Unconventional oil and gas - an opportunity for Canada? (Part 1)

A SACPA presentation in February introduced the issue of “hydraulic fracking” in the Lethbridge area. In particular, two oil companies have leased land on the Blood reserve and are exploring the use of hydraulic fracking to recover oil and gas from formations which underly Southern Alberta. The speaker will discuss, from an industry perspective, what unconventional oil and gas is and where it has been found. As well he will introduce the techniques used to develop it, including hydraulic fracturing (fraccing) and horizontal drilling. The speaker will discuss industry practices and some regulatory examples for use of water in fracs and protection of surface aquifers. Speaker: Steven Dunk, P.Eng. Steve is currently Manager, BC Operations with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP). The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers represents over 100 companies that explore for, develop and produce natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, oil sands, and elemental sulphur throughout Canada. CAPP member companies produce more than 90 per cent of Canada’s natural gas and crude oil. Key areas of responsibility include: operations regulatory issues, land management, natural gas competitiveness, species at risk and managing and working to improve industry-stakeholder relations. Steve has over 25 years experience in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry, having worked for major oil and gas companies in numerous field and office based technical and management positions in oil and gas operations, reservoir development, and facility construction, in Canada, Indonesia and eastern USA. He has a degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Alberta.