REGINA - The Williston Basin Petroleum Conference has a long and successful history and will be celebrating its 30th anniversary on May 2-3 in Regina.
This year's conference includes the first Saskatchewan carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) summit. Premier Scott Moe will give the opening day's keynote address and Energy and Resources Minister Jim Reiter will be engaging in a fireside chat.
The Williston Basin plays a major role in the productivity and resiliency of Saskatchewan's oil and gas industry. Both Canada and the United States have a shared stake in its management and development. A collaborative approach to development, through conferences like this, is key to ensuring this precious natural resource has a prosperous future.
"Our government and industry partners are continuing to develop and advance innovative ideas in natural resources, and this conference provides the opportunity to share our knowledge and learn from others," Reiter said.
"I'm proud of our people in these sectors - their work is one of the reasons we have the quality of life we do in Saskatchewan. Bringing together industry leaders in a forum like this is one more way we can promote and expand the abundant potential of our province."
"This year's Williston Basin Petroleum Conference has seen sponsorships and participation from across Canada and around the world," Petroleum Technology Research Centre CEO Ran Narayanasamy said. "International participants clearly highlight that Saskatchewan has what the world needs in terms of sustainable natural resources.
“This conference reflects the strength of Saskatchewan's diverse and resource-rich economy and its leadership in sustainable energy, CCUS, lithium, helium and geothermal energy."
As the second-largest oil producer in Canada and fifth largest in North America, Saskatchewan's oil and gas industry is a major economic driver. It is a significant source of private investment and technological innovation and provides direct and indirect full-time jobs to nearly 30,000 people.
For 2022, the value of oil and natural gas production was approximately $17 billion.