Management Profiles
Chairman
D. R. (Deryl) Hurl is Chairman of D.R. Hurl & Associates Ltd. having founded the company in 1981. Mr. Hurl has been a licensed land agent since 1974 and has gained extensive expertise in project management, consultation, negotiation, and compliance, and all matters regarding surface rights in Alberta. The recruitment of the highly qualified staff of Hurl & Associates has provided the industry with a cost-effective service that ensures optimum conditions for realizing successful resolution in the acquisition and consultation process.
Mr. Hurl is the founding Chairman of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) Field Acquisition and Management committee (FAM) and continues to be a sustaining member of FAM. Mr. Hurl has also served on CAPL committees such as The Alberta Surface Rights Act 1983, Agricultural Dispositions Amendment Act (Bills 16 & 31), and was appointed to the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) on CBM by the Provincial Government of Alberta in 2004 and the MAC 11 Committee to review implementation of the MAC report in 2007. Mr. Hurl was appointed to the Land Agents Advisory Committee as the CAPL representative in 2008. Mr. Hurl has also acted as pro-bono consultant to the Alberta Orphan Well Program.
The CAPL awarded Mr. Hurl the Award of Merit in 1999, 2000, and 2003 and the Herb Hughes Memorial Award in 2007. The International Right Of Way Association (IRWA) awarded Mr. Hurl the Professional of the Year award in recognition of his contributions towards Surface Rights and the Oil & Gas Industry.
Professional Development
- Licensed Land Agent
- Conflict Resolution Certificate Program, Mount Royal College
- ITAB-CEPA Interest Based Negotiations Training
- ITAB-CEPA Building Agreements Training - Consensus Building Institute, M.I.T., Harvard Public Disputes Programs
- Oil & Gas Law 1 & 11, (CAPL)
- 2008, 2009 three day conference (AEA)
Affiliations
- Alberta Arbitration & Mediation Society (AAMS)
- Arbitration & Mediation Institute of Canada
- Alberta Expropriation Association (AEA)
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL)
- Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents (AASLA)
President
M.R. (Mike) Bellefeuille is President of D.R. Hurl & Associates Ltd. having joined the Company in October of 1981. From both a field and management perspective, Mr. Bellefeuille’s experience encompasses every aspect of surface rights negotiations, regulatory compliance and all related land matters. In directing the company’s highly successful operations, Mr. Bellefeuille has earned a reputation as a resourceful committed dynamic leader.
Mr. Bellefeuille brings an exceptional level of expertise to the Hurl team. In both a leadership role and as an active participant, Mr. Bellefeuille draws upon 28 years of experience as a strategic negotiator of surface land rights. His record in field acquisitions is impressive and extensive, and has seen the successful completion of a range of energy developments across Western Canada, including sour gas and heavy oil projects.
Prior to joining D.R. Hurl & Associates, Mr. Bellefeuille held responsibilities with Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (P.F.R.A.) and assisted on the family farm.
Mr. Bellefeuille is an active member volunteer of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL), and is past Chair of the Field Acquisition and Management Committee (FAM)
Professional Development
- Conflict Management – International Right of Way Association (IRWA)
- Dealing with Difficult People- (CAPL)
- Ethics (CAPL)
- Fiduciary Duties (CAPL)
- Industry Activities & Mitigation of Groundwater Effects (CAPL)
- Licensed Land Agent
- Commissioner for Oaths, Alberta
- 2008, 2009 three day conference (AEA)
Affiliations
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL)
- International Right of Way Association (IRWA)
- Alberta Expropriation Association (AEA)
- Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents (AASLA)
Vice President / Manager
Barry Seniuk joined D.R. Hurl & Associates Ltd. In 1991 and is Vice President and Manager of the Sherwood Park office, a position he invests with over 30 years experience in surface rights and freehold mineral acquisitions. In bringing projects to successful completion, Mr. Seniuk utilizes a proactive team approach – coupling analytical and problem-solving negotiating skills with a comprehensive knowledge of the diverse regulatory issues of various provincial jurisdictions.
Mr. Seniuk effectively and successfully provides facilitation services for governmental agencies, industry-specific consultants, clients and contractors – ensuring all regulatory standards and procedures are met. His expertise includes the development of practices, procedures and policies pertaining to the acquisition of surface rights in Western Canada
Prior to joining D.R. Hurl & Associates, Mr. Seniuk held responsibilities with companies that include Shell Canada Resources, Murphy Oil Company Ltd., Canterra Energy Ltd., Gryphon Industries Ltd. and N. McKenzie & Associates Ltd.
Professional Development
- Licensed Land Agent
- Exploration Technology, Petroleum Major (NAIT)
- Conflict Management, International Right-of-Way Association (IRWA)
- Ethics (CAPL)
- Fiduciary Duties (CAPL)
- Aboriginal Consultation (CAPL)
- 2008, 2009 three day conference (AEA)
Professional Affiliations
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL)
- International Right of Way Association (IRWA), Past President
- Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents (AASLA)
- Alberta Expropriation Association (AEA)
Vice President
Edward (Ted) Parent is Vice President of D.R. Hurl & Associates Ltd. having joined the company in 1997. From both a field and management perspective, Mr. Parent’s experience in public consultation, regulatory compliance and surface acquisition is extensive. A senior land agent, Mr. Parent takes a leading role in the successful negotiation of surface rights acquisitions for a wide range of energy development applications in Western Canada. He has particular expertise in the Energy Resources Conservation Board Directives 056 and 060 public consultation processes.
