The war in Ukraine has exposed the complexity of the world’s energy interconnections. As global energy demand increases and new renewable energy development is not keeping pace, more natural gas is needed. Those pushing to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions faster ignore this reality. Concurrently, dictators and autocrats are moving to solidify their power, sometimes using energy as a weapon. Amid this turmoil, Canada remains reluctant to fulfill its unique position to help the globe’s [Read more]
Column: Reducing methane venting in Canada
The Canadian oil and gas industry can be proud of its environmental record, as shown on this International Energy Agency (IEA) chart above. Even though Canada is a major producer, we rank tenth in the list of countries in terms of total methane emissions and similarly low in methane intensity. On March 10, 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Barack Obama issued a joint statement on climate change pledging to reduce greenhouse gases by: Reducing methane emissions by 40 - 45 [Read more]
Column: State of the Alberta economy
This article describes the current state of the Alberta economy. It recognizes that the coal development proposals can contribute to the needed economic recovery. Forgotten in the pre-occupation with the development risks are the valuable benefits of Alberta coal mining investments at a time when: Employment at a time of record-high unemployment. Investment at a time of record-low investment. Tax revenue at a time of record-high public deficits and debt. Alberta's economic [Read more]
Column: Coal development is positive for Alberta
Recently proposed coal developments in southern Alberta have raised concerns about the associated risk of damage to: The local environment, especially water quality. Wildlife, especially at-risk species. Progress on addressing climate change, especially the additional greenhouse gases that the coal consumers will produce. Forgotten in the pre-occupation with these risks are the valuable benefits the proposed coal developments offer Albertans at a time when: Employment at a [Read more]
Column: More oil & gas predictive analytics applications
The leadership of many oil & gas producers can significantly widen the application of predictive analytics to achieve value from the digital data their company collects and manages. I’ll illustrate how predictive analytics achieves business value for oil & gas producers through the following five examples along the upstream oil & gas well life cycle: Reducing exploration risk. Creating development scenarios. Controlling drilling and completion costs. Improving [Read more]
Column: Oil & Gas predictive analytics applications
The leadership of many oil & gas producers can greatly widen the use of predictive analytics to achieve value from the data their company collects and manages. After defining what predictive analytics is, I’ll illustrate how predictive analytics achieves business value for oil & gas producers through the following five common upstream oil & gas industry use cases along the well life cycle: Reducing exploration risk. Creating development scenarios. Controlling drilling and [Read more]
Column: Exaggerated or impossible consequences of fracking oil and gas wells
Environmentalists have panicked many citizens into believing fracking is dangerous by greatly exaggerating the small risks that are associated with fracking of oil and natural gas wells. In reality, these risks are very low, just like the risks associated with other industrial activities, especially when those industrial activities are conducted competently. Many environmentalists falsely claim that banning fracking will reduce the production of oil & gas in the interests of reducing [Read more]
Canadians need Reasonable Development Projects
The rejection of major development projects is producing economic harm for all Canadians and undermining the reputation of Canada as an attractive place to invest. Many Canadians appear to be oblivious to the personal and national harm caused by the rejections and protracted delays that have become a feature of our regulatory process and associated political second-guessing. Sadly rejection and protracted delays inflict real, not abstract or theoretical, consequences including higher [Read more]
How Alberta’s PPA mess affects the energy industry
The Alberta NDP government power purchase arrangements (PPA) lawsuit will affect most of the Alberta energy industry even though only the holders of coal-fired PPAs are directly embroiled in the PPA mess. Through the lawsuit, the government is seeking to remove a key phrase “more unprofitable” from the PPAs by deeming it unlawful. Most of the coverage of the PPA debacle has focused on the: Holders of coal-fired PPAs who may be asked to choke down losses in the range of $600 million to [Read more]
Asian LNG customers are giving Canada a pass
Canada has missed the recent opportunity for Asian LNG export sales. Delays in Canadian regulatory and government approvals for major LNG development projects are producing real adverse consequences for all Canadians including: Lower investment in Canada leading to reduced economic growth. Lower tax revenue leading to reduced public services and higher public debt. Lower employment/higher unemployment. Recently LNG Canada CEO Andy Calitz said in a conference call that a drop in [Read more]