ARC ENERGY IDEAS

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’s historical decision to buy the pipeline last year, indigenous consultation and the next steps in the lengthy process. Ian helps clarify the facts on marine safety, explaining why the TMX has some of the most rigorous marine safety practices in the world. As referenced in the podcast, here is a link to the National Energy Board’s February 2019 Reconsideration Report that is over 600 pages long and contains detailed information on the project.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

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.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

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 modalities in the future.  We finish on the contentious Bill C-69 that aims to overhaul the review process for major infrastructure projects in Canada.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

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 policy makers should stop the growth of oil production from companies like ExxonMobil to combat climate change.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

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 comparing China Total Energy Demand vs Population. It also references past ARC commentaries, including the energy blog and pictures from Jackie’s summer vacation in China (China’s Energy Market: My View from the Bullet Train) and ARC’s past research on how a global ban on the sales of the internal combustion engine by 2040 would impact oil demand (The End of Oil Narratives are Misleading).Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

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 advantages, including carbon and cost competitiveness.This podcast references ARC commentaries, including LNG Breakeven Cost Comparisons and LNG Canada: Getting Back to the Objective.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

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 review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

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 economics for reaching the US Gulf Coast: Will Canada Help Fill the Heavy Oil Shortage on the US Gulf Coast?Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/

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 Court’s ruling on oil and gas environmental liabilities and the city of Victoria’s plan for a class action lawsuit to help with the costs of climate change.This podcast references past ARC Energy Research Institute commentary No One Wins at the Blame Game.Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/