Prior to joining Hurl & Associates, Mr. Parent worked in a field-inspector capacity for Reid Crowther and Partners Ltd.
His expertise includes:
- Full range of surface land negotiations and public consultation and compliance
- Total project management and follow-up
- Land reclamation and damage claim settlements
Professional Development
- Land Agent, Honours with Distinction, Olds College
- Licensed Land Agent
- Land Reclamation Diploma, Honours with Distinction, Olds College
- Conflict Resolution Certificate Program (Mount Royal College)
- Introduction to Oil & Gas Production Equipment (Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers)
- G65 Type Holding Applications and Well Spacing (AASLA)
- ERCB Issues & Processes Seminar: Changes to D056 Public Consultation and the Surface Land Agent
- Ethics (CAPL)
- Fiduciary Duties (CAPL)
- Farming and Ranching Practices (AASLA)
- Facilities Overview (CAPL)
- Contract Law for Surface Land Agents (AASLA)
- Project Management: Fundamentals of Project Planning and Organization, University of Calgary Business Seminar
- 2008, 2009 three day conference (AEA)
- Alberta Land Use Framework Presentation (AASLA)
Professional Affiliations
- Alberta Association of Surface Land Agent (AASLA), past President
- International Right of Way Association (IRWA)
- Arbitration & Mediation Institute of Canada
- Alberta Expropriation Association (AEA)
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL)
Project Manager
Craig Pittman, P.Land joined D.R. Hurl & Associates Ltd. Calgary office in August 2011.
Project Manager
Bradley Cholin joined D.R. Hurl & Associates Ltd. in March 2003. His role as a Land Agent with D.R. Hurl & Associates Ltd. includes negotiation and consultation, coordination of well site and pipeline routing and survey operations, as well as negotiation of all Surface Rights documentation.
In 2006, Mr. Cholin was assigned the role of Project Coordinator of the Sherwood Park office. His role as a field Land Agent continues as required, but also includes coordination of all Surface Land Agents and acquisitions, and ensuring that client time constraints are met.
With over 19 years’ experience as a Land Agent and Surface Rights Negotiations across Western Canada, and his extensive education, Mr. Cholin is a valuable member of the Hurl Team.
Professional Development
- Licensed Land Agent
- Commissioner for Oaths, Alberta and Saskatchewan
- Land Agent Diploma, Olds College
- Bachelor of Science Degree, Brandon University
Affiliations
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL)
- Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents (AASLA)
Manager of Administration
Irene Bek has been employed by D.R. Hurl & Associates Ltd. since April 1997. Ms. Bek has extensive experience in surface land administration and in May 2001 became Administrative Manager of the Edmonton Office. Her role as Office & Administrative Manager includes supervision of all administrative and field staff, recruitment of the Administration Team, training of new land administrative staff, project coordination, Indian Oil & Gas Canada applications, Surface Rights Board Applications and ensuring that client time constraints are met.
Prior to joining Hurl & Associates, Ms. Bek held positions with the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.
Professional Development
- Commissioner for Oaths, Alberta
- Commissioner for Oaths, Saskatchewan
- Letter and Memo Writing
- Managing Time, NAIT
- Training for Trainers
- 30 Steps to Better Manual Writing
Manager of Administration
Janet M. Smith joined D.R. Hurl & Associates Ltd. in June 2011. Janet began her land career in 1994 and has over fifteen (15) years of surface land which includes experience in both land brokerage and in house Oil and Gas. Her role includes management, mentoring and training, recruiting of the Administrative Team as well as project management - monitoring the day to day workflow, client updates and overall timelines for project execution.
Professional Development
- SAIT - Petroleum Land Administration 1994
- Commissioner for Oaths, Alberta
- Commissioner for Oaths, Saskatchewan
Affiliations
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Land Administrators (CAPLA)
- International Right of Way Association (IRWA)
Bookkeeper / Office Administrator
Yvonne Beacom is the Bookkeeper and Office Administrator for D. R. Hurl & Associates Ltd. and joined the company in June 2002. Ms. Beacom performs the daily bookkeeping operations for the Calgary and Sherwood Park offices which includes maintaining the accounting records (payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable) and liaising with the Companies accounting firm. As Office Administrator she ensures office operations function efficiently and issues are dealt with in a timely and accurate manner. She also assists all departments with projects as required. Ms. Beacom was appointed the Company’s Privacy Officer in 2004 pursuant to the Alberta Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
Professional Development
- Bookkeeping Specialist, Knowledge Bureau (currently completing self-study courses towards a Distinguished Financial Advisor (DFA) designation)
- Surface Rights, Mount Royal College
- Office Careers Program, Alberta Vocational College
- Business Computer Program Certification, McKay Computer College
- Secretarial Science – Accounting Major, Grande Prairie Regional College
Affiliations
Canadian Payroll Association
