The stage is set for what promises to be a landmark moment in Calgary’s energy calendar. Haitham Al Ghais, the Secretary General of OPEC, will deliver the opening address at next week’s Global Energy Show, bringing international oil politics directly to the doorstep of Canada’s energy heartland.
I’ve covered this event for years, and I can tell you this is significant. Having OPEC’s top official choose Calgary as a platform speaks volumes about our city’s standing in global energy conversations. The timing couldn’t be more critical with crude prices hovering around $80 per barrel and questions swirling about the cartel’s production strategies.
Calgary’s energy sector has been riding a wave of cautious optimism lately. Just last month, I spoke with several executives at the Petroleum Club who expressed renewed confidence in Western Canadian oil prospects, despite ongoing pipeline debates and environmental pressures.
“Having the OPEC Secretary General here signals recognition of Canada’s role as a stable energy producer in increasingly uncertain global markets,” explained Sara McKinnon, energy analyst at Calgary Economic Development. “It’s an opportunity for our industry leaders to engage directly with someone who helps shape global oil policy.”
The Global Energy Show, running June 11-13 at the BMO Centre, is expected to draw over 30,000 attendees from across the energy spectrum. Beyond traditional oil and gas representatives, this year’s event has notably expanded its focus on energy transition technologies – something I’ve watched evolve significantly over the past five editions.
Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean confirmed his attendance and told me last week he plans to emphasize the province’s commitment to “responsible development that balances economic priorities with environmental obligations.” A familiar refrain in Calgary’s energy corridors, but one that takes on new meaning with international attention.
What makes Al Ghais’s appearance particularly noteworthy is that it comes amid OPEC’s recent production cut extensions and growing questions about the cartel’s long-term strategy in the face of energy transition pressures. According to data from the Alberta Energy Regulator, our province’s production reached nearly 3.8 million barrels per day earlier this year – a figure that makes us significant players in global supply conversations.
Local industry veteran James Henderson, who’s attended every Global Energy Show since 2009, told me he’s particularly interested in how Al Ghais addresses the tension between traditional producers and emerging green energy advocates. “There’s no ignoring the climate conversation anymore, even for OPEC. I’m curious if we’ll hear acknowledgment of that reality or a doubling down on petroleum’s future.”
Beyond the headline-grabbing opening, the show features over 250 technical sessions covering everything from conventional drilling innovations to hydrogen development. Having wandered those exhibition halls many times, I can attest to the event’s evolution from primarily focusing on extraction technologies to embracing a broader energy dialogue.
The economic impact for Calgary shouldn’t be underestimated either. Downtown hotels are already reporting near-capacity bookings, and restaurants along Stephen Avenue are staffing up for what’s traditionally one of their busiest weeks of the year. Our city’s hospitality sector still relies heavily on these industry gatherings – something I was reminded of during a conversation with the Hyatt’s event coordinator last week.
For everyday Calgarians, the Global Energy Show remains something of a paradox – simultaneously representing our economic backbone and the industry most frequently cited in climate change discussions. This tension was evident in the small but determined group of environmental protesters who gathered outside last year’s event. Sources within environmental advocacy groups confirm similar demonstrations are planned this year.
What ultimately makes this particular show worth watching is the potential for substantive dialogue about energy futures. Calgary sits at a unique crossroads – deeply invested in traditional energy while increasingly pivoting toward innovation. Having OPEC’s leadership here creates space for necessary conversations about how that transition might unfold globally.
The energy landscape has shifted dramatically since I first covered this show a decade ago. Back then, discussions centered almost exclusively around production growth and market access. Today, even the most traditional industry players acknowledge some version of energy transition is underway.
Whether Al Ghais’s message will embrace that reality or resist it remains to be seen. Either way, for a few days next week, Calgary will once again find itself at the center of global energy conversations – a position that, despite all our economic diversification efforts, still fundamentally defines this city’s identity and prospects.
