I think we all share their sentiment...but as mentioned before, this isn't about IF to produce this gas, it is about how. The Quebec government is working on writing new legislation and a regulations for the industry. This was said by all the companies that without this, their can be no commercialization.

I wrote back and forth with Jason from QEC and he said that it is crucial to have in place. They are working on that as we speak. With this in place, it will ease the concerns of a lot of citizens and also will allow for the companies to feel better about drilling. Quebec doesn't have that in place and so they will adopt one. I read the BAPE members took trips to many places with shale drilling, Texas and BC as examples. The idea of a moratorium doesn't make sense, because this industry isn't new. I can understand if it was, but it isn't. If Quebec were one of the first places in the world to exploit shale, I could understand that because little was known..well the thing is a TON is already known. What the BAPE is now doing is learning from all these places and building on that to draw up it's own framework. To me it is only logical and makes sense. An article that was posted today from the CPQ...talking about how Quebec should learn from any mistakes of other states/provinces and adapt a plan to not make the same ones and build.

We've drilled what, a whopping 30 wells? I bet they drilled that in Alberta yesterday alone. Listening to the BAPE (thanks for the english translation btw!), they are talking about bringing in service crews. This is going to be huge for the majors as it will drastically lower costs. If it's costing them $15 million to drill a well...and if they can get it down to $5-6, they are getting a 3 for 1 deal now. It will only speed things up.

Talisman has already secured multipad permits in a couple places and I know some are waiting for approval. The wheels are in motion and it is all ready to go, but they need to get some framework in the pipeline to allow for companies to commit.

Listening to the enviornmentalists, as I said before, what they want and are asking for it way off to left field. They basically want the gas to magically be sucked out without touching anything. One of them was talking about how shale will only produce for 10 years (which is a pure lie as wells have been producing a lot longer) and it will actually cause more emmissions which is total bs. It's funny, when the worlds leading engineers and geologists are working together to say that their rough estimates says 30+years of production per well, why don't these people believe them. These are pretty brilliant and smart people...why would I listen to a university student with nothing but grad work and has absolutely no experience with this industry...Bencro is justified in saying they all have an agenda...they can spew lies and make stuff up, but as Mr. Binnion said, people have a right to their own opinions, but not to their own facts.

Doesn't matter how many people hold up signs in protest, because these same people were against some wind projects in Quebec (as someone posted a link to this before). They just get more media attention, but there are tons of supporters that don't.

Talisman is really taking some big steps in bringing some previous Quebec politicians to their aid in helping promite shale drilling. You can they are extrememly serious to doing this project and I have no doubt they will increase spending once they are shown some incentives (ie. service crews, lower royalties etc). Which reminds me of one thing I heard again tonight...one of these enviornmentalists talking about how they should have super high royalties in place (totally forgot the reasoning but it was way out to lunch)...they want all these companies to spend billions and then they want them to pay huge huge chunks...if that were the case none of these companies would drill anywhere.

They are absolutely not meeting the industry or the BAPE half way with any of this. I knew we would be hearing the same old tired out arguments again tonight and we will the next few days as well. They have really nothing to hold against us but you have to give them credit for trying. I honestly believe the average Quebecor would really be open to it and understand if you had a conversation with them (a normal discussion)...but the people that come out to these meetings would more likely put in their ipod and watch your mouth move rather than listen because all they care about is saying no. Some are not even saying a moratorium, but saying that the gas should just stay their...no need for it. Unreal.

Makes me wonder how they would react if they had oilsand in their backyard? They've been given a sweet natural gas bonanza and the province suffers from a deep hole of debt...yet they are happy to sit back and go deeper and collect from other provinces.

Students in Quebec in 2005 for University paid $1900...Alberta was paying around $5000 (and they have a huge oil field in their backyard)?? I'm sure Bencro can elaborate more on all the social programs etc...but a huge flux of money from the HAVE provinces. Quebec recieves the highest in payments, for 2010-2011 it will be close to $9 billion. Why can't these people see this as well?

Today the Quebec gov't officially voted no for a moratorium.

Rocco