2017 CGA Operations, Engineering and Integrity Conference

Sunday, April 2nd, 2017-Tuesday, April 4th, 2017
The Westin Nova Scotian

 
Halifax, NS

 
John Adams
John Q Adams was appointed as CGA’s Managing Director, Natural Gas Innovation Fund effective September 01, 2016 with over 25 years in cleantech/clean energy experience with industry. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Mr. Adams graduated from University of Toronto in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in science, specializing in environmental science. Mr. Adams joined Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) in 2011 and occupied a range of increasingly senior positions over a 5 year span. He joined as Director, Applications/Funding Advisory in 2011, and then went to Director, Stakeholder relations in 2012, Vice President Industry in 2013, and Executive Director in 2016. While at SDTC, John raised almost $40M in partnership agreements with industry and federal/provincial government agencies, led a series of national funding competitions, created a national Virtual Incubator, and launched a pilot for a more simplified, applicant process. Prior to SDTC, John was with Mitsui & Co. (Canada) Ltd. holding positions in infrastructure business and international trade.
 
Bryden Berkvens
Bryden is currently the Manager of Corrosion Engineering at Union Gas. Since joining Union Gas in 2005, Bryden has held various roles throughout the Operations and Engineering groups. Currently, Bryden focuses on leading the corrosion team in design and maintenance of the company’s steel piping systems as well as being instrumental in the development and execution of the company’s integrity programs. Bryden holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Dalhousie University, and his interests outside of work include travelling, snowboarding, assisting with the local minor football program, and being and amateur rock musician.
 
Don Beverly
Don Beverly is senior advisor in business development and renewable energy for Gaz Métro with special interests in biomethane, forest biomass, hydrogen and natural gas quality. Before Gaz Métro, he worked in industrial equipment manufacturing, research and development in thermal processes, and transformation of primary materials. He has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from McGill University and a diploma in electrical engineering technology from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
 
Nicholas Biederman
Nicholas Biederman has over 50 years’ experience in the natural gas industry. He has worked for the Brooklyn Union Gas Company, the Institute of Gas Technology and been an independent consultant since 1978. Mr. Biederman’s experience has focused on distribution, transmission and storage operations evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of new products and technologies. During the 1970's Mr. Biederman was a part of the IGT “Hydrogen Economy” research team. His international work through the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and independent consulting activities in natural gas project economics and markets has provided him a network in the natural gas research industry worldwide. This expertise is now being employed in the GOIA publications Technology Market Watch and Gas Distribution Innovation Insights to monitor and report on new developments in distribution operations for a subscriber base of gas distribution companies worldwide. As part of the GOIA team, Mr. Biederman also manages and monitors natural gas research and development activities in North America, Europe and Asia. Mr. Biederman is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology with a minor in Gas Engineering from the Institute of Gas Technology. He is a member of the AGA DC&M Committee; the International Gas Union Distribution Committee and Study Group Leader evaluating the role of the LDC in market creation and facilitation; and is a Distinguished Associate with FGE—Facts Global Energy.
 
David Blanco
David Blanco holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Texas and a Master’s of International Relations from Texas A&M university.
He is currently a SCADA Security Adviser for Automation Solutions, where he has worked on SCADA systems since 2011. During this time, Mr. Blanco worked on the development and implementation of SCADA technologies. In his current capacity, he guides the development of cybersecurity technologies for his company and is part of the wider industry discussion through conferences. Mr. Blanco is also a member of the FBI’s InfraGard and the Gulf Coast Gas Management Society.
 
Nathan Carter
Nathan Carter is the Vice President, Edmonton Region Operations for ATCO’s Gas Distribution division. As a member of the senior leadership team, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of distribution pipeline operations, maintenance and construction in Edmonton and surrounding area. He has more than 15 years of experience in the natural gas industry. Mr. Carter holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta. He is a member of APEGA and currently serves with the Canadian Gas Association as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Carter also serves on the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Energy and Environment Policy Committee.
 
Denis Courchesne
Mr. Courchesne holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems Management at HEC Montréal. He begins his career at Bell in 1976, where he held various management positions in areas from operations support, IT, finances to partnership contract negotiator. In 2011, Mr. Courchesne retired from Bell following 35 years of service and became a work reorganization consultant. Simultaneously, from 1994, he represented Bell as vice-president on Info-Excavation's Board of Directors and was elected Board president in 2007, a position which he kept until he left in 2011. In 2012, he became president and CEO at Info-Excavation where he worked on implementing several new technologies and processes.
 
