pose and create muscle memory, while building the strength needed to practice the pose unaided.
Aerial yoga improves coordination and neuromotor function by increasing body awareness in a wider range of spatial perspectives. The brain creates new neural pathways as it learns to navigate through different physical orientations. Aerial poses also help build muscular strength, in particular upper body and core strength, and encourage flexibility and proper structural alignment. These benefits carry over into daily function, eventually creating greater ease in movement and therefore, a higher quality of life. The practice is light-hearted, adaptable, and can easily be modified to suit the level of the practitioner, which makes it an accessible choice for anyone who wishes to improve their overall health and inner wellbeing. Aerial yoga is not recommended for people with glaucoma or other serious eye conditions or pregnant women. Potential practitioners with health concerns should always consult a health care provider before attempting a new activity. Aside from the physical benefits, Aerial yoga is empowering. It helps build trust in oneself, confidence, and the compassion to know when to take rest. As with all yogic disciplines, over time it will help calm the constant fluctuations of the mind, and ultimately aims to connect the mind, body, and soul of the practitioner. By Alexa Kelly YOGA INSTRUCTOR - SHE TEACHES MOKSHA YOGA, HATHA, VINYASA, CORE, AND AERIAL YOGA IN CALGARY ALBERTA. WWW.SOULHOTYOGA.COM.
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THE HUB & THE GLOBAL PETROLEUM SHOW
L
eadstone Group was pleased to attend the 2014 Global Petroleum Show (GPS) held June 10, 11 and 12th in the heart of the energy capital of Canada; Calgary, AB. The GPS is one of the largest energy trade shows in the world, attracting approximately 2,000 companies from 95 countries, and draws over 63,000 attendees. Beginning in 1968, it continues to be a leader in showcasing groundbreaking products, unique innovations, fresh ideas and allows professionals in the field to generate key business connections. The GPS also includes technology demonstrations, the Global Petroleum Conference, networking events as well as numerous training seminars and courses to suit the oil and gas industry needs. We were pleased to join in the show as attendees and look forward to being a part of the GPS as it grows to become a yearly event in the future.
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OUR HUB PREFERRED VENORS
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THE HUB & THE GLOBAL PETROLEUM SHOW
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OUR HUB PREFERRED VENORS
Photography By Kyle K. Fujita
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VESPA’S EVENTS
101 EVENT
NETWORKING Your manager has just ‘voluntold’ you to attend a corporate networking event with explicit directions to mingle and connect with people in your industry.
Once your initial thoughts of despair subside as to why you were the ‘chosen one’, you muster courage and convince yourself you can do this. Dismissing the fact that you are a bit of an introvert, you decide to take the first steps and mentally define exactly what you want to gain from this event and how you are going to navigate through a room full of strangers. Easily done, right? For some people yes, but for most of us, the answer is no.
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VESPA’S EVENTS HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH SUCCESSFUL INTERACTIONS • Dress for success. People are very visual and will give you more credibility and merit if you are in professional attire versus jeans and a t-shirt. You can never be too dressed up. Wear bright colors or a piece of jewellery that stands out to make yourself more memorable. • Always have enough business cards in your pocket or purse to distribute to the people you meet so they remember you and you remember them. Take a slight pause after each person you meet to jot down notes on the back of their card to trigger your interaction when you follow up in the next day or two. • Arrive on time to complete your duties at the registration table. Make sure your name and
Visually scan the room, take a deep breath, keep your goals in mind, and go!
