Estimated shale gas potential is huge in Eastern Canada and although opportunities are plentiful, there are a number of challenges to overcome.

Attend the Canadian Institute’s inaugural Eastern Canada Shale Gas Symposium and get tools and tactics that you can implement right away to allow your organization to thrive in this emerging market. Be a part of the conversations as our outstanding speaker faculty discuss:

* The changing North American natural gas supply/demand landscape and what this means for infrastructure and the industry
* Preparing for future environmental challenges of shale gas production
* Plans, operations and potential in Eastern Canada
* The latest in drilling and fracking techniques to save you money and maximize yield
* Creating an exemplary shale gas industry and how industry is working to debunk myths around shale production

Join us on March 29 & 30 in Montreal as this event will bring together the top experts and industry leaders to share experiences, expertise, ideas and insights. Gain knowledge to make the best decisions on your next business move! Register today by calling 1-877-927-7936 or online

DAY 1 – Tuesday, March 29, 2011 8:00 Registration and Coffee Served 9:00 Opening Remarks from the Conference Co-Chairs Peter K. Dorrins Chief Operating Officer, JUNEX Inc. Basim Faraj Director Faraj Consultants Pty Ltd 9:15 Putting the Utica & Lorraine Shales into Context: A Progress Report on North American Shale Gas Plays and the Challenges Ahead Don Warlick President, Warlick International * A summary of the current status of Canadian and American plays from early evaluation to initial exploration/drilling to expansion and commercial development * Evolution and timelines experienced in the development of unconventional plays * Characteristics of these uptrending plays: Economics and metrics, drilling and completion experience, financing/joint ventures, future trends * What’s taking place in the new wet gas developments like the Eagle Ford Shale and how will similar plays evolve in the near term? * What’s ahead: The outlook for shale development in Canada and the U.S. 10:00 Exploring the Commercial Viability and How the Production of Shale Gas is Rearranging the North American Supply-Demand Picture Edward Kallio Director, Gas Consulting, Ziff Energy Group * Exploring the technologies which have opened up shale as a commercial resource, namely horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracture techniques * Examining the North American cost curve and understanding why this is important * Painting the supply/demand picture for natural gas: o Where gas is growing and where it’s going? o Forecasting shale to 2020 for the major shale plays and some second tier plays o Overall North American supply picture to 2020 o Determining where demand is at and how it will grow * Realizing the drivers for liquefaction of North American gas * Some observations on gas disposition and pipeline infrastructure * Identifying issues with Western Canadian gas and gas supply o Understanding why this excess gas may not flow down TransCanada * Understanding which pipes will be loaded? Will gas continue to back into Western Canada? 10:45 Networking Coffee Break Sponsored by: 11:00 Anticipating Growth in Major North American Unconventional Production: Redrawing the Pipeline Map Jeff Wright Director, Office of Energy Projects Federal Energy Regulatory Commission * Production growth assumptions and the movement of gas across the Gulf into the SE/Gulf supply bubble * Shale plays and the impact of production growth in these areas on pipeline capacity and take-away capacity to market * Exploring the impact of other infrastructure such as LNG and gas storage * Marcellus Shale developments and future of northeast U.S. supply options * What impact will the Rocky Mountain Express have on flow dynamics of gas on the U.S. Northeast? * What are the implications for producers and competing sources of supply? 11:45 Minimizing Risk and Preparing for the Future Environmental Challenge of Shale Gas Production: Balancing Science, Policy and Public Perception – The NY State Experience John P. Martin, Ph.D. Senior Project Manager, Energy Resources R&D New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Though similar to conventional hydrocarbon plays, full exploitation of shale gas resources creates a few unique challenges for both operators and regulators. In New York State, for example, these unique characteristics have been magnified at the policy level leading to a serious review of drilling practices. This changing regulatory landscape creates significant opportunities and threats that dictate the market situation. When the context shifts to energy economics and national