Roger Dall'Antonia
Roger Dall’Antonia has over 20 years’ experience in the energy and utility industry. Since joining the FortisBC family in 2004, Roger Dall’Antonia has held various roles and responsibilities ranging from finance to strategic planning, regulatory affairs and customer service. Most recently, Roger’s responsibilities have expanded to oversee the information systems portfolio. In his current role as Executive Vice President, Customer Service and Technology, Roger is responsible for customer service, energy solutions, conservation programs, metering as well as information systems and technology.
 
Dr. Pierre Desrochers
In the last two centuries every indicator of human well-being (e.g. life expectancy, income per capita, hunger and infant mortality) has improved dramatically as a direct result of greater use of carbon fuels. By replacing resources harvested on the surface of our planet by coal, petroleum and natural gas, humans have also dramatically improved air and water quality and expanded the forest cover in developed economies. Dr. Desrochers will explain why, in the absence of truly superior alternatives, curtailing carbon fuel use will harm both human society and the environment. Far from being an addiction, carbon fuels have delivered benefits that greatly exceed any potential risk associated with their use.
 
Timothy Egan
Timothy M. Egan became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Gas Association in September 2010. Prior to his appointment he was President of High Park Group (HPG), a public affairs consulting firm. Mr. Egan serves as Canada’s representative at the International Gas Union, sitting on the Executive Committee and as the Regional Coordinator for North America. Mr. Egan is publisher of the Energy Regulation Quarterly, and editor of the magazine Energy. He has an undergraduate degree in history from the University of Ottawa, and common and civil law degrees from McGill University. He was called to the Ontario bar in 1995. He is married to Patricia (nee Armstrong) and they have five daughters.
 
Sean Fitzpatrick
Sean Fitzpatrick, a Principal of RKO Content Management Solutions, specializes in Enterprise Content Management (ECM) and Records Management (RM) strategic consulting. Sean has been involved with ECM and RM projects since 1997. With 20 years of experience in this field, he has witnessed many successful ECM/Records Management related projects and now applies that experience to help clients assess and clarify their needs, build modern implementation strategies and conduct Master Planning. Sean’s approach to ECM and RM is pragmatic, iterative and always ensuring there is something in it for end-users. His primary objective is to have projects that result in elated end users.
 
Michael Flaherty
Michael Flaherty’s current role is Manager, Resource Development and Technical Assessment with FortisBC. He has been with FortisBC for seven years following a career working in the Construction and Pulp and Paper industries and a stint in Product Development in the fuel cell sector. He has an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University Degree and a Master’s Degree from the University of Victoria focused on Energy Systems. In his time at FortisBC, he was worked in the thermal energy services business and Resource Development, exploring and evaluating expansions to FortisBC’s natural gas pipeline system to meet load growth. Over the past three years he was been involved in the Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline (EGP) project, with a particular focus on the Environmental Assessment.
 
John Hawkins
John Hawkins is Interim President at Heritage Gas, the province’s natural gas distribution utility. Mr. Hawkins has a varied background in energy and manufacturing industries. In past roles, he was responsible for power and gas trading, and scheduling and dispatch of the generating fleet at Nova Scotia Power. He also has managed power plants, hydro- electric systems, and electrical transmission and distribution business units, and held senior roles in the pulp and paper industry.
 
Nathan Lesage
When he’s not rescuing pygmy hippopotami on the Ivory Coast Nathan Lesage spends his time as the Director, Distribution Operations for “not ATCO” (AltaGas Utilities Inc.). An avid Jai alai player, Nathan is constantly seeking adrenaline soaked activities to fill his day. Between driving his 4 daughters to dance class, basketball practice, gymnastics and drama rehearsals he enjoys sky diving, arm wrestling sharks, spelunking and origami. An example of the fervent rush that is his life was bringing AMR to AUI. Not only did his company implement the remote meter data collection system but upped the rebel anti by daring to collect these reads by air. After unsuccessful attempts with hot air balloons AUI decided to go the more traditional route of using an airplane which he will discuss with you today.
 
