Achieving Net Zero in the Canadian Oil Industry by 2050

How Caralyn Became Involved With the CHOA

Rachel: Caralyn, you are part of the top 275 female influencers in energy and have been named an outstanding role model for women in our industry. Congratulations! With that, how did you become involved with CHOA, and how does it feel to be a role model for women in the industry?

Caralyn: You know, the industry is at a crazy pivotal time. So when I think of that, I get really excited, and I get really energized, and I get determined. I want to make a difference in the industry, roll up my sleeves, and do my part.

I'm a big believer. I envision the heavy oil and oil sand sector will play a key role for Alberta, for Canada, and the globe for many decades. So, I'm super passionate about working to reset or morph the narratives that are often misleading around our industry.

It's also really important to me to reach out to future generations and attract those young, bright minds to our industry because we're going to need them to break a new trail for us. I am tremendously passionate about our existing workforce, and as a group, we are innovative, we're resilient, and, I think we're highly skilled.

If Canada were to leave us behind, it would be a massive loss and make the whole energy transition just that much more difficult for us to achieve as a society.

How the CHOA Contributes to the Oil and Gas Sector

Rachel: Can you tell us more about the Canadian Heavy Oil Association, who are your members and what is it that you do?

Caralyn: The CHOA exists to strengthen the Canadian energy sector and accelerate our members' careers. We do that by providing members and the general public with technical, social and educational programs that are all intended and designed to expand their knowledge, relationships, and influence in the heavy oil and the oil sands community.

Our vision is for Canada to be the world's most responsible and innovative energy resource developer. So when it comes to our membership, we're technical at our core with geoscientists and engineers, but it doesn't stop there. We cut across entire organizations. As an organization, we're doers, we create things, and we're known for sharing successes and failures.

How CHOA has Adapted With the Energy Industry

Rachel: Over the last 30 years, how have you seen the CHOA change with the energy industry?

Caralyn: Our problems and our themes have progressed. They've morphed over the last 35 years. Today, what we're focused on is our sustainability in ESG and reducing greenhouse gases. We're focused on innovating existing technologies, and we're focused on digitalization and future skills for our members and the industry.

What Visitors Can Expect From CHOA at the Global Energy Show

Rachel: During the Global Energy Show, the CHOA theatre is hosting experts over the three days of the event. Can you tell us more about what visitors can expect to take away from these presentations?

Caralyn: Our theatre is geared to three takeaways. The first one is really to elevate awareness. We want to elevate awareness with respect to Canada's energy sector, our commitment to society, and the role that heavy oil and oil sands play.

The second is to provide examples of how we're transforming, whether that's technology development, clean tech, IoT, or sustainability pathway work.

The third one is excitement. And that's excitement about all of the opportunities to make a difference.

Where CHOA fits Within Canada Net-Zero by 2050

Rachel: As Canada transitions towards net-zero 2050, where does the CHOA fit within the energy transition?

Caralyn: Certainly, Rachel, this is one of the grand challenges of our times. The CHOA's role will be to help the industry move past aspirations and find real pathways forward.
Unquestionably, there's going to be a focus on technology, innovation, sequestration and carbon capture use and storage. But as an organization, we will be thinking beyond scope one and scope two emissions to scope three because our industry needs to think about how we can develop new value-added products to target specific customer needs.

We're also thinking and looking beyond heavy oil and oil sands. We're going to find ways to help, connect, share, and learn with other sectors and industries because we want to create opportunities to leverage the experiences of each other so that we can all get there faster. We're going to be thinking in terms of energy systems. So that's hydrogen, geothermal, renewables, small modular reactors, and decentralized distribution.

Learn More About Canada Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 Goal

Creating a solid emissions reduction plan that reduces greenhouse gas emissions is key to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. However, these goals cannot be achieved without the support and leadership of individuals such as Caralyn.

As Canadians become more inspired to reduce emissions and work towards a net-zero future, they need major role models and leaders to guide them in the right direction.

If you're interested in learning more about topics like net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from those actively changing the game in North America's energy industry, register for the next Global Energy Show today.