Welcome to CERI

Mission and Vision

Our mission is to provide relevant, independent and objective economic research in energy and environmental issues to benefit business, government, academia and the public.

The Institute envisaged by the Board of Directors is a unique research-focussed organization whose output and staff are very highly regarded and respected both in Canada and abroad.

CERI's economic studies are highly relevant and objective and the analysis and advice contained therein are sought by government and business planners and decision-makers.

CERI is envisaged as being a premier centre in its field in Canada and one of the most prestigious energy economics research institutes in the world. Because of its reputation, the Institute is often represented on national and international advisory panels and at conferences and symposiums deliberating energy and related environmental issues.

Members of the research team are proud to belong to an organization which is sought after by Canadian and foreign organizations because of its analytical capabilities and the insight and knowledge which it brings to a wide range of issues. Potential staff members are attracted to CERI literally from around the globe because of the challenging issues being addressed at the Institute and its reputation.

Mission

Natural Gas

CERI 2012 Natural Gas Conference
Going Global - Shifting the Focus of the Gas Industry
February 27 - 28, 2012 · Calgary TELUS Convention Centre · Calgary, Alberta

In the spring of 2007 there were 5 operating LNG re-gasification facilities in North America, all located within the continental United States, with a total send out capacity of 4.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d). At that time there were 6 additional facilities under construction with a combined send out capacity of 7 bcf/d. Also in development are: 7 facilities licensed pending start of construction with a total send out capacity of 21 bcf/d and an additional 23 facilities in various stages of permitting with a total send out capacity of 16 bcf/d. Total re-gasification capacity was estimated to reach 50 bcf/d by 2020. Roll forward to 2012, the re-gasification capacity, including under construction, has stalled and currently stands at 20.5 bcf/d with 4 facilities that have either converted to or are in the process of converting to a liquefaction facility to permit domestic gas, in the form of LNG, to be exported to overseas markets. The remaining proposed re-gasification facilities have all but disappeared from the FERC files.

The shale gas revolution that has been ramping up production over the past 4 to 5 years is responsible for the downward pressure on market prices. The current feeling among researchers is that market prices could remain below $5.50 for several years to come. What to do? Conversion of coal plants to gas generators is taking place but gas supply is still growing faster than gas demand. Do we need to look at the global LNG market to shed supply, and should it, and can it, be in a significant way?

Oil

CERI 2012 Oil Conference
Achieving Super Power Status
April 23 - 24, 2012 · The Fairmont Palliser · Calgary, Alberta

In its simplest form, a functioning oil market is a transparent and unconstrained interaction between supply and demand. For crude oil supply that utilizes the seas of the world to link supply to demand, such a market exists. Western Canada however, has an inherent problem in its supply/demand relationship; namely connectivity. The Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) has one primary export customer (United States PADD II), connected by land-based pipelines, and a smaller connection to Vancouver tidewater also utilizing land-based pipelines. On the supply side, the WCSB has started to see resurgence in conventional crude “re-development” through the use of horizontal well technology in old “thought to be depleted” oil reservoirs. This is in addition to the increasing supply availability from the oil sands. The result is a prospective shortage of pipeline capacity. More pipeline capacity or rail connections are needed. The bigger question is whether the new capacity should target markets to the south, our biggest market, OR west to gain access to new markets? Risks and rewards! What to do?

Petrochemical

CERI 2012 Petrochemical Conference
Pathways to the Future
June 3 - 5, 2012 • Delta Lodge at Kananaskis, Kananaskis, Alberta

On the surface it appears that the world economies have successfully recovered from the 2008 recession, but, the view of the future is at best like standing at a crossroads. Which way to go? Each road carries risks and rewards. The threat of a double-dip recession still lingers, the shale gas revolution continues unabated, the emergence of shale oil as a second energy revolution is starting to percolate, and the ever present political offerings are all elements that contribute to an unclear future.

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Oil Spills and First Nations: Exploring Environmental and Land Issues Surrounding the Northern Gateway Pipeline
February 2012

The Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project offers a classic example of the controversy that increasingly attaches itself to energy infrastructure projects: how to balance economic development with environmental conservation. Consequently, discussions surrounding the development of Northern Gateway have become controversial. Many stakeholders claim the economics overwhelmingly favour pipeline construction, while others favour a risk-averse approach towards anything that may potentially contaminate a pristine area. To further complicate matters, British Columbia First Nations land claims are not well established, and it is these lands which the pipeline would traverse; these are the areas that would be damaged if an oil spill were to happen. This report addresses many of the environmental issues, providing insight into Enbridge’s Environmental Impact Assessment; it also explores the recent history of aboriginal land claims and the degree to which First Nations retain traditional land rights in contemporary Canadian society.

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Pacific Access: Overview of Transportation Options
January 2012

While not a recent concept, oil tankers mooring off British Columbia’s west coast have caused quite a stir. In fact, oil tankers have been loading crude off the west coast since the 1,150 kilometre Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMX) opened in 1957. Thus far, Kinder Morgan’s Westridge Terminal remains the only oil terminal on Canada’s west coast.

This, however, may change.

There are currently 3 pipeline proposals and a rail proposal to transport crude oil from Alberta’s oil sands to the west coast. All aforementioned proposals require marine terminals to be built to transport crude oil to energy-hungry Asian markets. As such, these proposals are drawing a lot of attention—from industry, environmental groups, First Nations and various governments.

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Overview of Eastern and Atlantic Canada's Petroleum Industry and Economic Impacts of Offshore Atlantic Projects (2010 - 2035)

There has been a recent renewed interest in onshore hydrocarbon development in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador due to the region's significant potential. However, a host of issues including regulatory initiatives, public opposition, a lack of large scale commercial projects, and the infancy of the petroleum industry in this region, makes it difficult to establish an outlook for potential development over the long term. Meanwhile, offshore projects in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador have become the most relevant developments outside the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) over the last couple of decades and are expected to continue to be the focus of the industry over the coming decades.

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Emission Abatement Potential for the Alberta Oil Sands Industry and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Applicability to Coal-Fired Electricity Generation and Oil Sands

In an increasingly greenhouse gas (GHG) conscious environment, Alberta has faced criticism for its heavy emissions within the oil sands industry and its utilization of coal-fired generation. Oil sands development is an expanding industry with production expected to approximately triple in the coming decades; consequently, emissions will rise markedly and if left unhindered, the oil sands will be a significant emitter of GHGs in the future. Simultaneously, the higher emissions from coal power generation compared to other forms of electricity generation have incited a largely uncertain future for coal generation. Furthermore, the advent of a carbon tax in Alberta and Canada’s commitment to the Copenhagen Accord, have endorsed the proliferation of lower GHG intensity technologies. Consequently, under the aforementioned pressures, various stakeholders have hastened to devise schemes and promote technologies that reduce emissions in order to avoid significant future costs (both social and financial) that could hinder development. This has resulted in a myriad of technologies which range from improvements in efficiency, to deep-cuts in emissions through sequestration.

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