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company are spelled correctly and are clearly labelled on your name tag. Ensure it is visible and at eye level. No one wants to scan your body to find your name tag. • Don’t stand by the people you already know – you can talk to them later. Break out of your shell and make new connections. Look for people standing alone and assume they have trouble breaking the ice just as you do. • Visually scan the room, take a deep breath, keep your goals in mind, and go! • Maintain a two drink limit over the course of the event. You are there to represent yourself and your company, and it is challenging to have a conversation with someone who you feel cannot monitor their alcohol intake. • If there is a line up for food, get in it, and start
making conversation with people who are two or three ahead of you or behind you. They are your captive audience! If it is a cocktail type of event, mingle at the food table. Great conversations start there, and people are more apt to set their plates down and take time to chat with you. Scientifically, endorphin levels are higher when people are close to food which boosts memory receptors. And, who said it’s not about the food? • Make eye contact, smile widely, and introduce yourself. Follow with a firm handshake to make an initial, strong, positive impression, which takes all of seven seconds for the recipient. If you do it right, seven seconds may be all you need. Instigate a light conversation on common ground immediately and use this as a catalyst to get your interaction rolling. • Networking at an event is not about getting
the job or selling the service or product. It is about initiating effective communication and instilling confidence amongst participants so you or your company can create mutually beneficial relationships. This connectivity can then be used as a springboard for future negotiations. The above points will help to exemplify your efforts and showcase them in a proper, respectful, and classy manner. They will assure you and your company are looked at professionally and with dignity, which will propel you in a successful direction. Sylvia M. Vespa
SHINDIGS AND SOIREES, AN EVENT COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY 403-909-9095
Some connections made at the HUB Connect Event
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ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
E NT V I E W R E F IF ON D A
R
E F VE Y A H
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ave a runny nose or itchy eyes? Does going outdoors affect your quality of life because of seasonal allergies? Now that summer is here many people will be suffering from seasonal allergies like hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Don’t want to take pharmaceutical remedies and prefer a natural approach? Well, there may be a remedy for you. There are many supplements and remedies out there, including alternative approaches like acupuncture. Will these remedies/alternatives provide benefit or simply drain your wallet? Be careful when selecting a product, as some are simply based on therapeutic concepts and lack evidence demonstrating benefits in people suffering from allergies. Don’t give up since some products have solid evidence and these may help reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis or hay fever. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of herbal remedies revealed that Butterbur
includes teas, capsules of raw herb, unprocessed tinctures or extracts. Check the label to ensure that it is free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Those alkaloids could seriously cause liver toxicity. Studies show that it is safe to use Butterbur for periods of up to 16 weeks, when free of these alkaloids. Ayurvedic medicine is derived from the ancient Hindu healers and includes the use of herbal remedies. A blend of seven Indian herbs (Albizia lebbeck, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, Phyllanthus emblica, Piper nigrum, Piper longum, and Zingiber officinale) is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Clinical trials in humans showed significant benefits at 6 and 12 weeks. These included improvement in congestion, rhinorrhea, and sneezing compared with placebo. The side effects were minor and mainly mild gastrointestinal problems like gastritis and gastrointestinal discomfort. Another Ayurvedic herbal remedy is made from an
Be careful when selecting a product, as some are simply based on therapeutic concepts and lack evidence demonstrating benefits in people suffering from allergies. (Petasites hybridus) could provide benefit in people suffering from allergic rhinitis. Butterbur grows throughout Europe, as well as parts of Asia and North America. Extracts from Butterbur have been in therapeutic use for more than 2,000 years. Extracts made from the root of Butterbur contain petasins that have been shown to modify the leukotriene pathway. The use of extracts is associated with the treatment of several health conditions, and there is good evidence from clinical trials in humans, demonstrating its use in the treatments of allergic rhinitis. Clinical trials reported significant improvements in allergic rhinitis with Butterbur compared to placebo. It also compared favourably to standard doses of non-sedating (no drowsiness) antihistamines. Overall, Butterbur appears to have a positive effect on allergic rhinitis. If you decide to try a supplement containing Butterbur verify that it is an extract and not unprocessed plant material. Unprocessed material
