Pipeline Online Podcast

Should Saskatchewan rejuvenate its coal-fired power generation fleet? This episode is a debate on that topic, with sustainable energy consultant Mitch Carlson, as the guest. Carlson worked as an engineer for SaskEnergy and is originally from Craik. He now has a sustainable energy consulting business based on Vancouver Island. The discussion goes into reliability, cost of natural gas, unreliability of wind and solar, and much more. 

Chris Beaudry, Saskatchewan Minister of Energy and Resources, joins the Pipeline Online Podcast to speak about the ontoing trade war, pipelines, Venezuela, and growing Saskatchewan oil production. Beaudry will be speaking at the upcoming Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show in mid-September. 

The Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show is coming up Sept. 16 and 17, and Mayor Gerald Aalbers has had heavy involvement with it over the years. If Saskatchewan is going to significantly grow oil production, it's going to be in the Lloydminster area. The conversation also covers pipelines and possible nuclear development. 

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.