History

The Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas (CSUG) was formed in April 2002 as a recognized formal, not-for-profit society, registered in the Province of Alberta. The Society was created to support the exploration and development of Canadian unconventional gas resources, and to focus energy and resources on all forms of unconventional gas, including:

Natural Gas from Coal
Tight Sands Link to: What is natural gas from tight sands?
Shale Gas Link to: What is shale gas?
Gas Hydrates Link to: What are gas hydrates?

The precursor to CSUG was the Canadian Coalbed Methane Forum, an association of corporations and individuals interested in coalbed methane (CBM) resources in Canada. The forum (active for over 10 years) created the Annual Coalbed Methane Conference as a tool to collaborate with peers to discuss technology and research development of the resource. By the year 2000, the oil and gas industry was showing increased activity and interest in CBM resource development and its technologies. It became apparent that the Forum needed to become a more formal entity, to effectively provide more broad-based information sharing regarding technology development.

Shortly after becoming a registered society, the need to provide communication and education to the public and other stakeholders became apparent. In response to this need, CSUG developed a communications plan, with the following primary objectives:

• Educate the media about unconventional gas sources by providing them with the materials necessary to more accurately report the facts and issues surrounding the resource. This includes countering erroneous information reported by media via a zero-tolerance program.
• Increase the dialogue between the unconventional gas industry and the federal and provincial governments.
• Increase the amount, and improve the quality and consistency of communications with stakeholder groups.
• Improve and streamline communication to/from CSUG member companies.
• Design and introduce new administrative communication elements to reduce response time and increase effectiveness of all communication activities.

Governance Structure

The Society is comprised of a volunteer working Board of Directors with support from: a Society President, a Vice President, a Manager of Operations and Public Affairs, two Committee and Initiative Assistants, a Communications Assistant, and an Administrative Analyst. The Board is also supported by the work of several committees and sub-committees.

Mission

To facilitate the factual and collaborative exchange of unconventional gas knowledge and challenges among government, regulators, industry and public stakeholders for the exploration and production of the resource in an environmentally sensitive and economical manner.

Values

These core values and behaviours will contribute to CSUG’s success:

• Responsibility – from our Society and members in their operations and the impacts that these operations have on all stakeholders.
• Integrity – in our duties and operations displayed by espousing and actualizing best practices.
• Collaborate – with all stakeholders to ensure that impacts and priorities of all groups are understood and taken into consideration.
• Inclusive – in our outlook and the gathering of data and concerns that will impact the industry.
• Transparent – to all stakeholders in our reporting and operations.

Mandate

To transfer knowledge by utilizing the following tools:

• Coordinating technical luncheons, forums, workshops, field trips, and conferences.
• Providing a conduit to increase dialogue between the unconventional gas industry and the federal and provincial governments.
• Developing materials for the public and the industry that provide overview information on processes and operations.
• Supplying and/or presenting information to the general public and landowners.
• Responding to governmental regulatory challenges by providing input, data, and area expertise through our membership.
• Providing the media with a credible source of information on the history, operations, and best practices of the industry.