Skip to content

Natural gas gets glowing review in report

Red Deer was one of eight Canadian cities to host meetings last year about natural gas production and use.

Red Deer was one of eight Canadian cities to host meetings last year about natural gas production and use.

Organized by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, the Canadian Gas Association, the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, the Canadian Society for Unconventional Resources and the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance, the gatherings included representatives from business, labour, academia, non-governmental and environmental organizations, and aboriginal communities. Industry officials were also in attendance, and provincial and federal government representatives were invited to attend as observers.

Dave Collyer, president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said the objective of the meetings was to hear Canadians’ perspectives on natural gas — including the associated challenges and opportunities — and to identify appropriate actions in response.

There were 20 participants at the Red Deer meeting, not including industry representatives. It took place last May.

The other venues were Fort St. John, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and Moncton.

A report on the results, which was issued on Thursday, said natural gas is seen as an affordable, secure and reliable fuel.

The potential economic benefits from increased domestic use and exports of liquefied natural gas were recognized, as was natural gas’s environmental superiority over other fuels.

Meeting participants identified challenges, including impacts on the environment and the communities where the resource is developed. Other concerns were related to the competitive global market, skilled labour shortages, and the challenge of achieving a balance between environmental protection and efficient and timely regulatory approvals.

Collyer acknowledged that the perspectives of those at the meetings in Red Deer and Fort St. John — where natural gas production is common — diverged sometimes from those at the meetings elsewhere in the country. One example was the issue of water, with the Red Deer meeting focused on the volumes of water used in gas production, while discussions elsewhere tended toward the risk of groundwater contamination.

“I think it’s fair to say that the less familiar people are with industry operating practices, and fracking in particular, the more uncertain they are about the potential for environmental impact, and particularly the impact on water quality,” he said.

The Red Deer meeting also revealed a higher level of concern about the competitiveness of Canadian natural gas in the North American and global markets, said Collyer, particularly in light of the large volumes of gas being produced from shale deposits in the United States.

“I think people in Red Deer clearly understand that the economy in Alberta and Western Canada is largely dependent on our ability to produce and sell oil and natural gas, and they see the changed market circumstances, which is changing the economic outlook for natural gas in North America.”

Collyer said industry will continue to seek input from Canadians.

“We’ve got plans in 2013 to do more local community outreach, in Alberta and British Columbia in particular.”

He said it’s important to find out what people think, particularly with new sources of natural gas making the fuel more abundant and affordable.

“The market has, in a way, turned on its head,” said Collyer, recalling how North America has moved from shortages to surpluses.

That’s resulted in changed perceptions about where natural gas should fit into the energy mix, and environmental and social concerns about new production techniques.

“All of that creates the case for getting out and talking with people and making sure we understand their perspectives and can address their concerns,” he said.

hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com