With less than 30 years left to meet net-zero targets, the impetus is greater than ever for Canada to tackle the energy trilemma of reliability, affordability and continue as a leader in sustainability. There are tremendous opportunities for Canadian businesses prepared for the disruption that energy transition is expected to bring.
And there are challenges. The transition will last for decades and consensus on what Canada’s energy future should look like has proven elusive. Adding to the complexity, there are many competing technologies in the race to net zero and the mix of energy types that will get us there, while becoming clearer, remains unsettled.
Canada is uniquely positioned to be a global leader in transforming energy systems and potentially, as a global supplier of choice for energy security. However, overhauling the country’s energy infrastructure represents an unprecedented technical challenge that will cost trillions of dollars and take years to complete.
At the 19th annual Calgary Energy Roundtable on Thursday, May 16th, a high-powered line-up of speakers shared their insights on these topics, including how they are affecting the competitiveness of the Canadian energy sector at home, and abroad. Topics included:
Calgary Energy Roundtable Conference
Thursday, May 16th, Imperial Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Calgary, 700 Centre Street S
| Conference MC | Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable | |
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| 7:20 am | Registration opens. Breakfast served. | |
| 8:00 am | Welcome remarks | |
| 8:05 am |
Virtual presentation: The energy outlook
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| 8:25 am | Panel discussion: The Energy Outlook. Canada’s upstream oil and gas industry and drilling services sector has a favourable outlook for 2024. Oil prices are expected to remain strong, demand will be robust, export capacity will increase, and investment and drilling activity are set to grow. The key question for Canadian oil and gas producers lies beyond 2024, as some believe that production is expected to peak by 2030 and then steadily decline, not just in Canada, but also globally, until 2050. A range of initiatives, from LNG to petrochemicals to hydrogen, offer promise for energy demand. Energy security concerns will potentially increase the value of supplies in Canada. However, despite global demand, many new energy projects are a non-starters as governments pledge deep decarbonization, which will include a cap on emissions, which will limit future production. The panel will provide perspectives on oil and gas development in Canada going forward.
Discussion led by: Evan Herbert, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP |
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| 9:05 am | Panel discussion: Investor perspectives on Canadian energy. Investors in Canadian energy have been on a rollercoaster ride over the past 5-10 years. With geopolitical disruption to energy markets, a renewed focus on energy security and a lack of investment in long term production, the Canadian energy sector has undergone a bull run, despite government pledges for deep decarbonization and barriers to industry expansion. With major energy infrastructure projects coming online and diversification into areas such as petrochemicals, hydrogen and renewables, can Canada still position itself as a global energy power? How does the fortunes of the Canadian energy sector impact the broader economy? The panel will provide investor perspectives on Canadian energy going forward.
Discussion led by: Christine Milliken, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP |
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| 9:50 am | Networking break | |
| 10:20 am | Fireside chat
Discussion led by: Dr. Lance Mortlock, Managing Partner, Energy & Resources, EY |
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| 10:45 am | Panel discussion: Energy infrastructure solutions. The energy transition is not just about sourcing clean energy, but investing in innovative infrastructure that will support a resilient and affordable low-carbon economy. The energy infrastructure sector is uniquely positioned to leverage sustainable opportunities that can lower carbon emissions for the sector, its customers and the broader economy. Utilizing technological innovations for carbon management, hydrogen and renewables and digital and AI, companies are exploring a multitude of options while keeping their eyes on returns on capital. The panel will discuss approaches to infrastructure investment that achieve decarbonization goals and trends for the sector.
Session chair: Waqar Syed, Managing Director, North American Energy Services and Head of U.S. Institutional Research, ATB Capital Markets |
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| 11:30 am | De-risking and advancing CCUS
In conversation with: Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable |
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| 11:50 am | The role of AI in the energy sector
In conversation with: Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable |
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| 12:10 pm | Luncheon. Hosted by  Afternoon session introduced by: Bryan Krause, Associate Partner, Oil & Gas, IBM |
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| 1:00 pm | Energy and industrial competitiveness. Canada and its trading partners are locked in an intense competition to draw high value manufacturing and services to their jurisdictions. These global investors typically have a mandate to source their energy and electricity inputs from non-emitting sources. Panelists will examine to role of energy market design, government supports and infrastructure in creating a competitive, innovative ecosystem for major industrial consumers and investments.
Discussion led by: Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable |
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| 1:40 pm | Fireside chat: First Nations ownership of energy projects. Increasing Indigenous ownership of Canadian energy projects represents a significant step towards reconciliation and sustainable development. Partnerships between Indigenous communities and energy companies not only provide economic benefits, but also allow Indigenous groups to assert greater control over their traditional lands and resources. Panelists will discuss approaches to indigenous ownership of energy projects.
Discussion led by: Billie Fortier, Partner, MLT Aikins |
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| 2:15 pm |
Break |
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| 2:30 pm | Panel discussion: Future workforce needs This panel discussion will consider the shifting dynamics of Canada’s energy industry and how Alberta can continue to be a key player in Canada’s economy. Adapting to the dual challenge of satisfying rising demands for secure, affordable energy and honoring commitments to carbon reduction, the industry is undergoing significant transformation. The panel will discuss the substantial demand for skilled talent, with research indicating a projected net hiring of approximately 110,000 to 116,000 positions from 2022 to 2035. Panelists will provide their insights into navigating Canada’s energy industry toward sustainability and prosperity, from enhancing workforce capabilities to harnessing innovative solutions.
Discussion led by: Bill Whitelaw, Managing Director, Strategy and Sustainability, geoLOGIC systems |
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| 3:15 pm | Panel discussion: The politics of energy security and technologies Energy security determines a nations productivity, impact’s its industrial capabilities, determines wealth and support’s social programs, and ultimately impacts food supply and price stability. The wealth of a nation is measured, and determined, by access to affordable and plentiful energy. The war in Ukraine has been a wake-up call to western nations regarding the potential impacts and consequences of not preparing for the geopolitics of energy security – an area where Canada can potentially play a leading role. Technologies such as energy storage, CCUS, hydrogen and SMRs have the potential to reshape energy ecosystems. These technologies are not only subject to the forces of commercial viability. They can be either advanced or held back depending on the political environment and which technologies are prioritized and how. This panel will examine both domestic and international implications of energy security, how we can develop realistic expectations about new technologies and their implementation, and Canada’s role in this new paradigm shift.
Discussion led by: Deborah Yedlin, President & CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce |
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| 4:00 pm | Close by Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable | |
| 4:15 pm | Networking reception. Hosted by  |