extract of the stem of Tinofend (Tinospora cordifolia) and has also shown evidence for its use in people with allergic rhinitis. A double-blind, randomized trial showed statistically significant improvement in sneezing, nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, and nasal pruritus, compared with placebo. This herb may have immunostimulant properties as well, so be sure to verify with a health care practitioner to ensure that it is safe for you. An herbal remedy that contains Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark extract, dehydrated Spanish Needle (Bidens pilosa) leaf and stem, and Acerola fruit (Malpighia emarginata) concentrate is also promising. A double-blind, randomised, cross-over trial compared this formulation with the antihistamine drug Loratadine and placebo in people with allergic rhinitis and sensitization to timothy grass pollen. The study participants took each study medication for two days and then underwent a nasal allergen challenge procedure OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
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ALTERNATIVE HEALTH with timothy pollen, after which nasal symptoms were assessed and nasal lavage fluid was examined for allergic mediators. Both the herbal remedy and drug significantly reduced nasal symptoms two to eight hours after the challenge, compared with placebo. However, only Loratadine significantly reduced symptoms acutely during the challenge. The level of benefits with both the herbal remedy and drug was clinically significant. This remedy has been shown to inhibit the production of prostaglandin D2 following the challenge. This suggests a steroid-like action that affects the latephase response of allergic inflammation. Fermented milk products have been shown to provide more health benefits than taking lactic acid and bacteria alone. These products contain bioactive peptides that may be immunostimulatory. There is good clinical evidence supporting the use of fermented milk containing certain bacterial strains in the treatment or prevention of allergy. Studies have shown that it can effectively and safely improve the quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial assessed the benefits from the long-term intake of fermented milk with Lactobacilluscasei on preschoolers (2-5 years of age) with allergic rhinitis. The product studied contained fermented milk with Lactobacilluscasei, Lactobacillusbulgaricus, and Streptococcusthermophilus and was taken once daily for 1 year. The control group received
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
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nonfermented milk. The study showed a statistically significant increase in rhinitis-free days. The cumulative number of episodes was also found to be lower in the fermented milk group. Lactobacillus acidophilus is commonly found in yogurt and other dairy products. It is also found in some probiotics and in fermented soy products, such as miso and tempeh. A randomized, doubleblind, placebo controlled trial was performed to test whether milk fermented with L. acidophilus strain L-92 had any effects on the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis. Patients with allergic rhinitis and high serum IgE were recruited for the study. Milk fermented with L-92 was associated with a statistically significant improvement in nasal symptom medication scores throughout the study period. Nasal cavity findings also had a statistically significant improvement in the treatment group compared to placebo, as did the amount of mucus after 6-8 weeks of treatment. Ocular symptommedication scores in the treatment group also improved somewhat compared to the placebo group; however, the difference lacked statistical significance. Probiotics containing Bifidobacterium longum BB536 (BB536) may also be beneficial. Studies demonstrated that supplementation with BB536 resulted in increased levels of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and decreased levels of harmful bacteria in fecal microflora. A systematic review of probiotics for allergic rhinitis revealed that BB536 probiotic intake improved quality of life scores in
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Tinofend (Tinospora cordifolia)
patients with allergic rhinitis and the number of episodes of rhinitis per year improved. Thryallis (Galphimia glauca) is a plant that grows in the tropical regions of Mexico and Central America. It has traditionally been used by practitioners in Latin America for the treatment of allergies. It is available as a homeopathic remedy and is recommended for the relief of allergy and hay fever (allergic rhinitis) symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy, watery eyes. Evidence demonstrated that it was effective in the treatment of allergies due to its reduction in nasal and ocular symptoms. A meta-analysis of seven randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials and four non-placebo controlled clinical trials were performed. These studies assessed the benefits of this homeopathic remedy in people suffering from acute pollinosis. The results of these studies demonstrated improved eye symptoms. Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine. Clinical studies demonstrated that
traditional Chinese acupuncture can provide modest clinical benefits in people suffering from allergic rhinitis. This benefit was statistically significant compared to control. Bottom line, there are several remediesalternatives that can be used to reduce the frequency and/or intensity of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis or hay fever. Some people may obtain the desired benefits from one of these remedies. As usual, make sure the source of herbal medicine is of good quality and safe, and that it does not interact with the medications or supplements you are taking. Talk to your health care provider or a pharmacist if you are not sure. By Guy Chamberland, M.SC., PH.D., MASTER HERBALIST, HEALTH PRODUCTÂ CONSULTANT CONTACT HIM AT GUYCHAMBERLANDMASTERHERBALIST@LIVE.CA.
