RPS Business Development Co-ordinator, Gerry Belyk, recently received the Alberta Premier’s Award of Excellence for the successful implementation of the Heavy Oil Alberta Project (HOAP).

Through his volunteer position with the Canadian Heavy Oil Association (CHOA) as 2006-7 President, he partnered with the Alberta Government to design a programme to promote Canadian heavy oil, found primarily in Alberta.

Alberta’s heavy oil contributes 175bn barrels to Canada’s 179bn barrels of oil reserves, second only to Saudi Arabia in total global oil reserves.

The project was conceived in response to two factors: unprecedented international interest in heavy oil, with the ongoing decline of conventional light crude oil reserves, and robust oil commodity prices influencing commercial viability of heavy hydrocarbon exploitation.

With Alberta companies being among the world leaders in heavy oil, and with over 80 years of experience, HOAP aimed to enhance global awareness of the companies’ technologies and promote Alberta’s heavy oil capabilities.

This was accomplished through a series of sixteen heavy oil technical events in eight countries, extensive training seminars, and presentations and media coverage, accompanied by an international heavy oil market study.

The joint Alberta Government/CHOA marketing of Alberta heavy oil was very successful, and, in addition to the programme’s achievement, the Alberta government provided tremendous opportunity to promote the RPS name internationally.

Contact:
RPS Calgary - Energy
T: +1 (0) 403 265 7226