Latest news with #MartinKing
Calgary Herald
12 hours ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
'There's no barriers for Mother Nature': Wildfires continue to burn out of control near oilsands plants
Cooler temperatures have slowed Alberta's wildfires to the point where hundreds of oilpatch workers are beginning to return to oilsands plants, drilling rigs and remote camps that were evacuated last weekend as a large blaze temporarily forced a halt to 345,000 barrels of daily crude production. Article content However, the 62,040-hectare Caribou Lake fire burning at the southern border of the giant Athabasca oilsands deposit — which threatens about eight per cent of Alberta's daily oil output — continues to burn out of control, according to the province. Article content Article content Article content Precautionary evacuations have become the norm in an industry that has grown used to dealing with wildfires since Canadian production seems to be threatened 'on an almost clocklike annual basis,' Martin King, managing director of RBN Energy LLC, said in a recent note. Article content Article content Fire-proofing measures, such as clearing a wide swathe of the dense boreal forest surrounding drilling rigs and transmission lines and transferring fuels to sealed tanks to protect combustibles from falling ash, protect infrastructure while workers retreat to safety. Article content That's a far cry from the slapdash tactics recalled by veteran rig workers who 50 years ago might have downed tools to fight fires themselves. Article content 'I do remember, decades ago, when we'd only evacuate the rig when you actually saw flames somewhere close by,' Kevin Neveu, chief executive of Precision Drilling Corp., said. 'These days, we're evacuating when the fires are 10 or 20 kilometres away, when the risk is likely days away, not hours or minutes away.' Article content Article content Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. on Tuesday confirmed it had commenced start-up activities at its Jackfish 1 thermal plant after electing to shut-in approximately 36,500 bbl/d of production on May 31 in response to nearby forest fires. Article content Article content Production remains shut-in at Cenovus Energy Inc. 's massive Christina Lake asset, a suspension that encompasses about 238,000 bbl/d of output and began on May 29. The company said it wasn't aware of any damage to its infrastructure and that a full restart of operations was expected in the near term. Article content The wildfires have also disrupted power to the region, delaying the start-up of MEG Energy Corp.'s 70,000-barrel-per-day Christina Lake thermal project (a separate operation from Cenovus' facility of the same name), following the completion of a temporary shutdown for maintenance. Article content Wildfire-related shut-ins and evacuations disrupt the lives and livelihoods of thousands of oilpatch workers each season, including rig and oilfield service workers and camp staff, most of whom aren't salaried and go without any pay while on standby for what can be prolonged periods.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Waterford community hub is Day Care Centre of the Year
The Waterford city disability support service was lauded for championing community inclusion for its 24 members, by creating an environment that empowers and facilitates personal and professional growth. Broadcaster Martin King was on MC duty at the ceremony in the Clayton Hotel Dublin, leading the evening's celebrations with good humour and charm, as hundreds of leaders and representatives from the disability and healthcare sectors gathered for the prestigious event to celebrate outstanding achievements in service provision. Vita Community Hub scooped the national award for Day Care Centre of the Year, honoured for its dedication to developing the talents and potential of the people attending the service. The innovative programmes on offer have helped individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence and a higher quality of life. The service was honoured for its focus on community engagement, with the Vita team continuously striving to create and enhance connections that will have far-reaching benefits for each individual. 'Vita prides itself on promoting fulfilling employment opportunities for its members,' said a spokesperson. 'The judges credited the service for the development of a unique staged job activation programme, focused on harnessing each individual's essential job skills. 'Community collaboration is key for the programme's success, with the Vita team actively creating multiple partnerships with employers throughout the locality.' In addition, the promotion of third level education is a top priority for the Vita team. In collaboration with South East Technical University (SETU) Humanities department, staff in Vita developed a pilot project which allowed its members to study a Hospitality course in the college. Throughout the academic year, individuals from Vita worked alongside hospitality students in the SETU training restaurant and ran the Growth Café on campus. James O'Halloran, Vita Programme Supervisor, said, 'We have been on a high all week since winning this award. The team is thrilled to have achieved this national recognition for our dynamic educational, advocacy, and employment programmes at Vita. This award is a testament to the unique impact of our service and the difference it has made to people's lives.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I was 300 miles away, then Bruce Springsteen was in my kitchen'
