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8round the globe there are heavy oil deposits that information and to provide an opportunity to make social
have remained undeveloped due to a lack of local contacts within our industry.
expertise and the absence of economic benefit to
make it worthy of exploitation.
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Today there is new interest in these heavy oil reserves, About two years ago, the CHOA was approached by Gov-
driven by the new high price of oil, as these resources now ernment of Alberta to help support efforts to promote
have the potential to provide significant profits for many Alberta’s heavy oil industry around the world. This par-
companies and countries.
alleled calls from foreign oil companies and conference
Often, the limiting factor is how these companies and providers to give technical presentations on all aspects of
countries can develop these reserves, considering they its heavy oil technology and experience. The government
have no experience in producing heavy oil. They are now asked that we provide skilled and experienced profession-
turning to Alberta, which has superb experience in the full als who are able to speak on our heavy oil technology.
range of petroleum production from very light 45-degree
During this same time period, the CHOA chose
API oil down to the heaviest bitumen with the API as low to expand its role by offering insight into Alberta
as four. They need Alberta’s engineering consultancy ser- expertise to those outside the local industry. Recog-
vices, operational experience, products, and they may even nizing the alignment between the government’s needs
look to sign joint ventures supporting these requirements. and the CHOA’s new expanded role, the association
The Canadian Heavy Oil Association (CHOA) finds agreed to assist in promoting the heavy oil industry
itself at the heart of this new experience.
outside Alberta. These ongoing relationships have con-
The CHOA had its beginnings some 25 years ago when tributed to raising the awareness of the industry, and
heavy oil was not the darling of the industry that it is the leadership of CHOA members in its development.
today. A small number of industry friends sensed the need With funding and support from event organizers, oil com-
to provide mutual support—perhaps through a feeling of panies, and the Alberta Government, the CHOA has sent
self-preservation—and to share technical knowledge and representatives to various industry conferences, trade shows,
social activities.
and other events to make presentations and answer questions
Starting from these humble beginnings, the CHOA raised by event attendees regarding the heavy oil industry.
now has membership in the order of 1,300 people from all
The interest in heavy oil has been remarkable, even in
segments of the heavy oil industry, including producers, places where we thought heavy oil would be low on the
suppliers, engineering companies, and regulators. Over radar screen. In every case, people have sought out the
the years, it evolved into the form we see it today, providing heavy oil contingent because they recognize the future of
numerous technical sessions and social events. It continues the oil industry is in heavy oil, and they know the technol-
to be an association whose mandate is to share technical ogy development is being led by western Canada.
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