The meeting had four basic objectives: exchange information about technological innovations in heavy oil transportation, upgrading, and refining; share best practices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; discuss environmental remediation processes; and strengthen the regional relationship between members of the group.

In opening remarks, Carmen Sylvain, Canadian Ambassador to Colombia, and Frank Des Rosiers, Assistant Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada, emphasized the importance of a forum for dialogue that could identify challenges and opportunities for the heavy oil sector as well as seek solutions.

The meeting’s three sessions were moderated by Des Rosier; Eduardo Sánchez, Senior Climate Change Adviser for Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy; and Rodrigo Hernández Ordóñez, Deputy Director General of the Hydrocarbons Sector in Mexico’s Secretariat of Energy. Each session included presentations followed by a question and answer period.

The Heavy Oil Working Group was established in 2010 as a forum to share experiences with heavy oil, provide updates on the current state of technology, and discuss other areas of mutual interest, such as environmental and policy issues. The recent meeting—the group’s fourth—took place on the fringes of this year’s Heavy Oil Latin America Conference and Exhibition (HOLA).

See event agenda, here.

See event photo gallery, here.