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People involved in the Lloydminster region's heavy oil industry are looking towards technology and investment to drive the sector's next phase of growth.
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EdmontonLloydminster Heavy Oil Show highlights growing optimism for industry’s futurePeople involved in the Lloydminster region's heavy oil industry are looking towards technology and investment to drive the sector's next phase of growth.Producers planning new projects and expanding existing operations as optimism returns to sector
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People involved in the Lloydminster region's heavy oil industry are looking towards technology and investment to drive the sector's next phase of growth.
Dozens of exhibitors gathered Sept. 15 to Sept. 17 at the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show in the city that straddles the boundary between Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The biannual show had 208 exhibitors, with attendees arriving from around the world.
Andrew Oracheski, the chairman of the 2026 event, spoke about the increased activity to CBC News.
“It's a pretty positive and optimistic show this year,” he said.
The optimism comes as companies invest in new ways to produce more and to improve efficiency.
Strathcona Resources Ltd. is an oil and gas company based in Calgary with operations in the region. It currently produces approximately 125,000 barrels of oil per day and aims to reach more than 200,000 barrels per day within five years.
Dale Babiak, the company’s chief operating officer, said the growth will come from new and expanded thermal operations.
He added that much of the production will come from increased operations in Saskatchewan and the Cold Lake area in Alberta.
In the Cold Lake area, Strathcona Resources is currently producing around 65,000 barrels per day and hopes to increase that to 150,000 per day.
“[For example], with projects like the twinning of our Lindbergh asset, which we're hoping to sanction in the fall of 2027 [and] which would add another 22,500 barrels a day, taking it to 45,000 barrels," he said.
Technology is also being developed by energy firms to address smaller problems that can have a big impact on production.
Benjamin Gagnon is the engineering manager at Evolution Artificial Lift, which is based out of Calgary. He said the company has spent the last four years developing tools to address vibration in progressing cavity pumps.
The company’s anti-vibration system is designed to extend the life of pumps, tubing and rod strings, reducing the time crews need to spend working on wells.
Gagnon said much of the company’s technology testing has taken place in the Lloydminster area.
He added that the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show allows his company to highlight the work it is doing.
"In this region specifically, it's a good opportunity for showcasing the best that Canada has to offer,” Gagnon said. “We can produce oil efficiently and cleanly as well.”
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Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Minister Chris Beaudry spoke about the growing global demand for energy and said both Alberta and Saskatchewan will have a role to play in meeting it.
“There are a billion people who live with the standard of living that we have, and there's seven billion people who want this standard of living, and that's only going to happen by the expansion of energy,” he said. “And that's going to happen here, not 20 miles away.”