security, the role of shale gas as a future fuel source takes on a new importance in the national dialogue. This presentation will focus on these key points: * The nature of the environmental risk of full-scale shale development * Potential regulation and associated market risks * Strategies to avoid potential regulatory problems * The role shale development may play in North America’s energy future 12:30 Networking Luncheon for Delegates and Speakers 1:45 Geological Factors that Impact Shale Gas Production in Eastern Canada Denis Lavoie, Ph.D. Co-Editor Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada Natural Resources Canada * Describing how Eastern Canada shales are geologically distinct * Which geological and geochemical parameters cause the accumulation of black shale reservoirs? * Examining thermogenic vs biogenic gas production; current ideas and geochemical typing * Exploring black shales in eastern North America; the common themes and the differences. Focussing on depositional history, tectonic setting and deformation. Focussing from older to younger shales on palinspastic reconstructions. * What geochemical and geophysical factors account for variable production across a continuous accumulation reservoir? How does that relate to a play like the Marcellus or Barnett shale? * Examining Utica/Lorraine: geological context, similitudes and differences * Discussing some of the models used to estimate total potential gas: Why is there such a disparity between the high and low estimations? * What work still needs to be done geologically as the shale gas industry matures? * Examining Utica/Lorraine – Frederick Brook/Horton Bluff: detailed internal stratigraphy, detailed mineralogical characterization, characterization of organic matter and isotopic typing of natural gas, local and stress fields in relationships with natural fractures, evaluation of free vs absorbed gas 2:30 Optimizing Shale Gas Development: Exploring Solutions to Top Subsurface Development Uncertainties Ryan Mohr, P.Geol. Geologist, NE BC Nexen Inc. 3:00 Networking Refreshment Break Sponsored by: 3:15 Commercializing the Quebec shale gas Discovery: Understanding the Key Elements that Need to be in Place and Challenges that May Arise Along the Way Michael Binnion President & CEO, Questerre Energy Corporation * Identifying the prerequisites for shale gas production in new areas * Exploring examples of how Questerre has/is overcoming hurdles in their operations * Update on Utica operations and anticipated production rates Panel Session 3:45 Exploring Opportunities and Challenges in Eastern Canada’s Emerging Shale Gas Plays Quebec’s Utica Play Peter K. Dorrins Chief Operating Officer, JUNEX Inc. Douglas Brett President and CEO, Canadian Quantum Understanding New Brunswick’s Moncton Sub Basin Steven J. Hinds, M.Sc, P.Geo Sr. Hydrocarbon Resources Geologist, Geological Surveys Division, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources Corridor Resources Inc. (invited) Each individual panel member listed below will look to address the various items identified and each segment will conclude with an interactive Q & A period with the speakers * Understanding how the various eastern Canada shale plays compare to other existing and emerging North American plays * Locating the best fairways and estimating the ultimate potential of the play * Assessing the existing infrastructure, capacity for gas delivery, and expected demand * Estimating timelines from the present through to commercial production * Discussing the future of the play in a regional and continental gas market context 5:30 Chair’s Recap and Conference Adjourns Day 2 – Wednesday, March 30, 2011 8:00 Coffee Served 9:00 Opening Remarks from the Conference Co-Chairs Peter K. Dorrins Chief Operating Officer, JUNEX Inc. 9:15 Social Acceptability: Moving Towards a Definition and Shared Understanding of its Significance and Contribution to Decision-Making from Public Policy Development to Project Planning Gilles Côté, Ph.D. Project Leader, Aecom Tecsult This presentation is based on the findings from a two-year research study undertaken by a research group associated with the Université du Québec à Rimouski on social acceptability of wind farm projects in Eastern Quebec. The findings will help to discuss the current situation of shale gas exploration activities in Quebec. * Establishing relevant theoretical reference points to understand social acceptability * Laying the foundations of a social acceptability approach using various levels and approaches 10:00 Water Resource Considerations for the Development of Shale Gas: The Role of Formation Brines on Flowback Composition Mark A. Engle, Ph.D. Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey Development of shale gas is intrinsically tied to several water resource issues. This presentation will focus on water-energy relationships to be considered for the development of continuous hydrocarbon resources. Work in the Appalachian Basin, where the Devonian-age Marcellus Shale and Ordovician-age Utica Shale are key shale gas targets, will be used to show the control of naturally-occurring formation waters on flowback water chemistry, including the characterization and importance of radionuclides and organic compounds. Key items to be covered include: * Discussion on an initial examination on the source of both the solutes and the water comprising the flowback fluids * Exploring how the U.S. Geological Survey develops their water budget methods to estimate hydraulic fracturing water volumes and water disposal volume requirements * Examining several key water resource and disposal considerations to provoke further thought on these issues for future development 10:45 Networking Coffee Break 11:00 Meeting the Fluid Management Challenges of Shale Gas Plays Chad A. Randal C.E.T. Founder, Amperage Energy Inc. * Outlining best practices and strategies to reduce water consumption in Canadian shale gas plays * Exploring the economic and environmental benefits of effective water recycling strategies in shale gas development * Understanding the challenges of different facets of the water management cycle: o Supply, Storage; Treatment; Reuse and disposal; Winter-related issues * Investigating alternatives to fresh water use, and discussing the impact that has on operating costs and project permitting 11:30 am - Examining Haynesville Shale Study Results on Water Use Balance and Recycling Processes Alex Stickler Director, Oil & Gas Technologies HATCH 12:00 Building Microseismic Fracture Mapping Techniques into the Well Completion and Field Development Planning Process Craig Cipolla Chief Engineering Advisor, HFM, Schlumberger Making a shale gas play work requires carefully executed stimulation and completion techniques, and only an informed decision-making process can secure a winning strategy. What is the best way to go about collecting the information needed to develop a project’s plans? * Learn the options available in: o Modeling; Survey design; Microseismic detection and location; Uncertainty analysis; Data integration * Exploring ways to maximize collected data to increase productivity * Discover how to incorporate project tools in the planning phase so that the best information is always available to move a project forward 12:45 Networking Luncheon for Delegates and Speakers 2:00 Drilling & Fracking: Reduce Costs and Maximize Yield through Proven Methods of Preparation, Planning, New Techniques and Technologies Rocky Mottahedeh, P. Eng. P.Geol (tentative) Petroleum Geologist / Petroleum Engineer United Oil & Gas Consulting Tim Leshchyshyn P.Eng. President, Fracturing Horizontal Well Completions Inc. * Outlining key factors that determine your drilling program on shale plays * Examining costs, production and technology application of the Montney play * Discussing how to best optimize your well pattern footprint * Reducing well costs through logging during horizontal drilling operations * Outlining the advantages and challenges of monitoring a drilling operation remotely * Overcoming the cumbersome aspects of integrating geology and drilling data * Building efficiencies into an ongoing operation through updated three-dimensional geo-modelling * Optimizing well plans and drilling strategies through geological awareness * Maintaining the drilling path to reduce completion costs * How can a knowledge of shale sensitivity and fracture conductivity inform your drilling strategy? 3:00 Networking Refreshment Break Panel Discussion 3:15 Creating an Exemplary Shale Gas Industry in Eastern Canada Rich Nyahay Manager, Geology and Geophysics, Gastem USA Joe Van Overberghe Executive Director, Ontario Petroleum Institute John P. Martin, Ph.D. Senior Project Manager, Energy Resources R&D New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Other Panel Members TBD * Exploring how the industry is addressing common concerns for shale gas production like greenhouse gas emissions, water, dust and noise * Realizing how technology continually improves industry standards and best practices and understanding in which areas Canada is leading the way * Understanding how unconventional gas production benefit the local economy * How are challenges like lack of local service providers and skilled labour being addressed? How are these aspects impacting current projects? * What are some things that industry can do and is doing to get local stakeholder support? 4:15 Chair’s Recap and Conference Adjourns