Final Mission Report Travel to Europe and the U.S. Midwest January 28 to February 9, 2011

Transcription

1 Final Mission Report Travel to Europe and the U.S. Midwest January 28 to February 9, 2011 Executive Summary: Honourable Ron Liepert, Minister of Alberta Energy and Mr. Peter Watson, Deputy Minister, travelled to London, U.K. and Brussels, Belgium. The purpose of the trip was to promote Alberta as a leading source of secure energy, relay Alberta s commitment to environmentally responsible energy development and share our expertise and learn from other countries pursuing clean energy solutions. Minister Liepert then proceeded to the U.S. Midwest where he was joined by Jeff Johnson, MLA for Athabasca-Redwater and Parliamentary Assistant to the President of the Treasury Board, Diana McQueen, MLA for Drayton Valley-Calmar and Parliamentary Assistant for Energy and Gary Mar, Minister-Counsellor, Alberta s Washington Office. Mission Objectives: Europe Advocate for Alberta s oil and gas industry as a leading source of secure and reliable energy. Emphasize Alberta s commitment to sustainable and responsible energy development. Promote investment opportunities in Alberta s energy sector. Proactively counter misconceptions about Alberta s energy development, particularly in regard to the potential European Union Fuel Quality Directive, which would unfairly single out oil sands derived fuels in the European market. U.S. Midwest Profile Alberta as a secure, reliable and responsible energy supplier. Advance Alberta s clean energy story. Profile Alberta s role in North American energy security and economic recovery. Maintain investor confidence in Alberta s oil sands. Mission Program: Friday, January 28 and Saturday, January 29, 2011 Travel to London, U.K. Sunday, January 30, 2011 No scheduled program Monday, January 31, 2011 Meeting with the Alberta U.K. Office The Minister and Mr. Watson met with Mr. Jeffrey Sundquist, Managing Director of the Alberta U.K. Office to discuss details of the London itinerary. Meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom The Minister and Mr. Watson met with Mr. James Wright, Canadian High Commissioner to the U.K. to discuss emerging European energy issues that may impact Alberta.

2 Meeting with the Carbon Capture and Storage Association The Minister and Mr. Watson met with Dr. Jeff Chapman, Chief Executive of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association to provide an update on Alberta s progress with carbon capture and storage projects. Roundtable luncheon with Canadian High Commissioner to the U.K. The Minister and Mr. Watson attended a working lunch hosted by High Commissioner Wright and attended by industry, Government of Canada and Government of Alberta officials. Tour of Lloyd s of London The Minister and Mr. Watson attended a tour of Lloyd s of London to gain a better understanding of the insurance and reinsurance market and the importance of this industry for oil sands projects. Meeting with Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs in the U.K. The Minister and Mr. Watson met with the Honourable Lord Howell to relay Alberta s commitment to responsible oil sands development and the potential role of this resource as a safe and reliable energy source for Europe. Tuesday, February 1, 2011 Meeting with U.K. Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change The Minister and Mr. Watson met with the Honourable Charles Hendry to showcase Alberta s commitment to responsible oil sands development and a source of reliable energy for global markets. Speaking address to Canadian missions abroad The Minister spoke to Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade representatives from various European-based missions to discuss the opportunities and challenges of oil sands development. Meeting with industry associations The Minister and Mr. Watson met with representatives from the Global Oil and Gas Industry Association for Environmental and Social Issues and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers to discuss European energy issues. Meeting FirstEnergy Capital The Minister and Mr. Watson met with representatives from FirstEnergy Capital to showcase investment opportunities in Alberta s energy sector. Meeting with AMEC The Minister and Mr. Watson met with representatives from AMEC to highlight opportunities to expand interests in Alberta s energy sector. Wednesday, February 2, 2011 Roundtable meeting with investors

