As OGJ readers know, the anthemic superlative indicated by the above headline might just as easily apply to an assessment of Canada's energy resource prospects as it does to its citizens' patriotism.
It may not surprise anyone to learn that the US, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia are the world's largest primary energy producers. But which country weighs in at No. 5? The UK? Norway? Iran? Nope. As a less-anthemic ditty goes: Blame Canada.
The giant of North America's northern reaches is also the world's third-largest producer of natural gas.
And it is the No. 1 producer of hydropower worldwide.
US energy consumers beset by soaring oil and gas prices and power shortfalls owe a debt of gratitude to their neighbors to the north for those situations not being even worse. Canada was by far the biggest exporter of natural gas and the third largest exporter of oil to the US in 2000, at estimated respective volumes of 3.3 tcf and 1.4 million b/d.
Canada's prospects
Canada's prospects for tomorrow are glowing as well. To tap an oil sands largesse pegged at 300 billion bbl potentially recoverable out of a total in-place resource estimated at 2.5 trillion bbl, Canadian companies have recently announced plans for new projects and expansions of existing ones that are estimated to cost more than a combined $19 billion (Can.).
Gas exports to the US are certain to rise as well, especially if the speculated pipeline from the Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea area brings that region's massive gas resource to market. And new frontier plays are unfolding in the Northwest Territories and off eastern Canada.
With another upturn looking firmer for the foreseeable future every day, Canada is a country fairly brimming over with petroleum activity and opportunity.
Our Canadian correspondent
Oil & Gas Journal has covered Canada for decades as thoroughly as befits one of the most important petroleum countries in the world. A look at the 2000 OGJ index reveals that our coverage of this country is second only to that of the US. While this includes byliners by outside authors, the lion's share of this coverage has come from one man: Jim Stott.
Jim has been covering Canada's petroleum industry as a newspaper and magazine writer and editor since the early 1970s. He is a former energy editor, columnist, and business and financial editor for the Calgary Herald.
Stott has been associated with OGJ for several decades as a freelance contributor and has written many lead stories on Canadian energy development for the magazine.
Recent assignments have included a special report on Canadian frontier developments and work as one of a team covering the World Petroleum Congress in Calgary for OGJ Online.
Stott's career also includes stints as an information officer for the University of British Columbia and as a writer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., Vancouver Sun, and Time.
OGJ strategy
While we feel our coverage of Canada is second to none, we are nevertheless going to take things to the next level.
Readers will note on the masthead that Stott is now listed as Special Correspondent-Calgary. Although still working as a freelancer, he has a new mission for us. While we still intend to continue to cover all the breaking news from Canada, OGJ online and print readers soon will also see a greater number of Canada-focused, in-depth features, analytical articles, executive and company profiles, and industry trends coverage from Stott. This will include more articles on the growing international clout of Canadian companies.
It's all part of our continuing effort to shine a light on the industry in every corner of the world. Even though we are a US-based publication, OGJ will continue to be a publication of international scope in both online and print venues.
It's another example of how OGJ remains committed to delivering the best editorial value to its tens of thousands of print and online readers.
Count on it.
