--> Abstract: Wind Energy and Petroleum: More Similar Than You Think, by Justin S. Thompson and Fred M. Gallagher; #90039 (2005)
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Wind Energy and Petroleum: More Similar Than You Think

Justin S. Thompson and Previous HitFredTop M. Gallagher
Vision Quest Windelectric, a Division of TransAlta Energy Corporation, Calgary, AB

This presentation will explore some interesting similarities and differences between wind energy resources and petroleum resources when it comes to their exploration and development. Although often thought of as quite dissimilar, the Canadian wind industry is becoming increasingly crowded with large oil and gas players. This is in part due to the capital intensive nature of the wind business and the potential for emissions offsets but also because there are some physical and practical parallels between how the two resources are developed. These parallels include, for example, the exploration and measurement of the "wind basin", the leasing of prospective lands, the optimal extraction of the resource, and the collection and delivery of the product into the market. On the other hand, there are some fundamental differences between the two industries which are important to recognize, such as the incredibly dynamic nature of wind resource across time and space, longer-term versus shorter-term returns, and surface rights versus sub-surface rights. In addition to exploring the topics above, the presentation will provide an overview of wind energy economics in the context of increased natural gas prices and a potentially carbon constrained economy.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90039©2005 AAPG Calgary, Alberta, June 16-19, 2005