ADVOCATE
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PERSON IN PROFILE
MIKE FENN
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y background is in professional golf which has always been a passion of mine. I was a member of the Canadian Professional Golfers Association from 1991-97; playing tours in Florida and California in winter months while teaching at golf courses and resorts in Alberta, Ontario and BC during the summer. Once the realization set in that I was not going to be the next Tiger Woods and expenses were outweighing income, I decided to follow my entrepreneurial instincts in late 1997 and founded Ashira International Inc. which was the world’s first hemp golf apparel company. Turns out that idea was quite a bit ahead of its time, however it did evolve into a retail concept called Hemp & Company which I sold in 2000 that is still flourishing today on the west coast. I always thrive on new challenges. My introduction to oilfield sales began with selling MWD equipment to directional drilling companies in western Canada. A very valuable and educational time of my career, eventually developing an international customer base and making several close friendships along the way. In 2009 I was very fortunate to be offered an opportunity by Dan Eddy and Robert MacCuish to join their team at Millennium Directional Service Ltd; allowing me to showcase my talents in downtown Calgary and be part of the exciting progress our company has made over the past 5 years. Since joining Millennium I have watched our small company double in size to a 15 job capable directional drilling force in the Saskatchewan and North Dakota markets. In 2013 we were named a top 100 Saskatchewan company by Postmedia. This is a huge achievement coming from our somewhat humble beginnings. At the time of its inception in 2005, Millennium shareholders invested $1M to get up and running. A number that is certainly tiny in comparison to the $30M our new competitors are raising for start-up capital these days. Our success is a real testimony to strong management as no additional capital has been required to take us where we are today. millenniumdirectional.com
CONNECTED
VENDOR OF THE MONTH
A Staff of Well-Trained Safety Professionals
100% Western Canadian Owned & Operated
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STAFFING & RECRUITING
SUPPLY CHAIN
CREDENTIALS MEETING THE DEMAND
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s it really any surprise that another indus try has surfaced whereby succession planning, the preparation and awareness of the growth needed to sustain business, and the ever essential training and development to prepare for new and current staff has been overlooked and is now in panic mode? How many times do we need to hear that our baby boomers are retiring and leaving the workforce? How about that freezer you thought you would open after you’ve decided it is time to replenish your diminishing staff that is full of new talent. Talent that has the specific credentials and skill sets you require to continue to do business? Yes that is correct, it doesn’t exist, so what are we doing to better prepare? The future success of the supply chain operations in an organization, which is undoubtedly one of the central services in any industry, relies on the engagement of capable and well trained individuals. Driving current talent towards these vital supply
best! We’ve asked them that question a thousand times already, beginning in school, during interviews and as parents. It should only be fitting that they now have a clear sense of what their life plan will essentially look like. What are we doing to even acknowledge careers in the growing supply chain profession? Think about it, if you were not in a supply chain role, or had no knowledge about this industry, would you have taken the necessary steps to ensure you obtained the necessary training and credentials required so you could work in one of these positions? Enter the education system. It is through this initial step, when our youth tries to determine which career avenue to explore, which courses to choose to get there and what those options look like for them as a profession. I personally believe as well that advertising on social media, in the movie theatre – “way to go Cenovus”, enlisting the assistance of a staffing agency such as Step Staffing,
The necessity for talent in the field of supply chain and logistics management is growing and the global competition to find this talent should be concerning to corporations. chain roles in the quantities required to supply the demand is crucial. The necessity for talent in the field of supply chain and logistics management is growing and the global competition to find this talent should be concerning to corporations. So what is being done to support the awareness and growth to supply the need? The first thing on the list is the necessary attention required from management within our organizations to produce an active initiative on what can be done to attract new professionals to supply chain roles. Our corporations must understand that the nature of work for most people is the opportunity to continue to grow and achieve professional and personal success while utilizing their training, knowledge and skills in a career they worked towards and enjoy. For example, today’s youth are more aware than ever about what they want in their careers, where they want to be in 5 – 10 years, they learned from the
and being visible and ready to answer questions at recruitment fairs can potentially raise the much needed awareness of any industry to a vast amount of curious and capable talent. So here’s what we learned at Step Staffing & Recruiting when researching information on a few educational programs servicing the need for the required credentials and knowledge within Supply Chain and Logistics careers. Did you know that specifically here at home in Calgary, Alberta we have recognized the ever-growing need in this industry and have produced a very proactive solution to meet the demands of this profession? One of our educational partners has a dynamic program to start the awareness process for these essential roles early! The Career and Technology Centre (CTC) at the Calgary Board of Education’s (CBE), Lord Shaughnessy High School, is ensuring our youth in grades 10 – 12 are provided the opportunity to learn OilfieldPULSE | JULY 2014
