Report On the 24th Annual Technical Meeting
Authors: Milner S. 
Published: March 2010

THE EXCHANGE of technical information in the area of enhanced recovery between Canada and the Soviet Union was the highlight of the 24th Annual Technical Meeting of The Petroleum Society of CIM, held in Edmonton, May 8th through to the 12th, 1973.

It was pointed out during the meeting that Soviet research in the area of enhanced recovery is at the present time among the top-priority subjects of, the oil and gas industry of the Soviet Union. This international meeting, complete with simultaneous translation into -Russian and English, was part of the Canadian government's technical exchange agreement between Canada and the Soviet Union. It was an overwhelming success.

Two highlights of the meeting were papers prepared and presented by Professor G. G. Vakhitov on the "Review of the USSR Oil Extracting Industries State and Development" and Stanley A. Milner, president, Chieftain Development Company Limited, on "The Canadian Oil- and Gas Industry - An Overview". The Soviet delegation showed interest in a wide variety of petroleum subjects by presenting papers on mining methods involving thermal energy mathematical simulation of oil-field development processes, the application of surface- active substances for reservoirs containing high-viscosity oils, and the present state and prospective trends of the development of gas recovery stimulation methods in the USSR.

In addition to the technical papers presented by the Soviets, during a press conference a general discussion was presented on the USSR petroleum industry production and reserves and statistics. It was of interest to note that statistical data on production and reserves of petroleum and natural gas in the Soviet Union are handled individually by the different ministries within the country. For example, the Soviet Ministry of Oil and the Soviet Ministry of Gas collect their own oil and gas production data. Projections of oil and gas production for the coming years were forecast by 1975 to reach a level of 480 to 500 million tons per year and 300 to 320 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Professor Vakhitov emphasized that from the beginning of their development, 70% of all Russian oil production was placed under enhanced recovery. The Soviet delegation showed particular interest in papers on tar sands, shallow gas reserves, high-viscosity oils, thermal energy, arctic drilling and water flooding.

Further highlights of the Technical Meeting were the luncheon programs featuring well-known guest speakers. The Hon. Jean Chretien, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, presented a keynote address on "Partnership in Northern Development". Charles Lynch, a well-known Canadian journalist, presented a talk entitled "The, Uncertain Canadian Scene", and one of our own Alberta authors, James Grey, presented an address of "Myths of Prairie History".

As a result of the international flavour of this meeting, the Provincial and Federal governments were strongly represented, and special gatherings were held for our Soviet friends, a dinner sponsored by the Provincial government providing an opportunity for the Soviets to meet many prominent oil and gas personnel of Alberta.