The Oil Boom

[sanch]

Some choice quotes:

With oil prices high again, Alberta is hopping once more — but with a twist. The skyline of Calgary, the business center of the province, is about to be altered by a large real estate project, and a big new jet runway to handle the influx of oil workers is already in place. While poker is still popular, conspicuous consumption these days includes such costly indulgences as white truffles and Mercedes-Benz convertibles.

In Fort McMurray, the town closest to the oil sands, truck and bulldozer drivers come from as far away as Newfoundland and Labrador to earn six-figure salaries. They are buying up expensive pickup trucks as if they were toys.

The town's population has increased to 61,000, from 33,000 in 1996, and housing is in such short supply that the average mobile home now sells for $277,000 Canadian dollars ($237,000) and couches are renting for about 500 Canadian dollars a month ($428).

Restaurants, wine stores, art galleries and luxury car dealers are doing frenzied business. At a benefit auction earlier this month, one bidder paid more than 13,000 Canadian dollars ($11,120) to go fly-fishing on a local river with Ron A. Brenneman, president and chief executive of Petro-Canada. "I don't see any black clouds on the horizon," Mr. Brenneman said with a smile.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/28/business/28alberta.html

 

[LittleRunningGag]

Thats why the wife and I are leaving the province. We can't afford to go to school and eat at the same time. Unfortunately not everyone receives the benefits of this province.

 

[The Gunslinger]

That's Fort Mac though. Fort Mac. is going through a 21st Century industrial revolution.

A huge population explosion, lack of infrastructure, etc.

I'd say the rest of the province is growing at a sustainable rate.

 

[#juan]

I was in Fort McMurray in 1965-66

I worked for Bechtal. I don't think I've ever made more money per month than I made at Fort Mac.

link

 

[The Gunslinger]

Seriously though, the population has nearly doubled in 15 years. Of course there's a strain on the infrastructure. If this keeps up, Fort Mac might (who am I kidding, will) eclipse Red Deer.

 

[#juan]

They will probably

be digging that oil out of the ground for the next forty or fifty years. Hell, Ft.Mac might eclipse Edmonton.... :wink:

 

[The Gunslinger]

I wouldn't lose that thought #Juan, it could very well happen.

 

[#juan]

I haven't been there since early 1967 and at that time there couldn't have much more than a couple thousand people in Ft. McMurrey. I remember somebody saying that the camp had more people than the town. I'd like to go back and see what the place looks like.

 

[cortez]

Yeah- a Fort Mac mall- maybe even a casino...
The amazing advances that oil production brings to a place.

 

[Eazy]

Do the oil rigs shut down in the summer? When do the workers get a break?

 

[LisNJai]

Funny you are all saying this... My hubby and I just came from a family reunion in Sherwood Park.. we are thinking of leaving Lethbridge.. and getting him to where the money is.. He is a Journeyman Welder and has been welding since he was roughly 16 years of age.. He is now 36.. Is there somewhere that I could get info on jobs at all in the Fort Mac area.. or Red Deer... if anyone has any info on this.. would be wonderful of you to pass them on to us at boysrus3@shaw.ca.. He is willing to take his B-Pressure if necessary as well...
Thank you tons..

 

[muzzymoe]

come on i'm sure there are people who would like to save 20% on fuel!?