EDMONTON, AB: The 2017 drilling forecast from the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) shows that NDP policies are helping to suppress drilling rig activity in Alberta, and will continue to do so in 2017, the Wildrose Official Opposition said.
CAODC President Mark Scholz cited “the provincial carbon tax” and “uncertainty surrounding pipeline infrastructure” as reasons why Alberta’s 2017 rig count will fall well below 2015 levels.
Wildrose Shadow Energy Minister Leela Aheer said that by imposing a massive $3 billion carbon tax and picking and choosing which pipelines it supports, the NDP government is helping to suppress drilling activity in Alberta.
“The time is now for the NDP government to repeal its risky carbon tax, champion pipelines in every direction and show the oil and gas sector that Alberta is open for business, but these things just aren’t happening,” Aheer said. “In this low-price environment, the government should be doing what it can to incent investment in our major industries, not push it away.”
The new report said the U.S. election should force the “Alberta government to reconsider their position on carbon pricing.” It also showed that Saskatchewan could drill more wells than Alberta in 2017 for the first time since at least 1955.
“Saskatchewan is dealing with the same price of oil we are, and while they’re seeing investment increase, we’re seeing investment flee,” Aheer said. “The facts are clear: risky NDP policies are holding back our economy while stable, predictable, pro-energy policies are benefiting other jurisdictions.”