Speeches

Delivered on March 24, 2009
Poza Rica, Mexico

Introduction

• Good afternoon.

• On behalf of the Government of Alberta it is a pleasure to be here today.

• One of the most important roles my Ministry of International and Intergovernmental Relations has is to help connect Alberta companies with opportunities abroad…

• …and if there is one thing I have learned over the last few days, there are many opportunities in Mexico.

• Mexico already stands as Alberta's fourth largest trading market and our two-way trade is valued at more than $1.9 billion.

• I think this may be just the tip of the iceberg.

• This may be a fitting analogy for Alberta and Mexico because the potential for greater economic collaboration exists because of what is under us…oil and gas.

• Here in Poza Rica and the Chicontepec (Chick-on-te-peck) basin, you have tremendous untapped potential in oil exploration and development.

• I was intrigued to learn the basin has the largest terrestrial oil reserves in Mexico.

• As you may know, Alberta is home to the second largest proven oil reserve in the world…the oil sands.

• Like the oil in the Chicontepec (Chick-on-te-peck) basin, the oil sands are heavy oil…and Alberta has had to develop innovative approaches to extract this resource.

• The ten Alberta companies here are experts in their craft…and they can be a tremendous asset in helping you develop the wealth of this important region.

• Alberta companies have expertise in a wide variety of areas, including directional drilling and coil tubing.

• They use and develop state-of-the-art equipment and services for drilling and producing shallow conventional heavy oil reservoirs.

• As well…they use innovative technologies for heavy oil production, up-grading and enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, including gas injection, in-situ production and carbon capture and sequestration.

• Alberta companies are also working diligently to enhance innovative land remediation and reclamation projects.

• And they have the technology to help expand Mexico's pipeline connections.

• But they are the experts, so I will leave the technical discussion for their presentations.

• From a government perspective, Alberta's role is to help open doors for our companies and look for ways to partner with Mexico.

• Unlike the United States, which is our largest market for oil and gas, Mexico has its own vast energy resources.

• As energy exporters, one of our primary objectives should be to explore how we can leverage each others expertise in energy development.

• And to continue to look for emerging opportunities and areas for greater collaboration.

• Alberta was very pleased to host a large group from PEMEX at the 2008 Global Petroleum Show in my hometown of Calgary.

• Events like these, and the one here today, help provide a platform to move forward and strengthen relations.

Conclusion

• On behalf of the Government of Alberta and the companies here today, I would like to thank PEMEX for reciprocating and hosting today's event.

• I know the rest of the discussion and presentations will prove valuable…and I wish everyone here today continued success.

• Thank you.