CALGARY - Two of the world's richest people, Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates and his friend, American investment magnate Warren Buffett, quietly flew into northeastern Alberta on Monday, where they took in the oilsands, apparently with awe.

Buffett and Gates - who were Nos. one and three, respectively, on the world's richest people list in the March edition of Forbes Magazine - were hosted by a group that included Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) at Canadian Natural's $9.3 billion Horizon oilsands development.

"We were asked to come up and give a general overview on the oilsands and Canada's role in the world of energy in general, which we did," said Greg Stringham, CAPP's vice-president. "They were exercising curiosity, basically saying, 'wow, this is neat.' "

The Herald has learned that billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffett paid a quiet visit to the Alberta oilsands, Monday.