Rob Love
Rob Love is a Design Engineer and Project Manager at ATCO, where he has worked as a member of the Urban Pipeline Replacement program since late 2015. Within this group, Rob has successfully managed multiple complex urban HDDs. Previously, Rob spent two years as an Engineer-in-Training for the Plastic Mains Replacement program at ATCO. Prior to this, he worked as a surveyor on a variety of projects throughout Alberta, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Rob received his BSc in Geomatics Engineering from the University of New Brunswick in 2009, and his MEng in Engineering Management from the University of Ottawa in 2013. Rob is a Professional Engineer registered with APEGA, and holds a Certified Associated in Project Management designation through PMI.
 
Chris MacAulay
Chris MacAulay is the Director of Operations & CNG for Heritage Gas, the natural gas distributor in the province of Nova Scotia. After graduating from the Dalhousie University school of Engineering, he held a number of positions in pipeline Engineering and Operations in Ontario and Alberta before returning home to Halifax in 2007. Since then, Chris has been responsible for the safe and reliable operation of Heritage Gas’ natural gas distribution system, and since 2014 has had operational oversight of Heritage Gas’ Compressed Natural Gas trucking business. Chris is a member of Engineers Nova Scotia, and has been involved with the CGA through the Measurement Committee, Damage Prevention Committee, and the Continuous Improvement Task Force.
 
Tran Mah-Paulson
Tran Mah-Paulson, P.Eng., PMP (BSc. Civil Engineering) is a Senior Welding / Project Engineer with T.D. Williamson, Inc (TDW). With TDW, Tran has progressed into multiple engineering roles with increasing responsibility which has led him to global development of the welding services program to countries including, Belgium, Canada, India, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, United States as well as the project management and engineering program in Canada. He has worked extensively with the authoring of quality management systems, development of welding procedures, qualification of welders and administering inspection programs for the pipeline, oil and gas industry. His other work includes creation of hot tapping procedures, review of fitting designs and project management of pipeline and facility maintenance projects. Tran also volunteers as the President and CEO of the Young Pipeliners Association of Canada (YPAC), an organization with 1200+ members. With YPAC, Tran leads 20+ executives with a vision to ensure the sustainable future of the Canadian pipeline industry through enabling and enhancing the career development of young pipeliners. Tran is a Certified Level II Welding Inspector with Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) and a Welding Examiner with ABSA. Tran is an extended executive member of the ASME Pipeline Systems Division as well as a board member of Young Pipeliners International (YPI). He also is involved with CEPA Foundation initiatives. In the past, he was the YPAC Edmonton Chair and an executive with the American Welding Society (AWS) Alberta Section.
 
Kevin Morgenstern
Kevin Morgenstern is a Pipeline Integrity Engineer at Manitoba Hydro. His work focuses on Pipeline System Integrity Management, in particular in-line inspection, external corrosion direct assessment and below grade leak analysis. Kevin is using various activities and expertise in Manitoba Hydro to enhance the Integrity Management Program by studying new hazards such a coating shielding corrosion and assessing the health of all pipeline system assets. Over the past 4 year, Kevin has extensively applied the use of an innovative software tool to geospatially analyze and marry together vast amounts of data for the Integrity Management Program. Kevin will present how such software tools can help Integrity Management Programs mature faster and more efficiently.
 
David Petursson
David Petursson is the Manager of Distribution Standards and the Chief Gas Engineer for Manitoba Hydro. He is responsible for gas and electric standards, corrosion control, pipeline integrity and he has taken the lead on development of Manitoba Hydro’s Safety and Loss Management system. He has 24 years of experience in gas distribution with 17 years prior experience in the upstream oil & gas sector. Dave has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, is a member of APEGM and has served on several Canadian Gas Association committees. Dave has 15 years of experience on CSA C662 committee and is currently a voting member of the Z662 Technical committee. Apart from work, Dave is an active certified International Chief Umpire for Curling.
 
Todd Piercey
Todd joined Union Gas in 2006 and over the last 10 years has gained experience through a number of roles within the Union Gas Engineering department. Todd spent his first 6 years in the Distribution Planning group were he obtained his P.Eng, and was given the opportunity to become heavily involved in Union’s New Grad recruitment strategy and lead the development of an EIT Rotation Program. Todd has also spent time managing the Engineering Drafting group as well as a concurrent 6 months managing the Distribution Planning group. As the Manager of Stations, Electrical and Controls Engineering, Todd is accountable to manage the station, electrical and controls design and operational standards throughout Union Gas by ensuring proper policies, processes, procedures and systems are in place to support client requirements, validate the integrity of the system, and meet regulatory and legislative compliance. Todd holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Dalhousie University.
 
