.jpg)
The Williston Basin Petroleum Conference is set to begin Tuesday in Regina, kicking off three days of conversation on the future of oil and gas production.
Running through Thursday, the conference alternates annually between Regina and Bismarck, North Dakota. This year’s event marks a return to basics, according to Norm Sacuta, Director of Communications with the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC).
“In the past few years, we have focused not just on oil and gas, but on other commodities like lithium and helium found in the Williston Basin,” Sacuta explained. “But this year we decided to get back to oil and gas production, to designing more effective and efficient ways, and environmentally friendly ways, of getting oil and gas underground.”
The Williston Basin, which spans parts of Saskatchewan, Alberta, North Dakota, and Montana, is a significant hub for energy production.
Sacuta said attendees can expect a wide range of high-quality technical presentations showcasing innovations that could reduce environmental impacts while improving production efficiency.
“This is the main focus of the conference this year,” Sacuta noted. “We have a lot of interesting technologies that are being discussed, including the new multi-phase wells, which aren't just horizontal wells that are drilled into formations anymore.”
The conference will also feature a number of notable speakers. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe will kick off the event with a fireside chat alongside Jeff Lawson, the Chief Sustainability Officer of Cenovus Energy, discussing key issues facing the oil and gas sector. Following that, a panel moderated by PTRC CEO Ran Narayanasamy will include industry representatives and Saskatchewan’s Minister of Energy and Resources, Colleen Young.
While full conference registration is $600, Sacuta noted there are student rates available at roughly half the cost. There may also be reduced admission options for those who simply wish to explore the trade show floor, offering opportunities for students and job-seekers to connect with industry representatives.
More information, including the full agenda and ticket details, can be found on the conference website.
Sacuta emphasized the conference’s appeal to a broad audience of those who have a stake in the oil and gas industry. “Whether that means you're a farmer who has mineral rights and you've been making some money off of your oil and gas, or whether it's even if you're environmentally concerned about how to produce oil in a more sustainable way, or if you're a company, whether it's a field supply company or an actual producer who is interested in finding out the latest in technologies, this is the main focus of the conference this year.”