Pipeline Online Podcast

The Petroleum Technology Research Centre, or PTRC, is tasked with finding ways to increase Saskatchewan's petroleum production. Erik Nickel is a professional geologist and the new president and CEO of the PTRC. 

Helium Evolution is an active player in the Saskatchewan helium space. Helium is one of the materials dramatically affected by the Iran War. James Baker is chair of Helium Evolution and one if its founders. In 2024 he was honoured as a Southeast Saskatchewan Legend.

Back in 2018, then-Senator David Tkachuk made a rather prophetic speach about the impacts of Bill C-69. We talked to him about that, what's happened since, and what's going on with the two most recent pipeline announcements to the west and east of Alberta. Tkachuk thinks all the government involvement could be a way of nationalizing the pipeline industry. Check it out. Originally broadcast July 6, 2026

Jason LeBlanc and Jake Predinchuk of Steffes Auctioneers explain how auctions are a key part of the business cycle in the energy industry.

On June 3 we ran into Regina-Qu'Appelle MP Andrew Scheer at the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show. In this episode, recorded June 8, we touch base on what's happening with energy on the federal stage. Will the Liberals ever allow another pipeline to be built to the coast? 

Doug Martens will be honoured on June 3 at the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show as the Southeast Saskatchewan Oil Person of the Year. He's president and CEO of Primec Controls, formerly Estevan Meter and Virden Meter. The company has expanded over the years into Manitoba, North Dakota and Alberta. Where others have see difficulty with regulatory changes, Primec has seen opportunities to assist their clients. 

Former Regina-Lewvan member of parliament Erin Weir is a Saskatchewan economist who has done a lot of work on royalties. He recently published a paper taking another look at potash royalties. The discussion tackled that, but also other resources like oil, lithium and coal. 

Paul Colborne is the 2026 Oil Person of the Year, and will be honoured as such on June 3 at the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show in Weyburn. His lengthy career includes Husky Oil, Wascana Energy, Startech Energy, founder and initial president and CEO of Crescent Point. And now he's president and CEO of Surge Energy. Register for the awards banquet at oilshow.ca. Paul talks a lot about how technology developments have led to growth in the oilpatch. As a side note: see all the pumpjacks in the intro? He was involved in most of those wells. And the pumpjack that's part of the Pipeline Online logo was Astra Oil, which is now owned and operated by Surge.  

Dr. Stuart Smyth is a professor with the College of Ag and BioResources at the University of Saskatchewan. There's a lot of interactions between the ag and energy worlds, including the Clean Fuel Regulations.

Ron Wallace and Tammy Nemeth join the Pipeline Online Podcast. Wallace is a former member of the National Energy Board, and Nemeth is an energy analyst, originally from Saskatchewan but now based in the UK. Why does Canadian-produced oil and gas need to be decarbonized, but imported oil and gas, or product from Newfoundland, does not? That’s a really good question…