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HI-KALIBRE EQUIPMENT LTD. remotely. Currently, Hi-Kalibre has 13 patents and patent pending technologies for drill stem equipment and hydraulic actuation, specializ- ing in the top drive space. “Our mandate is to improve operational uptime for drilling contrac- tors by providing reliable, high quality equip- ment,” Rabby states. “Because we focus on drill stem technology, we are constantly designing or adapting our fluid control technology to use the latest drill string connections or meet drilling contractors’ job specific requirements.” Rabby believes that since the worldwide oil and gas sector is extremely price-competitive, those countries and companies that invest in the latest technologies will always tend to have an edge. “Look at the work that is going on in Canada and the U.S. today. Despite the low contract prices and the prolonged weakness in the price of oil, we still have fields in North America where the costs to bring them online are economical,” he asserts. “And everybody is looking at what we’re doing in North America with our expertise and equipment, especially the advances in drilling and completion. And that technology and skill is going around the world as other countries try to improve their competitiveness.” While Hi-Kalibre’s products are helping drill- ing contractors compete more effectively, the industry, as a whole, is facing difficult challeng- es, particularly in Canada, which is a net oil and gas producer. Not only is the sector trying to re- cover from the recent economic downturn and continued depressed prices for fossil fuels, but political instability and environmental concerns around pipe lines and oil and gas projects, as well as a withdrawal of investment in Alberta’s fields, has convinced Rabby of the need to get the message out of how important the sector is to the country. “This industry is vital to Canada,” he declares. “Despite the drop in investment, oil prices and activity, oil and gas is still the third largest direct contributor to our GDP. It drives manufac- turing jobs, research and development, and in- vestment in our country. But further than that, it helps drive commercial real estate, travel, ve- hicle sales, housing starts and many other parts of our economy. For every dollar that gets spent on an oil and gas project in Alberta, three to four dollars gets spent in our economy. Oil and gas contributes directly to roughly 30 percent of Alberta’s GDP, and closer to 42 percent, includ- ing indirect dollars spent. For many Albertans, if they don’t work directly in oil and gas, they’re doing something in support of it.” He goes on to express his desire for a more reasoned approach and a national energy strat-