Who Are the Wealthy Alberta Figures Behind Delinquent Oil and Gas Companies?

In the realm of business and philanthropy, few names shine brighter in Alberta than Don Taylor. His contributions have left a significant mark on the province, with buildings bearing his family's name found at local universities and arts centers, and even a new polar bear exhibit at Calgary Zoo. Taylor has made waves as an officer of the Order of Canada and an inductee into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame, celebrated for transforming Engineered Air into one of North America’s premier manufacturers of HVAC systems, and for spearheading the ambitious Three Sisters Mountain Village development in Canmore.

However, there is a less flattering side to Taylor's profile: he is one of the owners of oil and gas companies that are failing to meet their cleanup obligations. According to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), one of these companies owes over $180,000 in unpaid municipal taxes and has not fulfilled essential cleanup fee requirements.

For the last two years, the AER has released annual reports addressing Alberta's staggering multi-billion-dollar oil and gas cleanup crisis, yet it seems that much of this crucial information remains obscure to the public. The regulator's reports include a list of delinquent companies, which, while informative, do little to illuminate the individuals behind these entities.

Investigative efforts by The Narwhal have shed light on the complex ownership structures within Alberta's oil industry. By meticulously examining corporate registry documents, they created a comprehensive database that reveals the names of influential shareholders and directors tied to delinquent companies, including not only Taylor, but also notable public figures like former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Some of the individuals connected with these companies wield substantial influence and wealth—potentially more than they owe for their rights to extract Alberta's natural resources. Despite the millions reported as owed, the delinquent companies identified represent only a fraction of the province's overall cleanup financial responsibility. Critics argue that transparency alone is insufficient; the AER must undertake more robust actions to address Alberta's ongoing environmental liabilities.

David Cooper, a professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, highlights the need for increased regulatory transparency, suggesting that Alberta's corporate anonymity standards are out of step with those in many other jurisdictions. This lack of visibility makes it difficult for the public to hold accountable those who profit from oil and gas operations.

Diving deeper into the database reveals links between companies like Altima Resources, which oversees both Primrose Drilling Ventures and Crimson Oil and Gas—two firms found on the AER's delinquent list. The ownership chain leads back to Resman Holdings, predominantly controlled by the Taylor family, raising questions about accountability.

Companies like Pismo Energy and Topanga Resources, also under the control of North Shore Petroleum (another Taylor-owned enterprise), share a troubling history, with significant liabilities and a record of failing to meet cleanup mandates. Pismo Energy was thrust into receivership in December 2023, with allegations of multiple infractions, including neglecting to seal inactive wells.

In contrast, Recover Inc., a company producing recycled oilfield waste, briefly appeared on the delinquent list but resolved their debts. Interestingly, Stephen Harper sits on its board and holds a significant stake in Azimuth Capital, making the company’s financial missteps worth watching given Harper's high-profile status—recently appointed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith as chair of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, overseeing $170 billion in public investments.

New North Resources Ltd., another delinquent company, is closely held by well-known Alberta developers such as Jay Westman of Jayman Built and Harvey Thal of Royop. Their extensive business networks complicate the narrative of accountability, particularly as New North now faces restrictions in acquiring further licenses until cleanup compliance is met.

Robyn Lore, a one-third owner of Richards Oil & Gas, candidly admitted the struggles small operators face in Alberta's oil patch. After purchasing gas wells from a bankrupt firm, Lore's company has not paid minimum cleanup amounts for years due to financial difficulties, emphasizing the challenges smaller companies encounter amid stringent regulatory frameworks.

University of Calgary law professor Martin Olszynski raises concerns that the published delinquent list may obscure the deeper issue, suggesting that many major offenders remain unnoticed due to their ability to navigate weak laws. With dwindling fees paid by large companies like Canadian Natural Resources—believed to possess around 20,000 inactive wells—he warns that the harmful effects of neglecting cleanup efforts could lead to a crisis too late to resolve.

Despite the AER's claim that 91 percent of licensees complied with closure spending quotas in 2023, many argue this figure may underestimate the reality of the province's liabilities, which critics like Olszynski believe could be significantly higher than the currently estimated $36 billion, not accounting for the oilsands sector.

As the Alberta Energy Regulator walks a fine line between enforcement and discretion regarding delinquent companies, scholars and industry watchers question whether it will take a larger calamity for meaningful change to take place in the province's approach to oil and gas liabilities. With Alberta's environmental and financial futures at stake, transparency and accountability remain imperative yet elusive goals.