With Shell receiving tentative approval to drill exploratory wells in Arctic waters for the summer of 2012 and the recent release of the NEB’s Arctic Offshore Drilling Review results, this is a pivotal time for Arctic offshore oil and gas progress. Equip yourself with the most up-to-date information on Arctic offshore exploration, policies, and technologies.

Here is a highlight of the sessions on this year’s Arctic Oil & Gas Symposium that focus on providing you with essential offshore information and updates:

Results from NEB’s Offshore Drilling Review: What Does This Mean for the Future of Off shore Drilling in Canada?

• Understanding the responsibilities of the NEB in Canada’s Arctic to put the Arctic Review into context
• Critical highlights from the Inuvik Roundtable meetings and discussions
• Discussion on results from the Arctic Offshore Drilling Review

Keynote Session
Examining the Role of the Arctic Council and Efforts in the area of Oil Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response

• Canada's  Arctic Foreign Policy and linkages to Arctic oil and gas development
• The role of the Arctic Council and Canada's Chair of the Council in 2013-2015
• The Nuuk Ministerial Declaration and mandate on further work on off-shore oil spill prevention, preparedness and response
• Plans and the deliverables for:

• a) the Arctic Council Task Force on Oil Spill  Preparedness and Response;
• b) the Prevention Project  of the Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) Working Group

Exploring Progress on Arctic Offshore Oil Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response

• Exploring solutions for minimizing the impact of marine oil spills
• Addressing the benefits in training local peoples as likely first-responders to emergencies
• Addressing the necessity to plan and establish relationships with communities and government agencies

Alaska Oil & Gas Opportunities, Challenges and Progress

• Alaska Gas Pipeline status and future plans
• What other natural gas transportation projects are currently proposed and which projects seem likely to proceed?
• What does the decreasing flow through the Trans Alaska Pipeline System mean for the rest of the world?
• North Slope update: what is the level and extent of current activity?
  • - What are the opportunities?
• Where are the emerging areas of interest or renewed interest in Alaska?
  • What type of resource potential do these areas hold?
• What are Shell’s plans in Alaska’s offshore?
  • Which parts of their plans have been approved?
• Examining Alaska’s biggest impediment to new oil and gas development