PumpTalk - Petro-Canada

Sister blogs

PumpTalk was our company’s first foray into the blogosphere and we have since participated in other forms of social media. For instance, we've created Suncor Response, a blog that helps us convey information about relevant events we are responding to. Today, we have that site directed to our response to the situation in Libya. We also provide an online newsletter, Oil Sands Question and Response (OSQAR). In fact, a recent OSQAR post, Why it does matter where your oil comes from, talks about how the unrest in North Africa and the Middle East have once again reminded us how the price of gasoline is linked to both the demand for oil and the stability of oil supply.

Rising Pump Prices

Unless you don’t own a car, you’re probably aware of the increase in gas prices over the last day or so. I saw an interesting news article this morning on why the price has risen so dramatically and thought I would share it with folks out there in case you haven’t seen it either. It explains why the price has risen but if you want more information on how pricing is decided, then an earlier post on PumpTalk might give you some more context.

Minding our Beeswax

After careful consideration, we've removed this morning's post entitled "No swimming or fishing?" We know there is much debate and discussion right now about the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. We also know it's a sensitive topic and one to be left to those that are directly involved.

We extend our best wishes to all of the companies and inviduals who are working hard to address the issues with the incident. At Suncor Energy, we continue to work hard  and maintain our focus on safety, environmental sustainability, reliability and people. Our employees across Suncor dedicate themselves every day to ensure safe and reliable operations at all of our assets and facilities. It's our commitment, our job and our license to operate.

The Straight Goods…

Media coverage and water cooler discussions are increasing as we move closer to the July 1st implementation date for the HST in BC and Ontario.

There is a lot to learn about the Harmonized Sales Tax and what it means for the residents of each province (Am I eligible for a tax rebate?  What taxes apply to diapers?  Is that sandwich going to cost me more after July 1st?). 

As a business operator in both provinces, we have spent a lot of time deciphering what it all means for our company (painstaking work and, if nothing else, I have a greater appreciation for our accounting team).

Oil Spill impact on Gas Prices?

I’ve been watching, with great sadness, the tragic oil spill in the Gulf. With the situation continuing I wondered how, if at all, this would affect gas prices. Though this video is pretty relative to the US, it gives a pretty good overview of the situation and trading routes that affect supply.

Hindsight is 20/20

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since the tragedy at the British Petroleum (BP) Texas City refinery. The March 23, 2005 explosion killed 15 people and injured another 170, the U.S. nation's worst and most fatal industrial incident since 1990. It’s sobering to think about how many lives were impacted by an incident that, as the reports following the investigations showed, could have been prevented. I still remember watching the images on the television following the explosion. I had just moved from another industry to continue my public relations career in the world of refining and energy and thought to myself as I watched the coverage of the BP incident, “I work for the energy industry and a refinery, now. I hope I never have to go through this situation.”

Following tragedies like the BP incident in Texas City, the critical question is always why? What really happened that day five years ago so that it can be prevented in the future? There are learnings from the incident investigations.  The Texas City explosion occurred when part of the plant’s isomerization unit, which raises the level of octane in gasoline, overfilled with flammable liquid hydrocarbons. The flammable liquid and vapor ignited as the unit started up. Alarms and gauges that were installed and meant to warn of the overfilling equipment failed to work. More specifically, the investigations pointed to an outdated pressure release system called a blowdown stack that was at the heart of the failures.

Hot & Spicy Topic

Discussion of a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is heating up in Ontario and British Columbia.  Many consumers have been wondering what will happen after July 1st of this year when these provinces roll out this change.

A year ago, Pumptalk gave you HST and Gas Prices 101 – Jon Hamilton did a fine job of outlining the issue in Ontario and providing some examples - this info still works well today.

We will be keeping an eye on this – we suggest that you do the same.

A Dying Breed?

My time in the energy business began at an early age – at fifteen, I had a summer job pumping gas.

Apart from having to wear brown coveralls, I thought being a ‘gas jockey’ was a great job.  I enjoyed being outside and the customers seemed to appreciate having their windows cleaned and receiving help with topping up washer fluid, engine oil, etc.

Safe driving tips – what’s out there? Plenty!

As a mom who spends a considerable amount of time behind the wheel catering to her children’s athletic and social wishes and demands…….(sigh.)…. I am always on the look out for tips/tricks to make my drive easier/safer/cheaper!  So I thought I’d start the new year off by doing some ‘safe driving’ surfing and see what’s out there. Now keep in mind that while the internet is a fantastic source of information, there are a lot of shoddy characters who are just trying to lure you into their site for inappropriate purposes….so safety surfer, beware.

Pump Talk: Best of 2008

What would the end of another year be without a look back at the highs and lows of the last 12 months?  PumpTalk celebrated it's first birthday sometime in September (exact date is still up for debate), which means 2008 was the first full-year of "being part of the conversation".   I'm getting a little tired of that phrase, but it still has meaning because we certainly were part of some interesting conversations in 2008.

So, for our loyal readers or those just dropping by, allow me to share the highs, lows and funny bits that stuck out in a pretty remarkable year.