On November 5, Canadian Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford and Mr. Hirobumi Kawano, the President of the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) signed a memorandum of cooperation regarding the advancement of unconventional oil and gas technologies.  

JOGMEC, which is responsible on behalf of the Government of Japan for securing a stable supply of oil and natural gas for Japan, is an investor in several shale gas developments in Canada and has been conducting research and development on the development of shale gas exploration and development.

According to JOGMEC, the memorandum of cooperation provides for:

  • The characterizations of unconventional (e.g., shale or tight) oil and gas reservoirs,
  • The assessment of unconventional oil and gas resources
  • The evaluation and application of latest technology available that provides solutions associated with exploration and exploitation of unconventional oil and gas resources, such technology includes information technology, nano-technology, and technologies concerning environment, hazards and materials.

Minister Rickford was in Tokyo to speak at an LNG conference, where he was expected to address the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Japan and Canada in the field of energy development, as well as addressing Canada's role as a secure, reliable and responsible supplier of energy.

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