Economic News Affecting St. John's

[statbass]

Interesting article.....

CBC NL
May 7, 2013
Author: Jen White

Business is booming for the sex trade in Newfoundland and Labrador, as workers in the industry move from walking the streets to posting online.

Iris is a high-class escort or "service provider" who works in and around the St. John's area. She agreed to speak with CBC News on the condition of anonymity.

Iris said the sex industry in this province has exploded.

"The local girls that have decided to take it up as a profession, the clientele — everything has boomed in the last 16 months," she said.

When I first started, I was in competition with maybe five other ladies. Now, I'm in competition with probably 30 or 40."

Iris said the public wouldn't believe who avails of local escort services.

"They would be shocked to see what kind of people are coming to see us," she said.

“We wouldn't be doing this well if your husbands and boyfriends and friends weren't coming to see us. It's that simple.”

....

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfou...ation-507.html

[SignalHillHiker]

A new website designed to help newcomers to the northeast Avalon find their way and settle successfully:

http://www.neavalonnewcomer.ca/

Hopefully a website designer immigrates soon.

[statbass]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

A new website designed to help newcomers to the northeast Avalon find their way and settle successfully:

http://www.neavalonnewcomer.ca/

Hopefully a website designer immigrates soon.

Haha.. looks like a high school tech class project!

[jeddy1989]

Originally Posted by statbass

Interesting article.....

CBC NL
May 7, 2013
Author: Jen White



http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfou...ation-507.html

that is so interesting! so much happens that you don't see out in the open!, Not just on Henry St. anymore boys... business is booming and gone viral! lol

[Copes]

Originally Posted by jeddy1989

that is so interesting! so much happens that you don't see out in the open!, Not just on Henry St. anymore boys... business is booming and gone viral! lol

She's really not helping the public's perception of the sex trade, or of St. John's males.

"We be bangin' your husbands and boyfriends. Keep a leash on them or they'll be gettin' their sex from us. I probably boned your neighbour and your brother, don't judge."

[SignalHillHiker]

Originally Posted by Copes

She's really not helping the public's perception of the sex trade, or of St. John's males.

"We be bangin' your husbands and boyfriends. Keep a leash on them or they'll be gettin' their sex from us. I probably boned your neighbour and your brother, don't judge."

You just have to remember, she spoke to the media. She's the prostitute equivalent of that backwards-white-cap-wearing-wingman from the other day.

But props to her if she can sell it. I can't even give it away.

[mrjanejacobs]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

A new website designed to help newcomers to the northeast Avalon find their way and settle successfully:

http://www.neavalonnewcomer.ca/

Hopefully a website designer immigrates soon.

Lol - read my mind. Nice concept but questionable execution. Honestly, if a web-site is shitty, I have a really hard time taking it seriously.

[mrjanejacobs]

Uh oh. I made a comment on the nenewcomers website that they should try to improve the design of the site. They replied 5 minutes later and had CC'ed the web-developer who did it. Shit.

......how embarrassing. How do I get myself into such awkward situations? Man....

[PoscStudent]

Originally Posted by jeddy1989

that is so interesting! so much happens that you don't see out in the open!, Not just on Henry St. anymore boys... business is booming and gone viral! lol

Viral is a good word to use.

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

You just have to remember, she spoke to the media. She's the prostitute equivalent of that backwards-white-cap-wearing-wingman from the other day.

But props to her if she can sell it. I can't even give it away.

Thanks for sharing. I do believe there are male escorts around.

[statbass]

Some more potential here, although still in the early stages.....

Source: Upstream Online
May 2, 2013
Author: IAIN ESAU

Calgary-based Husky Energy is in the very early stages of assessing the potential for building a liquefied natural gas plant in eastern Canada, underpinned by gas resources off Newfoundland & Labrador.
Although Husky’s plans are necessarily tentative at this stage, sources suggested that if enough gas resources can be formally certified, then first LNG exports could begin in 2025.

