Oil & Gas Development
in Alberta and Public Safety

Date:   Thursday, April 6, 2006

Time:   Registration:  11:15 a.m.
              Luncheon:      11:45 a.m.
              Speaker:        12:15 p.m.

Location:  The Carriage House Inn, 9030 Macleod Trail South

Cost:  $30 Members and Guests, $15 Students

Guest Speaker:   Marilyn Craig, Alberta Energy & Utilities Board

Oil and Gas development is a major contributor to Alberta's economic growth. About 1/3 of the remaining natural gas resource in the province is considered to be sour; in other words it contains hydrogen sulphide. Hydrogen sulphide is a highly toxic substance which must be carefully managed in order to protect workers and members of the public. In order for the public to continue to support on-going development of this important resource, a stringent regulatory system must be in place to protect public safety and the EUB must demonstrate to stakeholders that the regulatory system is effective.

The presentation will focus on the EUB Public Safety and Sour Gas initiative which has resulted in numerous improvements in several areas including:

To ensure adequate seating, please pre-register with the Calgary APEGGA Office at 262-7714 prior to Monday, April 3, 2006. Calgary Branch accepts Visa, MasterCard, or American Express for tickets sold prior to the day of the event.

Fast Food vs Slow Coffee
What's the Right Approach for Hydraulic Fracturing?

Date:   Thursday, April 20, 2006

Time:   Registration:  11:15 a.m.
             Luncheon:      11:45 a.m.
             Speaker:        12:15 p.m.

Location:  The Fairmont Palliser Hotel, 133 – 9th Avenue SW

Cost:  $35  Members and Guests, $17 Students

Guest Speaker:   Ron Gusek, P.Eng.
                                            

Hydraulic fracturing is the key to success in many oil and gas wells around the world and has been used to improve production in low permeability reservoirs for many years.  Having acknowledged that hydraulic fracturing plays such a vital role in our industry, it is puzzling to see how often fracturing is treated like fast food.  Frac designs are based on what was done on the well before, what the other operator is doing, what is the least expensive – a cookie cutter, assembly line, fast food type approach.  Is there extra value in going to the coffee shop to wait for the venti double mocha soy latte or should you just stick with the large black coffee to go from the local drive thru window? 

Some might disagree, but an argument could be made for the fact that a hydraulic fracture is the most complex operation ever undertaken on a wellbore.  It brings together fracture mechanics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics and thermal mechanics.  How can we begin to understand, and optimize, something as complex as a hydraulic fracture, and is there any point?  This presentation will look at the value of optimizing fracture treatments.  It will also show how the use of far field fracture diagnostic tools such as tiltmeters and microseismic can aid in the process.  Case studies from western Canada and elsewhere will be used to help answer the question.

Changing Market Environments
To ensure adequate seating, please pre-register with the Calgary APEGGA Office at 262-7714 prior to Monday, April 17, 2006. Calgary Branch accepts Visa, MasterCard, or American Express for tickets sold prior to the day of the event.

Volunteers Needed
2006 Calgary Mining Forum

We are looking for members to volunteer to staff the APEGGA booth at the 2006 Calgary Mining Forum. The tradeshow part of the forum is on Wednesday, April 26 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Thursday April 27 from 8:00 am to 3:00pm. The shifts will be broken down into two hour slots.

If you are able to volunteer, please contact Althea Adams at 262-7714 or aadams@apega.ca

Professional Geologists and Geophysicists Needed
2006 CSPG – CSEG – CWLS Joint Convention

We are looking for Professional Geologists and Geophysicists to volunteer to staff the APEGGA booth at the 2006 CSPG – CSEG – CWLS Joint Convention. The tradeshow part of the convention is on Monday, May 15 from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, and Tuesday, May 16 from 8:30 am to 6:00pm. The shifts will be broken down into two hour slots. As a volunteer you will receive an exhibitor pass for the day to enjoy the entire tradeshow. The first professional to volunteer for a minimum of three shifts will receive a complimentary convention delegate registration. This registration includes one Ice Breaker ticket, access to the Technical Sessions and the Core Conference, access to the Exhibition Hall, and one Core Meltdown ticket.

If you are able to volunteer, please contact Althea Adams at 262-7714 or aadams@apega.ca