Oil Sands

With the President of the United States having just described attributes of Canadian energy, my ears perked up when Imperial Oil President and CEO Bruce March was asked about the U.S.-Canada trade relationship in oil, yesterday.

To paraphrase the question from an audience member at the National Buyer/Seller Forum in Edmonton: ‘What’s the mood of the U.S. Government toward us after all the negative press and campaigning against the oil sands?’

“A lot different than the mood (reflected) in the media and by the environmental groups,” March replied. “I think the U.S. is interested in improving the security of supply (of petroleum energy)” even as it transitions to renewable and cleaner energy sources, he added.

Understanding of the value of Canada’s energy resources — and March pointed out that’s not just oil, but gas, hydro electricity and renewables — is growing among decision makers south of the border.

And, “I think overall the profile of what the oil sands looks like in the U.S. is slowly improving.”

There’s a video of President Obama’s remarks on energy security here.

Here’s more from March on oil sands issues, from 2008.

- David Sands