The NDP government’s long-awaited review of Alberta’s energy royalties will be released this week but Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd is keeping a tight wrap on details.
After initially promising the review would be completed by the end of 2015, the Notley government moved the deadline to the end of January.
McCuaig-Boyd confirmed in an interview Monday the report will be out later this week.
The review will drop in the midst of a massive downturn as the energy sector has been pummelled by world oil prices that have dropped at times to under US$30 a barrel.
McCuaig-Boyd said the government has tried to be transparent with the oilpatch through its consultations and there should be “no surprises.”
“I can’t say what industry will say but they will be pleased by the process,” she said.
“We won’t do anything right now to make the situation worse.”
McCuaig-Boyd would not say whether there will be incentives to spur new drilling contained in the report.
She said the review addresses issues around increasing refining and upgrading and further developing the petrochemical industry in the province, but would not comment on specifics.
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