It’s time for another edition of our weekly column from the A-Team. Here is some important news for the week.
It looks like two major oilsands companies are to merge next year. Husky Energy is planning to buy MEG Energy Corp for $6.4 billion:
Calgary-based Husky Energy makes $6.4B hostile bid to acquire MEG Energy
In a statement issued Sunday afternoon, Husky says the proposed merger “will create a stronger Canadian energy company.”
The new, Calgary-based operation would have the capacity to produce more than 400-thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day.
The proposal has been unanimously approved by Husky’s board of directors, and will be open for acceptance by MEG shareholders until Jan. 16.
Husky says MEG’s board refuses to discuss the deal, which led to the takeover bid. fortmcmurraytoday.com
As a takeover, the merger is not guaranteed just yet, but the potential new company could have a lot more potential for developments in the oilpatch.
In another oilsands-related development, Imperial Oil's prospective Aspen project moved ahead just a bit when a public hearing was cancelled this week:
Aspen oilsands project hearing cancelled after Fort McKay First Nation strikes deal with Imperial
In a notice on its website, the AER says it doesn’t need to schedule a hearing on the 162,000-barrel-per-day Aspen project after the Fort McKay First Nation withdrew a request to participate.
The regulator says the First Nation has indicated it would address project concerns directly with Imperial.
AER says the panel for the Aspen project requested and received additional information from the company and decided there are no issues that need to be reviewed in a public proceeding without participants. h/t mymcmurray.com
The project is still in the approval stage, but the first phase would produce 75,000 barrels a day for $2.4 billion.
Elsie Yanik school in Fort McMurray
Credit: Mix 103.7
After hitting lows just following the 2016 wildfire, the region's student population is growing at increased rates. Both Public and Catholic school districts grew this year, along with Keyano College:
Student Enrolment Up For Local Districts, Keyano College
Numbers from the Public School District show a growth of 530 students year over year – with about 5,999 kids attending one of its 16 schools.
While the Catholic School District is seeing a 6 per cent increase – sitting at approximately 6,500 students.
Keyano College Numbers On The Rise
Keyano College is also seeing an increase in student enrolment with 1,708 people signed up for the 2018-19 Academic year, which is 93 more than last year.
The higher numbers are evidence of Fort McMurray's growing returning population, and more notably, the higher numbers of people electing to have their kids in the community.
That’s all for this weeks’ roundup. Check back on The A-Team blog for more news and updates on Fort McMurray.