Europe has been identified as the most likely market for east Canadian LNG, with shipping distances to key markets, such as the UK and Spain, much less than those of most competing exporters.

http://www.upstreamonline.com/hardco...cle1325329.ece

Over the past decade or so, building on the success of its White Rose oil development on the Grand Banks, Husky has been slowly adding to its offshore portfolio in the Canadian…

[jeddy1989]

St. John's Growing

Growth in the St. John's area is catching the attention of young professionals from across the country who are looking for new opportunities. Here's VOCM's Terry Hart.



Mayor Dennis O'Keefe says the perception and awareness of St. John's now compared to 10 or 15 years ago is day and night. He says St. John's is viewed throughout Canada as a city of opportunity and growth. He noted many companies and young families are looking for opportunities to move here.

O'Keefe believes the focus for the future must be on creating ways for young people to live and work in the city. He says the growth taking place downtown St. John's is a prime example of a hot economy.

http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?...34342&latest=1

[Marty_Mcfly]

Well lets do it, Doc! Bring me home for life and I'll be pleased

[Architype]

Unemployment rate for provinces, cities:

http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/unemp...ties-1.1315333

St. John's is the lowest in Atlantic Canada (6.2%) as might be expected, and among the lowest in Eastern Canada.

[jeddy1989]

More Good news!!!

Seismic Exploration Continuing in Labrador

Seismic exploration work is continuing off the coast of Labrador. In January, Nalcor said it had discovered three new basins that had the potential to be oil-bearing. The 2D imaging will eventually link up to connect with the Orphan Basin. The idea is for Nalcor to lay the groundwork drawing the interest of large oil companies who would then spend the big money to drill exploratory wells. CEO Ed Martin says Nalcor is strongly encouraged by what it has found. Now he says, the province is sharing the information.




Martin says the potential has been highlighted at conferences in London, Houston, Asia with tremendous interest.


Martin says the C-NLOPB is considering changing its lands bidding process to match that of the rest of the world. A process Nalcor supports.

http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=35089

[PoscStudent]

As the premier said, "There's oil, there's oil under them waters Mr. Speaker!"

https://soundcloud.com/mclabradore/o...-dem-waters-mr

[grovesNL]

Originally Posted by PoscStudent

As the premier said, "There's oil, there's oil under them waters Mr. Speaker!"

https://soundcloud.com/mclabradore/o...-dem-waters-mr

Haha, you must be active on nlpoli.

I've heard a lot about the offshore Labrador potential lately. It would be great if discoveries are made in that area. There won't be much growth in the NL oil/gas industry over the next few years if there's a fracking moratorium. Hebron will be fabricated/first oil, Husky Energy may move continue to move forward with a wellhead platform (kind of a mini-gravity based structure) to tie into the existing SeaRose FPSO, but other than that I'm not sure there are many other major developments planned. Suncor Energy will continue with Terra Nova FPSO for now, but I'm not sure if they plan to expand. I think Chevron/Statoil plan to explore as well.

[Trevor3]

Originally Posted by grovesNL

Haha, you must be active on nlpoli.

I've heard a lot about the offshore Labrador potential lately. It would be great if discoveries are made in that area. There won't be much growth in the NL oil/gas industry over the next few years if there's a fracking moratorium. Hebron will be fabricated/first oil, Husky Energy may move continue to move forward with a wellhead platform (kind of a mini-gravity based structure) to tie into the existing SeaRose FPSO, but other than that I'm not sure there are many other major developments planned. Suncor Energy will continue with Terra Nova FPSO for now, but I'm not sure if they plan to expand. I think Chevron/Statoil plan to explore as well.

I really hope we don't go that route. There have been thousands of wells fracked in Canada with no environmental issues. Many alarmists are watching the Gasland documentary and citing David Suzuki verbatim in order to try and argue the negatives far outweighing the positives for hydraulic fracturing. The geology of Newfoundland is different than that of Pennsylvania and Ohio where there have been issues. The problem in those states arose from injecting fluid with too much pressue, forcing it up through naturally occuring fissures, displacing trapped methane and forcing it into the watertable or out through cracks in the drill well. Because we have a greater understanding of our island's geology, we can rest assured that those issues won't occur here. In Fact, a couple of wells were fracked in the Flat Bay area of Bay St. George in 2005.