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STAFFING & RECRUITING and explore a possible Supply Chain and Logistics profession. Starting the buzz early will create the awareness of such roles and allow students to look at a potential career within this industry. Step asked Sanimar Sarpal, Learning Specialist, at the Calgary Board of Education about this exciting new program and what students can expect, Sanimar states, “This Calgary Board of Education’s program provides students with opportunities to learn about the supply chain industry, with the intention of building awareness among students, parents and teachers of this rapidly growing sector. Students are able to access related Alberta Education Career & Technology Studies [CTS] courses through online access, as well as face-to-face. When possible, the CBE has connected with industry partners to provide
Sarpal answered that, “The program is in beginning stages but continues to evolve and grow. The CBE welcomes opportunities with industry to support student learning”. As an Adult Educator, training and development is one of my great passions. I believe, like many, the value a well trained staff can add to any organization. I believe in this engagement of staff because I have seen the results when a company chooses to invest in their people and also the outcomes when they choose not to invest. Any company should not only prepare their employees to be successful within their roles through comprehensive training but it should also provide them the opportunity to continue to reach higher. Ongoing training will produce a consistent growth
This Calgary Board of Education’s program provides students with opportunities to learn about the supply chain industry students with real world work experience, allowing them to understand how supply chain concepts apply to industry”. Step also inquired as to what kind of commitment is involved in this new program? Do students learn about the designations and certifications necessary and where do you suggest they go for their additional training after High School? Sanimar explained that “As part of the program development, the CBE has engaged various post-secondary institutions, professional associations and industry experts. The CBE and these organizations are exploring potential possibilities for ‘learning ladders’ and alignments with programs, to support students transitioning beyond high school. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the many pathways available to them in post-secondary and the world of work related to supply chain”. Step Staffing also wanted to know if there were any other details the CBE would like our readers to know about the new program. Could this program potentially enlist the help of Supply Chain / Logistics industry experts who could assist with this program as volunteers when needed? Sanimar
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of skills meeting the current and future needs of the company. Companies can also benefit by cross training skills that will be vital as your employees move forward in their careers with your organization. In many situations, I have witnessed entire training departments be disassembled during challenging times because there are some that still think that training doesn’t bring in any capital. Let’s face it, your companies tough times are exactly when you need your training department guru’s who understand your culture! The employees left behind after a “restructuring” have to pick up for their coworkers who are no longer with the company. The staff must face these difficult times with you and will need to learn many new skills to keep the business moving forward. Adult Educators both with internal and external programs can be a viable resource generating a positive end result during this transition. Trainers will mentor, support and provide the tools the staff will need on how to be all the more efficient. Without this support businesses may continue to decline losing valued clients and customers. The Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA), acknowledged that companies
with the most skilled and knowledgeable employees will be the most successful. CIFFA will be there to assist its members as they invest in employee development for the future of their company and industry, providing the necessary training required. CIFFA’s Board of Directors are strong advocates of supportive educational programs. Their vast amount of dedicated years within this industry continues to provide valuable knowledge on the educational requirements needed in Supply Chain and Logistics. CIFFA’s education programs benefit from this combined knowledge ensuring their programs promote the most current and up to date trends. When speaking with Stephen McDermott, Director, Education and Training at CIFFA, Stephen stated that half of the CIFFA advanced certificate is dedicated to Supply Chain Management. Within this program you will learn about Logistics and Supply Chain Management; An Introduction to Sales and Marketing as well as International Sales and Marketing and the Greening of Transportation. This advanced certificate also teaches students about specialized freight services. Students have up to three calendar years to complete this certification. As far as meeting the trends – Stephen stated that they consistently add to their education programs with updates as they emerge. Stephen also mentioned that over the last few years he has seen both private and public sector colleges strongly market supply chain business programs. One of those colleges is triOS College in Ontario, Canada which is using strong marketing to attract students. Their website boasts that “The industry, (Supply Chain & Logistics), is booming but is expected to face a vacancy rate of more than 80,000 jobs a year due to retirement and turnover”. This website also showcases graduate success stories and promise that their grads are ready to hit the ground running. The triOS programs provide comprehensive curriculum and practical, hands on instructor led training. www.trios.com/ career/?section=SupplyChain The market for the specific talent required in the field of supply chain and logistics management is very competitive. Many CEO’s are aware that this area needs qualified people or their companies will
