ARC ENERGY IDEAS

The US Green New Deal puts forward an aggressive plan for tackling climate change and social issues. On this week's podcast we explain the resolution, including why it could prove consequential. We also talk about the Cleantech sector, considering recent positive investment trends and the arguments for expanding the mainstream definition to include technology for greening oil and gas. Please...

This week we interview James Cairns, CN Rail’s Vice President of Petroleum and Chemicals on the outlook for Canadian crude by rail considering the Alberta government production curtailment.  We also tackle some new modalities for moving heavy oil sands using rail, by moving pure bitumen in rail cars and by CanaPux for overseas shipments. This podcast references ARC's estimate of rail economic...

This week’s podcast considers how Canada could help fill the gap created by the US sanctions on importing Venezuelan crude oil, explaining the potential for moving crude by rail from Canada to the US Gulf Coast. Next, we discuss the Alberta Government’s decision to start reducing production curtailments just one month into the policy. Finally, we cover a few legal challenges, the Canadian Supreme...

This week we tackle the Western Canadian natural gas markets that have faced weak prices for more than a year. What are the implications of the situation for producers, the economy and the resource owner, the citizens of Alberta?  Importantly, what actions can be taken to fix the market? This podcast references postcards from the early 1900s when natural gas was first discovered in Medicine Hat, A...

This week we interview Grant Arnold CEO of BluEarth Renewables on how and when renewables could disrupt the current electric utilities model.  What is the state of renewables in Alberta, Canada and beyond? What are the implications for natural gas generation, utilities and energy costs? Please review our disclaimer at : https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

There is a sense of relief that 2018 is over. The year ended with pipeline drama and low international oil prices. But, so far, the year is starting off better with prices moving up. This podcast considers what comes next, for WTI, Canadian oil, Western Canada activity levels, and pipelines. This episode reference how to listen to podcasts on your phone , a great way to multitask. Please review ou...

Following the time honored year-end tradition, this week we flip the calendar and present our list of energy market trends and unknowns to watch for in 2019. We also dare to revisit our 2018 list, looking back on how things unfolded. This podcast references past ARC Energy Research Institute commentaries including our 2019 watch list and our 2018 watch list . Please review our disclaimer at : http...

This week we interview Martha Hall Findlay from the Canada West Foundation about the contentious Bill C-69 that aims to overhaul the review process for major infrastructure projects in Canada. We cover the ins and outs of the Canadian environmental review process, the question of trust, and if the current regulatory process needs to change. The Bill has already passed in the House of Commons and i...

This week’s episode is about the oil supply cuts. First, the Alberta Government’s historic announcement to curtail output on December 2, and second, the OPEC plus group’s significant decision on December 7 to reduce production levels. We also cover insights from following the COP24 meeting in Poland that kicked off December 4. Please review our disclaimer at : https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/di...

This week we tackle the most hotly debated question in Western Canada today, should the Alberta government mandate oil production cuts to help clear the local oversupply? Inaction has serious consequences, including the loss of the winter drilling season, job cuts and lost royalty revenue for the resource owner, the citizens of Alberta. This podcast was recorded prior to the Alberta Government&apo...

This week, we interview Todd Hirsch, Chief Economist at ATB Financial. Tune in to hear about the current state of the Alberta economy and the outlook in the near term considering weak oil prices.  Winding up on a positive note with a discussion on Alberta’s strengths,  that could spur new types of investments. This podcast references the ATB Owl Blog to view and subscribe, link here . Please revie...

Too much oil supply is back, causing global oil price to slide from $US 85/B in October to under $US 70/B now.  This week’s podcast reviews the outlook for global oil supply and the strategy of OPEC plus in the face of low price. This podcast references a figure on the future of global oil supply to 2023 . Another related post is OPEC Plus: Still in the Business of Managing the Oil Markets . Pleas...

A Montana court has overturned President Trump’s approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.  This week’s podcast reviews the decision and the implications for Canadian oil markets that are facing extreme price discounts due to a lack of pipe capacity. Next we talk about Imperial Oil’s contrarian decision to give a green light to a major new oil sands project, the first major sanction in five years.  Fi...

This week’s podcast is about oil and gas innovation, including the strategic implications resulting from the development of low cost North American shale gas and tight oil and the future potential for digital technology to further reduce industry costs. This podcast references the past ARC Energy Research Institute commentary: Deflating the Energy Scarcity Mindset. Please review our disclaimer at...

Tesla just had a historic quarter; surging Model 3 sales and greater margins on every car sold erased the red ink from the company’s financial statements for the first time in years. On this week’s podcast we review the latest electric car sales statistics, the economics and utility of EV ownership and the implications of a growing electrically powered fleet on the future of oil demand. This podca...

The US/China trade war, higher oil prices and stumbling emerging markets are causing forecasters to downgrade their economic outlooks for next year. On this week’s podcast we explore the connection between economic growth and oil demand. Then, we dive into Saudi Arabia’s messaging on the unfolding Jamal Khashoggi situation. His death is already impacting geopolitics and could have ramifications fo...

This episode of the ARC Energy Ideas podcast covers the record breaking markdowns for Canadian oil, including the causes and solutions that would fix the massive price arbitrage. The podcast also considers the possible implications from the latest UN IPCC report on climate change. The new report sounds the alarm on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly, predicting more severe consequ...

In this episode you will hear our take on the big LNG Canada announcement, NAFTA, oil sands corporate takeovers and the latest on the Trans Mountain Expansion oil pipeline project. Please review our disclaimer at : https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/