Ontario oil and natural gas industry assets are assessed under the provincial Assessment Act for municipal taxes purposes. Section 25 of the Assessment Act specifically covers pipelines. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) provides the assessment of pipelines to enable counties and municipalities apply the yearly taxes. Any disputes a company has regarding the assessment of its pipelines is reviewed by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). An Ontario producer, Tribute Resources Inc., appealed its MPAC pipeline assessment to the OEB in 2015. The OEB upheld the assessment. Tribute Resources Inc. is appealing the decision to the Ontario Divisional Court. The appeal will be heard on November 29, 2017 in London, Ontario.

The days of ‘drill, baby, drill’ are gone. Now crude-pumping companies are bringing efficiency and savings to the forefront as they try to compete in a world where prices are on the rise, but stability is threatened by a shifting political landscape. After years of slashing costs, executives are promising to not make the same mistakes of the past when they spent recklessly on low-return projects and let cos s soar. For the full story go to: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/alberta-oil-comeback-commodity/article37019247/

An H2S Alive Training course is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st at the Ramada Inn, London. Fill out and return attached registration form to attend. H2S-Nov 21, 2017

The OPI has been given “intervenor status” in the Tribute Resources Inc. Appeal to the Ontario Divisional Court of a decision of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) on its pipeline municipal taxes.

Tribute had taken issue with the assessment of its pipelines by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Under the Ontario Assessment Act disputes related to pipelines are decided by the OEB. Tribute argued in its application to the OEB that its pipelines are not gas transmission pipelines used for distribution purposes. The OEB upheld the MPAC assessment.

In granting the intervention the Divisional Court determined that the OPI had an interest in and would bring a wider context to the matter and the OPI members could be adversely affected by the decision. The appeal is expected to be heard in late November of 2017.

Analysts are predicting that after three years of rock-bottom prices the demand for oil in industrialized countries may result in a shortfall of crude. With three years of f declining investment it may be difficult for the industry to ramp up exploration and production.Surge in oil demand

Canada has been long regarded for its potential as an “energy superpower”. Does that description still fit today – and will it be appropriate tomorrow? Energy represents a significant part of the Canadian economy with oil production growing in the past decade while natural-gas production has softened. Read more from the Conference Board of Canada on Canada as a super power Can Canada remain an ‘energy superpower

Canada’s economic growth in the country exceeded expectations in May with the energy sector recording its fastest yearly growth since October 2000 with an increase oil and natural gas production by 7.6%. Read the complete story at: www.nationalnewswatch.com/2017/07/28/economic-growth-blows-past-expectations-in-may-powered-by-energy-industry-2/#.WYoIm-mQw2w

The Supreme Court of Canada recently released two rulings on projects approved by the National Energy Board. The approvals were challenged by Indigenous Canadian communities that took issue in both cases with the “duty to consult” in the Canadian Constitution. Read the complete story at:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/globe-editorial-the-duty-to-consult-indigenous-canadians-and-its-limits/article35812555/

After a 10 year decline the number of gasoline stations in Canada increased for the second consecutive year. A survey by the retail fuel industry consulting firm showed a net increase of 15 outlets in 2016, taking the total to almost 12,000 or about three stations for every 10,000 people. The complete story can be read at: www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/national-gas-station-count-growing-thanks-to-stronger-profit-margins/article35006524/

The development of Ontario’s oil and natural gas resources was the focal point of a keynote address at the 55rd Annual Ontario Petroleum Institute Conference and Trade Show held May 24-26, 2017 in Grand Bend, Ontario. Bob Delaney, the Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Energy had a positive message for delegates on how oil and natural gas fits into a low carbon clean energy economy. Mr. Delaney’s comments on the OPI’s submission to the 2017 Ontario Long-Term Energy Plan suggest Ontario’s interest in moving forward with the exploration and development of the province’s oil and natural gas resources. 2017 OPI Conference – Keynote Speech