The provincial budget that was released last week contained some good news for oil and gas producers in the are. 

"Generally, across the board, there will be some significant enhancements to petroleum and mineral resource sector," explained Minister of Energy and Resources, Bronwyn Eyre. "The energy resource budget is $45.8 million. That includes an increase of $665,000 or 1.5% and $1.5 million to enhance the Integrated Resource Information System (IRIS) for the Pipeline Regulation Enhancement Program (PREP)."

"We think that this is important just in terms of the multiyear program and the announcement last year to strengthen pipeline regulations."

She added that while there is not a large increase in the budget, there is an increase to things that are important to the sector.

"Recent numbers that we're seeing such as increased production, exploration, revenue, there are clear signs of renewed activity and growth in the industry. Saskatchewan is the second largest producer among Canadian provinces and there are some signs of improvement just in terms of year over year employment in the sector. That has also grown."

"There were 34,000 direct and indirect years of employment in the oil and gas industry that were forecasted for 2017 and that's up 7% from 2016 so cautiously optimistic that we're seeing some good signs here."

Eyre mentioned that with signs of growth in the entire industry, there is reason for optimism in the southeast area as well.