CALGARY - A new technology that transforms heavy crude oil into pill-sized pellets could cure the oilsands industry's transportation headaches, according to University of Calgary professor Ian Gates. The newly patented technique creates self-sealing balls of bitumen of various sizes that can then be moved in coal rail cars or transport trucks with less risk of environmentally harmful spills, thus reducing the need for new pipelines, he said. The technology was discovered [Read more]

SASKATOON - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touched on the thorny issue of carbon pricing in a fundraising speech in Saskatoon on Thursday night. Outgoing Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has threatened to challenge the carbon pricing plan in court, saying it would be disproportionately punitive to Saskatchewan and doesn't take into account measures already taken to reduce emissions such as the province's carbon capture facility. "We're taking action on a number of issues I know mean [Read more]

CALGARY - ATB Financial has declared Alberta's worst recession in three decades over with expected economic growth of 3.2 per cent this year. The provincially-owned bank warns, however, that challenges remain, especially in the energy sector where oil prices have been stuck around the break-even price of US$50 a barrel. ATB's financial outlook says the low oil price has led to only modest increases in drilling activity and hiring, while overall the oil and gas sector has at best [Read more]