The best part? Our fracking on the west coast is planning on going out under the sea. Not under inhabited land and obviously far below the water table. Bring on the hydraulic fracturing, under proper environmental regulations and inspections, following the lead of other jurisdictions that have successfully allowed the practice. Allow this activity to occur so that our province can continue to prosper and use oil money as a catalyst to fuel future growth in other industries.

But we'll impose a moratorium in order to buy votes for the next provincial election...

[grovesNL]

I agree with you there. Fracking can absolutely be executed correctly (safely), it just depends on the location of the water table with respect to the well layout.

What many people seem to be concerned about is the maturity of NL hydraulic fracturing legislation. Because it is still relatively new to NL, there are likely opportunities for companies to cut corners (ie. cut cost by increased risk of hitting the water table/reservoir instability somehow).

I think that's why people are calling for the fracking moratorium (either temporary or permanent). In that case, it would be immediately beneficial to all parties for the provincial government to create stronger fracking policies. This would essentially force producers to ensure high standards of safety, thereby at least satisfying rational-minded people with legitimate concerns. That probably won't budge the thoughts of alarmists, though.

[BigRedSpecial]

Originally Posted by grovesNL

I've heard a lot about the offshore Labrador potential lately. It would be great if discoveries are made in that area. There won't be much growth in the NL oil/gas industry over the next few years if there's a fracking moratorium. Hebron will be fabricated/first oil, Husky Energy may move continue to move forward with a wellhead platform (kind of a mini-gravity based structure) to tie into the existing SeaRose FPSO, but other than that I'm not sure there are many other major developments planned. Suncor Energy will continue with Terra Nova FPSO for now, but I'm not sure if they plan to expand. I think Chevron/Statoil plan to explore as well.

Anything that is found in the new basins off Labrador will be a long way out (time wise). We're only just really starting exploration of the Flemish Pass/ Orphan Basin.

Expect a lot more news from our offshore in the future. All the buzz going around at work points in the direction that we're still ramping up.

Keep in mind as well that in addition to Hebron and the Husky rig you mentioned, We just got the West Aquarius, Exxon is planning (or at least talking about) a small GBS for Hibernia South Extension, We're supposed to be getting the Aquarius' sister rig (not 100% on that... West Gemini? West Aries? Something like that), the Stena Carron drill ship is a year and a half over due; on top of all that the ancient GSF Grand Banks and Henry Goodrich refuse to die.

I'm pretty low on the totem pole, so take everything I say with a huge grain of salt, but if I'm hearing all that, you know there is a lot on the horizon.

[grovesNL]

Originally Posted by BigRedSpecial

Anything that is found in the new basins off Labrador will be a long way out (time wise). We're only just really starting exploration of the Flemish Pass/ Orphan Basin.

Yeah, absolutely. It will be long into the future but it would definitely be nice to have some serious exploration there. I've also heard some (positive) rumours about the Flemish Pass and I'm hoping that there will be some development there in the future as well.

Originally Posted by BigRedSpecial

Keep in mind as well that in addition to Hebron and the Husky rig you mentioned, We just got the West Aquarius, Exxon is planning (or at least talking about) a small GBS for Hibernia South Extension, We're supposed to be getting the Aquarius' sister rig (not 100% on that... West Gemini? West Aries? Something like that), the Stena Carron drill ship is a year and a half over due; on top of all that the ancient GSF Grand Banks and Henry Goodrich refuse to die.

I believe there were some major repairs to the Henry Goodrich while it sat in Marystown for a few months at the end of last year. Hopefully both GSF Grand Banks and Henry Goodrich last a while. It's nice to see other drilling rigs coming here, though; at least that means there's still high interest in exploration. I think I've been hearing much of the same talk that you have, in which case we will (hopefully) have a steady future with offshore oil for the longterm.