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Industry leaders/pioneers recognized at Oil Show

The who's who of the oilfield biz converged on Weyburn this week to attend the 14th biennial Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show. Over 200 exhibitors from Saskatchewan and across the country filled Weyburn's two hockey rinks and Exhibition Grounds.
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(L-R) Oil and Gas Recognition Awards co-chair Murray Propp and Premier Brad Wall presented Scott Saxberg, President and CEO of Crescent Point Energy, with the Saskatchewan Oilman of the Year Award on June 1, along with award co-chair Bonnie DuPont.


The who's who of the oilfield biz converged on Weyburn this week to attend the 14th biennial Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show. Over 200 exhibitors from Saskatchewan and across the country filled Weyburn's two hockey rinks and Exhibition Grounds.


Although the event was meant to kick-off on May 31 with a golf tournament for exhibitors and guests, the tournament was cancelled due to rain. This was the only hiccup in the carefully planned event, according to Oil Show Chairman Ron Carson of Carson Energy Services.


"We were supposed to have 144 golfers in the morning and 144 in the afternoon but no one wanted to golf in that cold and wet weather," said Carson.


He mentioned that the Steak and Lobster Dinner that evening was a big hit, serving approximately 1,200 people.


Carson said that this year's Oil Show was bigger and better than ever "because nobody is out there working" due to the wet weather and muddy fields.


The show was officially underway June 1, when the Saskatchewan Oil Industry Board of Governors presented the Oil and Gas Recognition Awards during a luncheon with guest speaker Premier Brad Wall.


Scott Saxberg, President and CEO of Crescent Point Energy, was named Saskatchewan Oilman of the Year. The award recognizes an individual or team currently working in the Saskatchewan oil and gas sector that is making a significant contribution to the growth and success of the industry in the province.
"Even though he is originally from Manitoba, Scott embodies the spirit of momentum and innovation that we see in the Saskatchewan oil and gas sector today. His work in the Bakken play and other areas has redefined the direction of the industry in the province," said Bonnie DuPont, former Enbridge executive and co-chair of the awards.
Also honoured at the awards luncheon were the recipients of the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Hall of Fame Awards. These awards recognize exclusively Saskatchewan-born oil industry leaders who have had a significant impact on the industry in Saskatchewan and beyond.
The 2011 Hall of Fame recipients included: Al Schreiner - former President and CEO Stream-Flo Industries, originally from Humboldt; Art Dumont - former international Senior Vice-president of Operations for Bawden Drilling, originally from Kennedy; Charles Fischer - former President and CEO of Nexen, originally from Saskatoon; Doug Annable - former President of the Energy & Mining Division of AMEC, originally from Saskatoon; John K. Read - former President and CEO of the Colt Companies, originally from Carlyle; Michael Chernoff - co-founder of Pacalta Resources, originally from Kamsack; and Timothy Hearn - former chairman and CEO of Imperial Oil, originally from Regina.
"These individuals have been some of the best and brightest in the petroleum industry - not just in Saskatchewan, not just in Canada, but around the world. They are a testament to the leadership and talent our province produces," said awards co-chair Murray Propp, CEO of Paxton Energy.
During the luncheon, Premier Wall vowed to keep the "Saskatchewan Advantage" going. He outlined his government's three-part plan.


"We're not going to jack around with royalties in this province," Wall stated firmly to enthusiastic applause from the crowd.


Wall said that, although the Saskatchewan Party has made a record investment in health care, more work needs to be done. He mentioned Weyburn's need for a new hospital.


Thirdly, Wall vowed to do all he can to defend the oil and gas industry "in the U.S., around the world, in the rest of the country and in the federal government, as they look at new environmental policies."


During an interview with members of the media, Wall again took up the issue of government royalties.


"We are the second largest producer in Canada - we're catching up to Alberta," said Wall. "I think in 18 months or two years we may surpass the province of Alberta as the number one producer of conventional oil. It creates a lot of jobs in the province; it generates a lot of revenue for the government too. That's why we need some stability with respect to royalties."


Wall said that raising government royalties like Alberta did would be bad for Saskatchewan's oil industry.


Later that evening, the Southeast Saskatchewan Oilmen of the Year Awards were presented to two men - one from the Weyburn-area and one from the Estevan-area. Guest speaker of the evening was Minister of Energy and Resources Bill Boyd, who was also honorary chairperson of the Oil Show.


David Bergum and his partners opened TS&M Supply in Weyburn in 1974. He also started Maverick Supply in 1994, growing the business to six stores.


Brent Dunnigan of Alameda took the other Oilmen of the Year title.


The show continued June 2 with a breakfast, a luncheon featuring guest speaker Saxberg, exhibits and seminars.