Gerry Pumphrey
Gerry Pumphrey has been with Enbridge Gas Distribution for over 25 yrs. He has held several positions within the organization over his career such as: Field Manager AR&I, Field Manager Engineering, Operations Supervisor Tie-Ins (tapping Crew), Gas Technician Tie-Ins and Gas Technician Operations. This will be his 3rd time presenting at the CGA.
 
Dave Risk
Dave Risk is an Associate Professor of Earth Sciences at St. Francis Xavier University. His research interests lie in reducing greenhouse and toxic gas emissions through better measurement. Over 25 students and professional researchers work in his "FluxLab" research group, in the areas of sensor development, gas sensor applications science, and novel use of gas chemical tracers and isotopes. The group is working with partners on projects across Canada and the US to detect and map fugitive emissions (and flaring) in the energy sector, and to demonstrate containment in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects. They have contributed surface monitoring expertise to every CCS injection project in Canada, and have measured fugitive and vented emissions in oil and gas fields across the continent. In addition to this industrial work, Dave's group builds customized remote monitoring infrastructure for international projects measuring soil gas releases from thawing permafrost, in the Arctic and Antarctic.
 
Jason Samara
Jason Samara joined Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. in 2006 working in the Engineering and Quality Acceptance Departments. For the last 6 years Jason has been in the Leak Survey Department as the Leak Survey Program Manager. His accountabilities include the creation of all leak survey programs, forecasting and managing the completion of those programs. Annually the program size is approximately 400K gas services and 9000Km of gas mains. Beyond his management duties Jason has been extensively involved multiple leak survey projects including; the evaluation of pre-commercial and commercial leak detection systems and equipment, and the design and development of Enbridge’s GIS driven leak survey application, the Leak Survey Management System. Jason’s engineering background has also allow him to design a leak forecasting methodology that has been used for the past 4 years as major work load planning tool in the performance of the annual leak survey programs and is currently involved in the design and development of a Corrosion Prevention application that will merry up to the existing Leak Survey Management System. Jason holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Ryerson University.
 
Stephen Sayle
Stephen Sayle has a B.Sc., and Masters degree from Dalhousie University, and is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) specializing in developing world class Health, Safety & Environment Management Systems. As the CEO of SayleGroup Inc., Stephen has started a “Safety Culture movement” by launching online training and apps. Drawing on his background of HSE management around the globe in the energy sector, Stephen brings a depth of experience and passion to this Safety Culture movement. He also serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the Maritimes Energy Association.
 
Angela Scott
Angela Scott is Manager of Pipeline Engineering at Union Gas where she has worked for 15 years including 11 years in the Station Engineering department. Angela is responsible for all Union Gas’ pipeline systems including pipeline design, Class Location assessments and remediations, ILI inspection design and support including defect assessments, owner of Union’s Construction and Maintenance procedures and Standard Operating Practices, MOP verifications, etc. Currently she is focused on leading a Material Traceability initiative and developing a 10 year Asset Management Plan. Angela is also the Union Gas representative on NYSEARCH, a North American R&D group. Outside of work, in addition to actively volunteering with PEO and her local Chapter, she enjoys travelling, spending time with her husband and two daughters, and staying active by jogging or team sports.
 
Todd Scott
Through his various supervisory and managerial roles with Enbridge Gas New Brunswick over the past 16 years, Todd Scott, has worked diligently with the contracting community, municipal partners and regulatory agencies in New Brunswick promoting “Click/Call Before You Dig” and safe digging practices. In 2012, Mr. Scott’s focus on damage prevention heightened when the Atlantic Canada Common Ground Alliance (ATLCGA) was first conceived and he was named the Chair of the steering committee. Since that time, Mr. Scott also acted as the ATLCGA’s representative on the Canadian Common Alliance (CCGA) Board. Mostly recently, Mr. Scott was named as the first official Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the ATLCGA upon the adoption of their initial governance model in November 2016. He also proudly serves as the Vice Chair of CCGA Broad. Mr. Scott holds a Bachelor in Science Degree from the University of New Brunswick and an Environmental Technology Diploma from the New Brunswick Community College. Todd is a proud New Brunswicker who lives in Riverview, NB with his wife Alison and two teenage daughters Katelyn and Carmen.
 