3 The Minister and Mr. Watson met with some of London s key energy portfolio managers to discuss opportunities for investment in Alberta s energy sector. Meeting with Rothschild The Minister and Mr. Watson met with representatives from Rothschild to discuss interests in Alberta s oil and gas sector. Travel to Brussels, Belgium Thursday, February 3, 2011 Meeting with Mission of Canada to the EU The Minister and Mr. Watson met with Canada s representatives to the EU to discuss energy developments in Europe. Minister s Speaking Opportunity Minister Liepert addressed Members of European Parliament to highlight the significance of Alberta s oil sands in meeting rising global energy demand and the Province s commitment to sustainable energy development. Meetings with Members of European Parliament The Minister and Mr. Watson had a number of one-on-one meetings with Members of European Parliament to discuss Alberta s commitment to responsible oil sands development as well as the potential impacts of the proposed European Union Fuel Quality Directive, which would unfairly discriminate against oil sands derived fuels. Meeting with EU Commissioner for Energy The Minister and Mr. Watson met with Commissioner Gunther Oettinger to discuss the potential impacts of the EU s proposed Fuel Quality Directive on Alberta s oil sands and to emphasize the importance of this resource for long-term European energy security. Dinner hosted by the Canadian Ambassador to the EU The Minister and Mr. Watson attended a working dinner hosted by Ambassador Ross Hornby and attended by select industry representatives and Government of Canada officials. Friday, February 4, 2011 Meeting with Total The Minister and Mr. Watson met with the Vice-President of European Affairs for Total to highlight Alberta s attractive and stable energy investment opportunities. Meeting with Bellona Foundation The Minister and Mr. Watson met with representatives from Bellona Foundation s EU office to discuss energy issues of mutual interest, including Alberta s leadership in the development of carbon capture and storage technology.

4 Meeting with British Petroleum The Minister and Mr. Watson met with British Petroleum s Director of European Government Affairs to relay Alberta s commitment to responsible energy development and the attractive and stable oil sands investment opportunities. Meeting with representatives for the EU s Commissioner for Climate Action The Minister and Mr. Watson met with the Chief of Cabinet for Commissioner Connie Hedegaard to discuss the proposed Fuel Quality Directive and its possible impacts on Alberta s oil sands industry. Meeting with GDF Suez The Minister and Mr. Watson met with representatives from GDF Suez to discuss investment opportunities in Alberta s energy sector. Saturday, February 5, 2011 Travel from Brussels, Belgium to New York Sunday, February 6, 2011 Travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota Monday, February 7, 2011 Meeting with representatives from the Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis The meeting allowed the Alberta delegation and representatives from the Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis to discuss the economic and trade linkages between Alberta and Minnesota. Meetings with Minnesota legislators The meetings were used as strategic opportunities to network with legislators, as well as to advance Alberta s importance in North American energy security and economic recovery. Legislator meetings included: Minnesota State Senator Julie Rosen Minnesota State Representative Denny McNamera Minnesota State Senator Tom Bakk Tuesday, February 8, 2011 Meeting with Iracore International The Alberta delegation met with representatives from Iracore, a company that has an interest in Alberta s oil sands supply chain and has demonstrated the tangible benefits of oil sands development in Minnesota. Energy Salon for Media Minister Liepert and Mr. Mar participated in a media event, organized by the Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis, where the Minister spoke about Alberta s clean energy story and outlined the importance of oil sands development for a Minnesota audience.

5 Meeting with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Parliamentary Assistants McQueen and Johnson met with the Chamber to outline the important energy-related linkages between the economies of Alberta and Minnesota. Minister Liepert and Mr. Mar travel to Peoria, Illinois and Parliamentary Assistants McQueen and Johnson travel to Chicago, Illinois Wednesday, February 9, 2011 Meeting with Caterpillar Inc. Minister Liepert and Mr. Mar met with representatives from Caterpillar, a company that produces heavy machinery used extensively in Alberta s oil sands development, making it a significant oil sands supply chain operator. Meeting with the Canadian Consulate in Chicago Parliamentary Assistants McQueen and Johnson met with representatives from the Canadian Consulate in Chicago, Illinois to outline Alberta s economic linkages to Illinois as well as emphasize the importance of Alberta s oil sands for North American energy security and economic recovery. Travel to Edmonton, Alberta Approved by Ron Liepert, Minister of Energy: Approved by Peter Watson, Deputy Minister of Energy: Approved by Diana McQueen, MLA: Approved by Jeff Johnson, MLA: