Some economists have recently predicted that it not be until the
third fiscal quarter 2015 that oil prices may begin to stabilize
(for example, see ATB Financial’s Alberta Economic Outlook Q2
2015, published March 31, 2015). ATB Financial predicts,
however, that the price stability will begin at around $50 per
barrel rather than at the over $100 per barrel highs of
mid-2014. While economists may disagree about the specific
price that the market will agree upon - and the timing of reaching
such an agreement - many economists do agree that the global thirst
for oil will result in higher prices in the future, as compared
with today.
The current low and unstable price of oil has caused a number of
Alberta-based companies to make hard financial decisions.
News reports often include stories about major exploration and
producing companies instituting hiring freezes and cost cutting
measures, which include a large number of layoffs. What is
not so prevalent in the news