Mike Shaw
Mike Shaw is the Vice President, Calgary Region Operations for ATCO’s Gas Distribution division. He first joined ATCO in 2002, and has held a wide variety of increasingly responsible positions during his career. As a member of ATCO’s senior leadership team, he has overall responsibility for all aspects of ATCO’s gas distribution system in Calgary and surrounding area. Mr. Shaw holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary and has more than 14 years’ experience in the natural gas industry. He is a member of APEGA and currently serves with the Canadian Gas Association as a member of the Standing Committee on Operations, as well as the G5 Committee. During the Fort McMurray wildfire last year, Mr. Shaw, and all of ATCO was thrust into crisis response mode. His role during the crisis was overall coordination of the resource and recovery effort for ATCO's natural gas infrastructure in the region.
 
Jeffrey Simpson
Jeffrey Simpson, who recently retired after 32 years as The Globe and Mail's national affairs columnist, is the most-decorated journalist in Canada. As officer of the order of Canada and recipient of seven honorary degrees, he won the Donner Prize for the best book on Canadian public policy, the Governor-General's award for books, the National Magazine Award, the National Newspaper Award (twice). He wrote seven books, including one on Canada's climate change policy, delivered more than 600 presentations during his career, lectured are two dozen Canadian universities, taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa and Queen's University, and remains a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa's School of Policy and International Affairs. He has written extensively about a very wide range of domestic and international issues, including energy and climate change.
 
Jim Tweedie
James Tweedie is the Vice President, Operations and Markets at the Canadian Gas Association. In his role at CGA, Jim is accountable for addressing all operational and market development affairs associated with the safe, efficient, innovative, environmentally responsible, reliable & resilient delivery of natural gas to Canadians by CGA member organizations. He has been involved in files such as energy security, damage prevention, innovation, health and safety, RNG, asset management, system renewal, RNG, mutual assistance and integrity just to name a few. Before joining the CGA, Jim had an extensive 35 year career with Enbridge Gas Distribution. From 2004 to 2008, Jim was Manager of Operations, Eastern Region for Enbridge, where he garnered much of his knowledge and expertise in the natural gas distribution industry. Prior to this, Mr. Tweedie was a Manager of Construction and also acted as Regional Manager of Enbridge’s Eastern Region. Additionally, he has worked on a number of international gas distribution feasibility studies and construction evaluation projects in Turkey, Mexico, and Malaysia. Jim is currently the co-chair of NRCan’s Critical Infrastructure; Energy and Utility Sectors Network and a past Chair of the Board & current Executive Committee member of the Canadian Common Ground Alliance.
 
Sarah Van Der Paelt
Sarah Van Der Paelt is the director of Distribution Business Development and Strategic Accounts for Union Gas Limited, Enbridge’s Ontario-based natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company. Sarah and her team of sales and business development managers are responsible for growing natural gas throughput in the Ontario industrial and power markets. Most recently her efforts have been focused on understanding the opportunities and challenges presented in a cap-and-trade environment, including developing the renewable natural gas (RNG) business and introducing compressed natural gas into the transportation sector. Sarah has been working for Union Gas for 25 years in a variety of roles including manager of Product Development, Director of Accounting Services, Director of Energy Conservation and Director of Commercial/Industrial Sales and Marketing. She has a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA from the University of Windsor, and holds the CPA designation.
 
Richard Waller
Richard Waller has 21 years of experience in the energy industry, primarily in the area of product supply and services. Richard has been President of Foothills Industrial Products since 2007, a leading provider of components and systems to the natural gas industry for measurement and control purposes to midstream, transmission and gas distribution companies. He is currently involved with the Canadian Gas Association as a member of the Standing Committee on Operations, and a member of the Operations Suppliers Executive Committee. Richard has also been active as a member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), and will assume the role of President of the Calgary Chapter for the 2013/14 year. Currently he is also a member of the West Island College Business Institute Advisory Panel. In the community, Richard, has been involved in a number of not-for-profit and fundraising initiatives. Richard was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Calgary Zoological Society from 2003-10 during which time he acted as Chair of the Calgary Zoo Foundation (2008/09) and co-chair of Tusks & Tails Gala (2009/10). Richard was also co-chair of the Foothills Country Auction (2004 & 2005) in support of the Foothills Hospital. Recently (2011-16) Richard completed a term as a member of the board of directors of the Banff Alpine Racers ski club. Richard is married (Jane McCaig) with two children Emma and Anthony.