Nicholas Olds

Executive Vice President of Lower 48 & Global HSE, Conocophillips

Search every verified Nicholas Olds interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Nicholas Olds, then senior vice president of ConocoPhillips Canada’s oil sands business unit, discussed the role of oil sands in meeting projected global energy demand growth from about 86 million barrels per day to 100 million by 2030. He described oil sands as a vast Alberta resource needed to replace declining conventional supplies, while acknowledging alternatives and renewables would also be part of the mix. Olds emphasized technology as key to sustainable development, citing a planned $300 million investment over five years in heavy oil technology, with most focused on oil sands. He also outlined efforts to address stakeholder concerns, including community consultation with Aboriginal groups, local procurement, and collaboration through the Oil Sands Leadership Initiative to improve environmental performance. He noted challenges around performance and communication, advocating for greater transparency and dialogue to counter what he called misinformation about oil sands development.