April 2018
What do you see as the key challenges facing the industry in the region over the coming 5-10 years and how is Questerre Energy Corporation positioned to overcome these challenges?
The industry is facing tremendous amounts of opposition from environmental groups and their backers who see an advantage for themselves in a new fuels future. We have lost tremendous ground to them.
We have a project in Jordan which is mostly immune from the opponents. In addition, through our Quebec experience, we have become industry leaders in political advocacy and building coalitions to move our projects forward.
Where do you see the opportunities for growth within the industry in the next 5 years, how are you positioned to support this?
I believe the industry has to grow and adjust with newer technology, the more we do that the better we will become. We at Questerre have been working on a clean gas project in Quebec and see tremendous opportunity there.
What question or industry- related issue are you looking forward to hearing about at Canada Assembly 2018?
I hope we can focus on what industry needs to start doing, keep doing and stop doing to gain back the ground lost to hydrocarbons opponents. I have been very vocal about how great Canadian Oil & Gas is and have even started up a not for profit called the Modern Miracle Network. This network’s key message is that the planet needs more Canada, not less. We are celebrating the modern miracle of hydrocarbons.
What game-changing discovery/ project/ technology is currently making waves?
Questerre has two new technologies/innovations. One is a new retorting technology to process diesel and jet fuel from surface mineable oil shales. Second is a Clean Gas™ approach to create a zero emissions, zero drinking water and zero toxic chemicals natural gas field.
Can you tell us a little bit of Questerre Energy Corporation’s history in Canada?
Questerre Energy was founded to explore for giant gas fields in North America by looking for new kinds of rocks. We made one of Canada’s first mega natural gas discoveries in the Utica of Quebec in 2008.
We have recently been looking worldwide for a giant oil field and have a discovery of 8 billion barrels in Jordan.
We are a publicly traded company with a secondary listing in Oslo who believe in the future of oil and gas in Canada and continued growth for our industry. We are always looking for more ways to be innovative in what we do and some of our newest projects you will see speak to that.
How can energy companies successfully develop people and projects in tough economic times?
One of the great things about being Canadian is that we are a resilient, hard-working people. In the difficult times, it is important to adjust to the climate of the environment you are working it, whatever that may look like. Being open to change and adapting to a new “normal” is key.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Try to keep it secret and likely give most of it to not for profit.
If you could have a luncheon with any three people (real or fictitious/ from any time period, dead or alive), which three people would you choose and why?
Jesus to hear first hand what his life was like
The Queen of England to hear her account of the events that have shaped our society in the last century
Cicero because I think he had the best view of the Roman Empire at its apex
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
Safari in Africa with my wife
Water and snow skiing with my grandchildren
Seeing Canada take its place in the world as a senior country asserting its strategic interests.
If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony for a grand entrance that lasts.
About Michael Binnion
Mr Binnion has been actively involved in the financing and executive management of numerous private and public companies over the last 16 years through his investment company, Rupert’s Crossing Inc.
Mr Binnion served as the President and a Director of Terrenex and its predecessor from October 1995 to April 2008. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Flowing Energy Corp., a junior exploration and production company, from June 1996 to December 2001 and served as Chairman of the Board from 2002 to 2004. He served as the President and Chief Financial Officer of CanArgo Energy Corporation, an independent exploration & production company from 1997 to 2000. From 1992 to 1997 he was Executive Director of Crossfield House Inc., a private merchant banking firm. From 1992 to 1998 he was a minority shareholder and manager of a private investment company that held interest in commercial real estate and golf courses. Prior thereto he was Manager in the High Tech group at Clarkson Gordon, a division of Ernst & Young, specializing in tax-assistant financings. Mr. Binnion served as Chairman of the Board of Sylogist Ltd. from March 2000 to February 2002. He has been Director of Sylogist Ltd. since March 1997. He served as a Director of Magnus Energy, Inc. from March 4, 2005 to November 2007.
Mr. Binnion serves as an Independent Director of High Arctic Energy Services Trust. Mr. Binnion is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Alberta.
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