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The Canadian Heavy Oil Association – The Forum for the Heavy Oil and Oilsands Industries
However, advancing technology, in conjunction with declining sponsored events and conferences, and the possibility of expanding the
reserves of conventional oil and escalating energy prices, has resulted offering is under review.
in a dramatic increase in oilsands reserves in recent years. The growth
of reserves has been evolving more rapidly over the past five years, Expanding the Canadian Heavy Oil Association for a
first technically and then continuing in the commercial and financial Growing Membership
The CHOA was founded in Calgary, Canada, and with a few exceptions
most of the Association’s activities continue to be held there. However,
The main benefits to members
the Association is now engaged in expanding its region of activity. One
are the networking and learning
event that has historically been outside the Calgary area is the Athabasca
opportunities about what is
Oilsands Conference and Exhibition. Until recently, this event was held in
Fort McMurray, a city close to the oilsands deposits in north-eastern
happening in the rapidly growing Alberta, some 700km north of Calgary. In 2007, the conference was
heavy oil and oilsands industry.
moved to Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton, located roughly halfway
between Calgary and Fort McMurray and the centre of Alberta’s refinery
industry. This event provides a springboard for the Association’s plans to
arenas. For example, the US Securities and Exchange (SEC) is currently develop a base for expanding the geographical region of activities into
reviewing the rules it uses for determining oilsands reserves, which has central and northern Alberta. A series of dinner presentations are being
important implications for future investment in oilsands. The growth planned for 2008–2009 in Edmonton, with expectations to evolve into
of the industry has also sharpened the focus on sustainability more activities in the following year.
concerns, including the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of
rapidly increasing development. The mandate of the CHOA provides While the goal is to create a vibrant community engaging in technical
an ideal platform for all of these matters to be brought into the open and social events outside of the Calgary area, the Association expects
and discussed, and the CHOA is evolving to expand its role in the topics will focus on the areas of activity in these new areas, with
supporting the development of the industry. a stronger focus on topics such as refining and upgrading,
government policy and transportation, and less focus on topics such
Consensus surrounding the impact of societal energy consumption as drilling and completions. The Association is working hard to
continues to evolve, and the portion contributed by resource development incorporate elements from the Calgary model that will foster similar
is a significant part of that impact. The industry is working hard to success in the rest of the province and beyond, but still accommodate
incorporate this understanding into its development efforts and provide the important differences in that community, such as the broader
the best balance between development impacts and energy demand and geographical range and professional demographics.
security. However, in the broader global community, particularly in the
international arena, a number of misperceptions have been growing While most of the membership and activity remains in Alberta, there
about the industry and the extent of its contribution to the impact of is a growing international membership and increasing interest and
energy consumption. Industry and government are now looking to the opportunity for international collaborations. The CHOA is recognised
CHOA and the resource base represented by its membership to help as an important resource for foreign governments and foreign
deliver reliable and accurate information beyond its membership to a companies interested or engaged in the investment opportunities of
global community that is interested the potential of oilsands, in terms of oilsands development.
both the energy security it promises and the risks posed by its
development. To that end, the Association has been engaging its Supporting the growth in membership and activity presents many
membership to support activities in international conferences and other challenges that the Association is addressing. It is a dynamic time for
events in order to answer the questions that have been raised in response the organisation, and one of the biggest challenges is how to deliver
to what is often an incomplete picture portrayed of the industry. the same value proposition while expanding the scope of work and
new activities. As a not-for-profit organisation, the CHOA still relies
A recent collaborative initiative spearheaded by the CHOA is the almost completely on volunteers, but with growing industry support
development of the one-day course ‘Heavy Oil 101’, a comprehensive it expects to expand its resource base to meet the growing demand.
course for any professional wishing to learn more about heavy oil.
Covering all aspects of the industry, it addresses the most common How to Participate in and Benefit from the
questions about heavy oil and what makes it unique in the oil industry: Canadian Heavy Oil Association
What is steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD)? How are oilsands Anyone involved or interested in the heavy oil and oilsands industry
developed and mined for export? Why is heavy oil so important to the can enjoy benefits from participation in the CHOA. Membership fees
world? These questions and many more are answered – all in easily are among the most inexpensive of all industry associations, and
understandable layman’s terms. It is perfect for new employees to the membership benefits include the CHOA newsletter, advance notice
industry, for professionals seeking a better understanding of the heavy oil of Association events and discounts on fees for those events. The
sector, for finance people interested in understanding the technical risks activities are a valuable source of information, and material from
of investment opportunities and for policy-makers who need more most technical events is made available to the membership. ■
background for their work. The CHOA taps into its membership base to
secure instructors who are experts in their field and knowledgeable about For contact information and more about the CHOA, visit
the broader industry. The course is delivered in conjunction with CHOA-
www.choa.ab.ca
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EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION – OIL & GAS REVIEW 2008 – VOLUME 6 ISSUE II
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