Western Canadian Views on the Oil and Gas Industry

Calgary, AB - Canada's oil and gas industry is centered in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin with Alberta accounting for over 80% of our country's domestic petroleum production. Ipsos Reid recently conducted research with residents of major producing regions / communities within the WCSB to measure public perceptions of the upstream petroleum industry.

Nearly six-in-ten (58%) study respondents have a positive overall opinion of the oil and gas industry, while two-in-ten (21%) hold a neutral view and another two-in-ten (20%) report holding a negative view.

More than three quarters (79%) of respondents say the statements of local oil and gas company representatives are believable, while another 20% take the opposite view.

When asked what oil and gas companies operating in their communities can improve, the most frequent answers were environment (mentioned by 32% of respondents), supporting the quality of life in local communities (21%) and improving public relations / communications (19%).

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid study conducted from June 8 to 21, 2009. A total of 1,152 telephone interviews were conducted with adult residents of petroleum producing regions / communities in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. With a sample of this size, the aggregate results are considered accurate to within 2.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult population of the region been polled.

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca .

About Ipsos

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2008, Ipsos generated global revenues of e979.3 million.

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