The silent giant. (Saskatchewan's petroleum industry)(Petroleum: The Silent Giant)

Much is made about the Alberta petroleum industry and how much it means to that province in terms of economic growth and job creation. And as the largest oil producing province in Canada, this attention is well-deserved. However, in what is perhaps the best-kept secret regarding the Canadian petroleum sector, Saskatchewan ranks right behind our neighbors to the west and is the second largest oil producing province in Canada.

The Saskatchewan petroleum industry is alive and well with roughly 400 companies actively drilling for oil and gas. Last year this activity directly or indirectly accounted for approximately 18,000 jobs in the province. Even more impressive comes the news that the industry injects $2.5 billion into our provincial economy. Coming off a fifth consecutive year of record oil production in 1996, indeed it's safe to say that Saskatchewan's petroleum sector is an industry on the move. While it's encouraging to look at past performance, a …