be unable to compete in the global economy. Some staffing agencies such as Step Staffing, work with corporations to find talent or work with you and your contractor staff to manage their contract details including their payroll and benefits while supporting the demands of your business. The engagement of youth can be daunting for corporations, as we continue to strive to understand what it will take to connect them to the roles we have. One such youth, Tabitha K states that she was attracted to Supply Chain as a career because someone in her inner circle had made a career out of Supply Chain. Tabitha then started off in procurement and when she mastered that area, she says she felt fortunate that one of her manager’s gave her other tasks such as booking trucks. She then moved into a position whereby she needed to understand what people were asking for and as she had the right team behind her to help her learn and grow in the industry, she was promoted into the world of Exporting. Tabitha loved using her knowledge and skill sets and decided to solidify her commitment to this as a career and enrolled into CIFFA’s certification program. The flexible learning format offered in the CIFFA certification program, allowed her the opportunity to continue to work and grow while earning the credentials she would need within the industry. There are authentic challenges involved in the endeavour to improve this industry’s talent base, as we are all aware. Meeting those challenges head on by partnering with our educational institutions in an effort to gain the necessary qualifications and credentials is key. With the buy-in of management and the certainty that supply chain roles will be highly sought after by corporations, we must ensure that we are putting together a cohesive plan to make the industry appealing to middle aged and young professionals so they will choose to join the Supply Chain and Logistics industry meeting the supply for the ongoing demand. By Connie Cook STEP STAFFING & RECRUITING
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LOCAL EATS
SHARK
CLUB
The Spot: Customers, connections and clients can be situated all over our vast city, from the industrial parks of the Foothills and Greenview to the towers of downtown Calgary. This is challenging when it’s time to ‘grab lunch or a beer sometime’. Shark Club provides the perfect respite for these woes. With one location at Deerfoot Meadows at the intersection of Deerfoot Trail and Glenmore Trail and a new location recently opened up near the heavily travelled north east hubs of Barlow Trail and 32nd Ave, Shark Club provides. Once you traverse to these convenient locations, you are greeted with a 2 storey, standalone building that shouts out a lot more immense impact than a standard sports bar or restaurant tucked in a strip mall or on a boulevard. Within, there is a massive bar, with numerous televisions, various shapes and sizes of seating and a subdued sports theme that is both modern, interesting and attractive. Of course, the first thing that lights up the eye is the wall-filling television covering up both stories of the open space with action. A sports ticker runs scores and updates across the top to make sure no fan’s information is lost. Shared parking with a large hotel lot and a large second storey patio ensure any customer will find their ‘comfort zone’ for a great dining and drinking experience. Both locations also feature large patios, perfect for soaking up the sun, drinking up the beer, and people watching. The Menu: Along with many of the suspects present, pizza, burgers, wings, nachos and sandwiches, the menu also features some sophisticated choices. Some nice cuts of steak and some adventurous items such as a Green Thai Curry Bowl or a Chicken with Sambuca Prawns. A large selection of bottled and draft beer, hand crafted cocktails and hand shaken martini’s grace the liquor card. Excellent
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presentation and quality are put into each dish and there is something to please everyone as they watch the 12 foot hockey player’s dash down the ice on the enormo-screen. The Vibe: A complete social hub. Lunches get busy quick and service is prompt and friendly as required. At night, the hometown teams are featured or various events are put on to keep every crowd entertained and interested. No pretention or unwelcoming air from the service staff or managers.Typically when you get this presentation, you can expect some egos and idiots to be running around, but bartenders have their chest hair covered and servers stay off their cellphones. It is easily noticeable that the management at Shark Club ensure customer satisfaction and atmosphere are number one. What’s special: OK, besides the TV, something else might catch your eye. The servers at Shark Club can make your jaw drop to the floor AND that’s from their second storey. Besides being amicable and professional, these are some of the most beautiful girls in Alberta, seriously. And it’s not done in an offensive, juvenile way. They aren’t dressed like lumber jacks or 80’s cheerleaders. The service is excellent and compliments the food and the restaurant, so you can bring your favourite customer of any stripe, your older sister and, of course, your frat brother and best ol’ boy customer with no concerns. By Chris Grabill www.sharkclubs.com
What’s all the HUBbub about? Changing the way you buy in the oil and gas industry! Better manage and reduce expenses surrounding the sourcing and life cycle management of your services, supplies and rentals.
â–Ş Centralize Preferred Vendor Management â–Ş Supply Chain Order Processing â–Ş Source Projects Faster â–Ş Eliminate Non-Productive Time â–Ş Improve Accountability and Control â–Ş Increase Profitability and Cost Efficiencies
Improve the collaboration and communication within your company and between you and your suppliers Oilfield HUB addresses your productivity challenges as a strategic component of your operations, all within a single web based tool.
Phone: 403-537-6560
Toll Free: 1-866-883-8848
Call us to arrange a private tour of Oilfield HUB!
Sales@LeadstoneGroup.com
www.OilfieldHUB.com