“Logic is the art of non-contradictory identification. A contradiction cannot exist. No concept man forms is valid unless he integrates it without contradiction into the total sum of his knowledge. To arrive at a contradiction is to confess an error in one’s thinking; to maintain a contradiction is to abdicate one’s mind and to evict oneself from the realm of reality” - Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged Most university philosophy departments loathe Ayn Rand, but that’s ok. True, her fiction and [Read more]
Column: What would Putin do?
If you were running a country, and you’re not sure of the best path forward, a good piece of advice might be: What would Putin do? I get it, he might not seem like the best example. The Ex-KGB despot’s tactics tend to be a bit on the barbaric side, like explaining nature to a kindergarten class by releasing a bunny and a wolf into the classroom simultaneously. But hear me out. First and foremost, I’m no politician, and lobbing advice is easy, and I know that. But some things are [Read more]
Column: The petroleum sector’s carbon emissions drive is going to surprise many as the results start coming in
There is an image bandied about the nation that Canada’s hydrocarbon sector is an out-of-touch dinosaur - steadfastly clinging to the past, yelling at clouds, and holding out for the glory days of the next petroleum boom. In reality, do you want to know what is the hardest part of business in today’s oil patch? Figuring out which emissions-reduction schemes and programs to focus on. There are dozens taking shape, everywhere you look. Those that don’t want to hear it won’t believe it, but [Read more]
Column: Trudeau’s climate architect celebrating two decades fighting climate change – if that was success, the next few decades for hydrocarbons look spectacular
“I’ve been working on #climatechange for 20+ years, and I’ve never been more optimistic that we have the will, capital and technology to solve this wicked problem we’ve made for ourselves. Keep going.” Gerald Butts on Twitter Ugh. Social media. I try to keep my feeds to interesting subjects, but every now and then something like the above sneaks in. This tweet from Mr. Butts took me to his Twitter feed. I sighed and reached for the Advil. Retweets from Greta, climate emergency is happening, [Read more]
Column: 215 reasons (and counting) to move forward resolutely on Indigenous development
“Canadians need to understand; you can't compare what happened to us towards other cultures & ethnic groups…What happened to those groups are tragic & should never be forgotten, but like all Canadians, we share those stories in grief. We share them to inform & educate the world on such tragedies… We do it, because it's the right thing to do. We need to do the same for Indigenous people. I need to do this for my children. I need to do this for myself….Thank you for understanding. [Read more]
Column: “IEA, you call this a serious roadmap?” “Roadmap? Yes. Serious? Well, you need to specify such things up front, no?”
“Bonjour, International Energy Agency. Comment puis-je vous aider?” “Hello. May I speak with someone in English please?” “Ah, oui. I mean yes, you can. I can help you. Well, I don’t know if I can help you. I mean I can speak with you.” “Quit blathering. I’m British. I need a roadmap. And I need it quickly.” “You do not need to be rude. What sort of a roadmap, Monsieur? We are not a tourist agency, you know. Is it possible you are perhaps a little bit, how do you say, swimming in the [Read more]
Column: The next energy boom will have similarities to past ones but will look a little different
Despite the fact that energy is essentially pipes and wires and petroleum and heating ducts, the whole scene has become ridiculously emotional. Never in history has the word ‘pipeline’ brought rooms of people to purple-faced shouting matches. It’s worse than sports arguments, for crying out loud. Therefore, it is sometimes helpful to observe with objectivity, to step back and dispassionately analyze as Sherlock Holmes would. Don’t get emotionally invested. As a good example, consider this [Read more]
Column: Stuff you can’t make up: US pipeline posturing so irrational it can’t be real
Today, let’s put on philosopher hats. I have no idea what they look like, presumably some sort of antisocial adornment that makes sense to those that examine the nature of truth, existence, knowledge, and ethics. Given that background, perhaps on some days, they wear a colander, on others a wooden box, or maybe something made out of twigs and leaves. If you think I’ve taken leave of my senses, I’ll grant you that - you could be right. But I'm not alone. More frighteningly, so have [Read more]
Column: A view inside California’s systemic energy insanity – power outages over hydrocarbons or even nuclear
Ever get hooked on a YouTube spiral, where you start off watching one thing purposefully and by choice, then get hooked by the sequence of algorithmic suggestions, the ones that cleverly blend your interests with whatever Google wants to shove down your throat? And then you realize that the sun has set and three hours have passed? The same thing happens to me when wandering in the weird world of energy. The business used to be somewhat straightforward and tethered to reality, but now it's [Read more]
Column: “Hey! You can’t just run away like that. Can you?”
Last year, perhaps because of covid-isolation, or possibly the related drinking-margaritas-for-breakfast, I had a crazy dream about an Alberta Energy Regulator employee catching Shell trying to leave the province. For whatever reason, the dreams are returning. In this latest episode, the AER was on the same patrol across the grasslands, and made a similar catch. An AER employee spotted a guy crawling under a fence as though escaping. The whole thing looks suspicious, and since the portly guy [Read more]
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