ARC ENERGY IDEAS

Investment, Regulation, and a Letter to the Prime Minister — with Tamarack CEO Brian Schmidt

Sep 23, 2025
Brian Schmidt, Founder and CEO of Tamarack Valley Energy, shares insights from Alberta's oil industry. He discusses the unique characteristics of the Clearwater play, advanced drilling technologies, and the significant role of Indigenous partnerships in operations. Brian highlights regulatory challenges and the impact of pipeline capacity on investment decisions. He reveals how investor focus on ESG has evolved and how recent government messaging is changing sentiments towards energy investment. The conversation dives into the future of capital allocation and needed policy reforms for sustained growth.
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ANECDOTE

Multi‑Generational Oilfield Roots

  • Brian Schmidt's grandfather hauled boiled axle grease from early Waterton wells because there was no market for crude oil then.
  • That family history framed Schmidt's lifelong connection to Alberta oil and gas operations.
INSIGHT

Technology Unlocks Old Reservoirs

  • Tamarack shifted from Cardium/Viking to Clearwater and Charlie Lake driven by modern horizontal and multilateral drilling tech.
  • Bigger horizontal meterage unlocks previously uneconomic reservoirs without needing thermal methods.
INSIGHT

Non‑Thermal Heavy Oil Production

  • Clearwater heavy oil can flow without steam in pockets where viscosity allows natural movement.
  • Tamarack counters slow flow by drilling more horizontal meters rather than relying on thermal recovery.
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