The owner of a tiny Stockport music studio has told how he raced 300 miles back home from holiday - after getting a call telling him veteran rocker Bruce Springsteen wanted to book himself a recording session. Martin King, who runs a modest outfit tucked away in the borough's suburbs, had been enjoying a break in Hampshire, and admitted his first thought was: 'Is this for real?' But, in spite of his reservations, he told the Manchester Evening News he had no choice but to make the mammoth journey back to Greater Manchester to meet The Boss. READ MORE: The seaside town near Greater Manchester with a beach bar and amazing sunsets READ MORE: Bruce Springsteen pops in to see the Lads just minutes before sell-out Co-op Live show 'I didn't know for sure he was going to show but just the possibility was worth the trip back," he said, adding it was even more 'surreal' when Bruce and his team walked into the kitchen. Springsteen has been hitting headlines during a three-night residency at the 23,500 capacity Co-op Live venue, the first of his 16-date Land of Hope & Dreams Tour. On the first night of his stay in the city, the 75-year-old took aim at President Donald Trump with a fiery barb describing 'dangerous times' currently being faced in the USA. But the Boss, known for hits like Born to Run and 'Dancing in the Dark, was in a slightly less confrontational mood as he wandered around the Stockport studio, snapping photos and had a great sense of humour. Martin said: 'What made me laugh is I asked him if I could take some photos with him and I just haven't got the technology skills to take a selfie, I couldn't get it to work, and he said to me with a smile on his face, 'Let me do it, I'm good at these''. Speaking about why he thinks Bruce liked his studio, Martin said perhaps it reminded the global artist, in some way of the kind of place he recorded in when he was starting out. He continued: 'It's pretty down to earth here and has a comfortable vibe so hopefully he felt relaxed.' Reflecting on the finest moment of recording the septuagenarian rocker Martin said it was when Bruce listened back. 'He was listening so intently, it was about the music for him, and it felt for me at that moment that it doesn't matter if you're famous or if you're a young musician starting out, ultimately the commonality in it all is the music.' He said the star, who will play his last show at Manchester's Co-op live last night (May 20) has an 'amazing personal aura'. He added: 'He inspires a respectful reverence in everyone around him. It's not surprising given decades of success in the music industry built on genuine artistic and personal integrity still so evident in his live shows.'
The Irish Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Look at the state of me' jokes Ireland AM star Martin King as he swaps sofa for mic to return to radio
IRELAND AM star Martin King has swapped out the sofa for a mic this week to return to radio. The Virgin Media star is keeping Kathryn Thomas' seat warm at Q102 while she enjoys a 3 Martin King is filling in for Kathryn Thomas on Q102 this week Credit: Instagram 3 Martin joked about the 'state' of him on Instagram Credit: Brian McEvoy 3 Kathryn Thomas is on holidays this week with her family Credit: Louise Samuelsen The Carlow native has been making the most of her time off with her daughters Grace, six, and Ellie, three, who are currently on their Easter break from school. The mum-of-two took some time away from her hectic schedule and jetted over to the gorgeous Burgau, with her family this week. The Dubliner took to Instagram yesterday to notify his fans of his temporary radio gig. read more on martin king The 62-year-old recorded a video of himself looking very happy in the radio studio and said: "Yes, we are in studio and all set to go and filling in this week for Kathryn on the morning show Dublin's Q102." Martin, looking at himself in the camera, added: "I need to get me haircut. "I'll be calling into Philly to get that done later morning. Look at the state of me! "I look as if I'm dressed for an Oasis tribute act. If it was me and the band that he called it. Oh, Jaysus, appropriately enough." read more on the irish sun Announcing what was to come on yesterday's show, he said: "So we're talking to David Lean brilliant film director, too. "There's a special film Film festival going on dedicated to the man. Tell you what in just a little while!" Martin King shares hysterical story about granddaughter Martin's friends and fans flooded the comment section with support. One follower commented: "Man of many talents. Best of luck!" Des said: "In good hands." Lewis wrote: "Martin you are doing a big job filing in for Kathryn Thomas on the morning show." DREAMY PAD Kathryn has been enjoying her time off and decided to give followers a "little nose" around her fantastic Portuguese villa. The star revealed a magnificent photo of the view from her balcony which overlooked a gorgeous garden area The gardens were perfectly landscaped with large palm trees and vibrant flower beds. The house also boasted a stone patio where guests could sit out and sunbathe on one of the stunning loungers. Of course, the main act of the villa was the enormous pool situated in the middle of the grounds. Kathryn told followers: "This is the view from the balcony looking down on the pool and the grounds, which are beautifully landscaped."
