ARC ENERGY IDEAS

This week’s podcast gives our take on recent Canadian energy news headlines including the latest on the contentious Bill C-69 and Bill C-48, a Minnesota court ruling that could delay the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline, and the sale of Devon Energy’s oil sands assets to Canadian Natural Resources (CNRL).  We also talk about the big oil price drop over the past week. Please review our disclaimer at : http...

Oil and gas E&P share prices in both the United States and Canada have been underperforming compared to the broad indices. This week’s podcast discusses the causes and what it could turn things around.  A critical ingredient for improvement is that companies prove they can make money in an era of abundant supply and lower price levels, while lowering their Environmental, Social and Governance...

This week we interview Chris Slubicki President and CEO of Modern Resources, a Western Canadian oil and gas producer that is an environmental leader.  Chris is an advocate for the Canadian oil and gas industry, his video about the reality of global energy demand and Canada’s unique position for leadership has racked up 140,000 views. Our discussion covers a range of topics including the weak price...

Climate change is a pressing issue caused by greenhouse gas emissions. This week’s podcast examines global, US and Canadian emissions and ways to make reductions.  To compare GHG emissions in Canada and the United States, see past ARC Commentary “Canada’s GHG Emission Reality” .  We also reference a few papers in this podcast: one by Nature Conservancy that concluded natural solutions could achiev...

The Trump Administration announced the United States would not extend the sanction waivers for countries importing Iranian crude oil. This week’s podcast ponders the implications from the lost Iranian barrels along with other factors shaping global oil markets including US production, OPEC plus supply, and world demand growth. This podcast references Saudi Aramco’s Prospectus for their recent bond...

The Permian Basin has made the United States the world’s largest oil producer. The oil field is now the biggest in the world, producing more than Ghawar in Saudi Arabia.  This week’s podcast gives an on-the-ground perspective of the the giant oil play. As referenced in the podcast, here is a link to ARC commentary and trip photos, Betting on More Growth from the Permian .  Please review our discla...

Alberta voted for change on April 16th giving Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party (UCP) a majority win. This week’s podcast reviews the UCP’s energy platform, providing a guide of what to expect next.  Please review our disclaimer at : https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

This week we interview Evan Wilson from the Canadian Wind Energy Association. Evan talks about the potential for more low cost wind farms in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Both provinces have excellent wind resources and require new generation projects due to the phase out of coal power. We explore the pros and cons of wind, and the potential for new commercial models that industrial consumers and comm...

This week we interview Ian Anderson the President and CEO of Trans Mountain Corporation, the proponent of the hotly debated TMX pipeline expansion project. Ian explains the history of the existing pipeline -- which moves crude oil and refined products from Alberta to Canada’s West Coast -- and the planned expansion project. The discussion covers a range of topics, including the Canadian government...

The energy world’s top leaders and influencers recently gathered in Houston for the annual IHS Markit CERAWeek. In this week’s podcast we discuss the major themes and takeaways of the conference that is often called the Super Bowl of the energy industry. As referenced in the podcast here is a link to videos of CERAWeek 2019 , also see related ARC commentary CERAWeek 2019: Trends and Transitions. P...

This week we interview Alex Pourbaix the President and CEO of Cenovus Energy, Canada’s largest SAGD oil sands producer. Alex explains that the oil sands are not what they used to be; new barrels are lower cost and lower carbon. The discussion covers a range of topics including; the Alberta Government’s production curtailment, pipelines and crude-by-rail, plus the potential for lower cost rail moda...

ARC Energy Research Institute debated Carbon Tracker on the risks of investing in fossil fuels at the Globe Capital Conference in Toronto last month. This week’s episode outlines the arguments and outcome of the debate. Next, we debunk the Economist February 6, 2019 lead article titled, “Crude awakening: The truth about Big Oil and climate change." The publication mistakenly argues that polic...

This week’s podcast covers the latest twist in the Canadian oil pipeline saga, the delay in the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project. The postponement increases the call on crude-by-rail from Alberta. We also update the status of the other major Canadian oil pipeline projects, the TMX and the Keystone XL. Please review our disclaimer at : https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

The Chinese economy is still very consequential to energy and oil demand, making up one-third of all global growth. In this week’s podcast, we consider the implications from slower Chinese economic growth and more electric vehicles. Next, we cover highlights from the recently released BP Energy Outlook, including how a single use plastic ban could impact oil demand. This podcast references a chart...

This week we interview Susannah Pierce, LNG Canada’s Director of External Relations. LNG Canada will be the first major LNG project in the country, planning to deliver 1.8 Bcf/d of gas from British Columbia’s west coast to Asian markets by the mid 2020s. In our discussion, we learn more about the LNG Canada project including stakeholder relations. We also talk about the many Canadian LNG advantage...

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...