ARC ENERGY IDEAS

What can we learn from a 100-year-old utility bill? Can it help us think more clearly about today’s energy issues, like polarized pipeline issues? Find out as we talk about Peter Tertzakian’s Energyphile project, a website that connects our energy past with a greater understanding of the present and future.In this week’s episode Peter talks about Energyphile, his online museum and new book, “The Investor Visit and Other Stories.”Listen and don’t forget to visit: https://energyphile.org/Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

This week we interview John Redfern, the President and CEO of Eavor. His company has invented a novel way for harvesting the earth’s geothermal energy based, in part, on their knowledge from drilling oil and gas wells. The solution is called the Eavor-Loop. The technology overcomes many of the issues that have hampered traditional applications. For instance, it is not limited to niche geographies and it circulates naturally, instead of using an energy intense pump. The Eavor-Loop has been successfully piloted in Alberta, and assuming the solution is successful at large-scale deployment, it would be a step forward into a low carbon future.To learn more about Eavor, visit their website https://eavor.com/Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

Corporations and financiers are making big climate commitments. First, we look at Cenovus Energy’s new net-zero 2050 commitment. The oil sands producer joins a club of other Canadian producers with big reduction targets.  Meanwhile, Microsoft announced the most ambitious corporate reduction goal yet, to be net-negative in a decade and by 2050 to remove all of their historical emissions dating back to when the company was formed in the 1970s. Starbucks also made a big pledge this week. We finish the discussion talking about the economic outlook and implications for oil demand, and why climate is factoring into this topic too.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

This week we interview Doug Suttles, President and CEO of Encana (soon to be Ovintiv). On January 14, 2020 Encana shareholders voted in favour to change the company’s name and to move corporate headquarters from Calgary to Denver. When the plan was first announced last fall, the decision fueled frustration in Alberta creating a vocal reaction from industry leaders and politicians. Doug explains the drivers for the changes, the reaction, and the implications for the firm’s investment in Canada. The discussion covers a range of topics including the competitiveness of Canadian oil and gas and the changing expectations of energy investors.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

This podcast reflects on 2019 to consider the big themes from the year. Next we look forward to think about what 2020 could bring. We reference Canadian oil and gas industry revenue and cash flow in this episode, see more information on the final page of our weekly ARC Energy Charts publication.Related to this podcast, see ARC Commentary “Big Questions for 2020.”Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

This episode was recorded on December 11th at the Young Women in Energy (YWE) Awards in Calgary.  We began by discussing why recognition and the sense of community for women in energy is important.  Next, we covered some of the pressing issues in energy and the type of leadership and diversity that is required to navigate these challenges. Katie Smith, the Executive Director of YWE joined us to ask questions submitted by the award winners. Congratulations to this years accomplished award winners!  For more information on YWE and to learn more about the women recognized this year, check out the YWE website.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

First we talk about the unveiling of the Tesla Cybertruck. Love it or hate it, you have to admit that Elon Musk puts on a good show. Musk takes a page from past pioneers of new ideas. These entrepreneurs recognized some bravado is needed to get people excited about revolutionary new products. Peter Tertzakian’s Energyphile.org project demonstrates this with the audio story of Max Valier, an early pioneer of rocket powered travel. Link to the audio story here.Next, we interview Regan Davis the CEO of STEP Energy Services. STEP is a Calgary based oilfield service company operating in Canada and the United States. Regan makes the case for buying local in these challenging times, to help ensure that Western Canada has the depth of oilfield capacity it needs long into the future.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

How long do energy transitions take? What is the potential for natural gas and Canadian LNG in the global energy transition?  What is the perception of Canadian energy internationally?  These are just some of the questions we asked Maria van der Hoeven. Van der Hoeven is a former Dutch politician that headed the International Energy Agency from 2011 to 2015. Under her leadership the IEA expanded its energy coverage and increased engagement with non-member countries.  She visited Calgary this past week as part of the Petronas International Speakers Series organized by the University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business. Maria van der Hoeven is currently a Senior Fellow at the Clingendael International Energy Programme (CIEP). This podcast references LNG economics of various countries, see “SnapChart – LNG Breakeven Cost Comparisons”.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

Seta Afshordi, Chief Operating Officer at Proton Technologies, says yes!  Seta explains how reactions in the oil reservoir can liberate the hydrogen while keeping the carbon emissions trapped. Hydrogen has long been viewed as a critical fuel in the transition to a low carbon economy due to its flexibility - it can replace natural gas  or be converted into electricity to power everything from wheels to cities.  The biggest barrier for hydrogen taking off  is the lack of a low cost, zero emissions way of producing it. Assuming Proton is successful at large-scale production, this could be a leap forward into a low carbon future.To learn more about Proton Technologies, visit their website http://proton.energy/Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

This week we explain the pitch in Saudi Aramco’s 653 page prospectus and why the Initial Public Offering (IPO) is a big deal.  Also covered in the show are themes from the tsunami of third quarter financial results from oilfield service firms and producers.  Finally, most outlooks for US oil production growth are being revised down, why and what are the implications?Here is a link for the Saudi Aramco Prospectus.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/