Saskatchewan鈥檚 oil production has rebounded halfway back, from its pre-COVID-19 production levels, to its bottoming out when the crisis hit, to halfway back again.
Saskatchewan Minister of Energy and Resources Bronwyn Eyre took part in the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors 鈥淪tate of the Industry鈥� on Nov. 18, hosted via Zoom from Calgary.
Speaking by Zoom from Saskatoon, Eyre noted Saskatchewan announced its Accelerated Site Closure Program in the spring, initially issuing more than $35 million in work packages. That was part of the $400 million allocation from the federal government, which she called 鈥渁n important lifeline.鈥�
鈥淭he whole goal, from our perspective here, in Saskatchewan, was to get the money out the door quickly, efficiently, and Sask. first. The RFP (request for proposals) process opened June 15, and the first $100 million of that first tranche of funding was allocated to about 200 eligible and oil and gas operators about 10 days later,鈥� Eyre said. 鈥淭hat allocation was important, because eligible licensees needed the certainty to know the amount they were eligible for going forward. Overall, it looks as if 2,000 jobs in the sector will be supported by this program in Saskatchewan, and work has been underway in every oil and gas region in this province.鈥�
She noted that a campaign promise during the October election was to provide a 10 per cent rebate for all SaskPower customers for one year. 鈥淚t鈥檒l be interesting to hear feedback on that,鈥� she said.
Regarding oil production, Eyre said, 鈥淪eptember saw Saskatchewan producing 434,000 barrels per day, which was up from a low of 361,000 in May, but still below the 502,000 when COVID hit in March.
鈥淥verall, 815 wells have been drilled in Saskatchewan this year, which is down over 40 per cent compared to the same period last year,鈥� she said.
鈥淭hat said, over 50 per cent of shut-in production has come back online, so hope springs eternal.鈥�
Eyre said in addition to 鈥渁 strong, well-regarded royalty regime鈥� and waterflood program, the province is looking at other incentives.
Even before COVID-19 hit, the province introduced research and development, as well as infrastructure incentive programs.
The province is also making its way through the periodic table, with diversification in areas like hydrogen, helium and lithium.
