Nobel winner Wilson steps down as CEO of PTRC

Malcolm Wilson, who was one of the scientists awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for their work on climate change, has retired as CEO of the Petroleum Technology Research Centre effective June 14, according to a news release from the Reginabased research institute.

Neil Wildgust, chief projects officer at the PTRC, will be acting CEO until a permanent replacement is found.

Wilson assumed the CEO position in January 2011. Under his tenure, the PTRC saw the completion of the International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas Weyburn-Midale CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project. He also helped rejuvenate the PTRC’s enhanced oil recovery research through increased industry engagement and participation, the release said.

“His decision to leave the PTRC means he will be able to spend more time with family and friends, and maintain a less demanding work schedule as a consultant, both in Canada and internationally,” the release said.

Wilson was formerly the director of the Office of Energy and Environment at the University of Regina. He has extensive experience in CO2 storage development, and was involved in the initiation of the IEAGHG Weyburn-Midale CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project.

Wilson was a member of working group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. He was also lead author on the IPCC special report on carbon dioxide capture and storage.

Prior to being appointed CEO of the PTRC, Wilson served as CEO of the International Performance Assessment Centre for the Geologic Storage of CO2, commonly known as the IPAC-CO2.

IPAC became the centre of a media firestorm earlier this year after it was alleged the organization gave a solesource, untendered $2.9 million IT contract to a company, Climate Ventures Inc., which had two members of IPAC’s executive team — including Wilson — on its board of directors.

However, Wilson said he resigned immediately from CVI’s board in 2008 when he saw the potential conflict, but admitted the paperwork wasn’t filed for nine months. An external investigation commissioned by IPAC in 2011 concluded that the IT contract did not adhere to the University of Regina’s contract management policies and that a conflict of interest likely occurred, but that Wilson did not appear to benefit from the agreement financially.

The university asked for the provincial auditor to review IPAC-CO2 because questions were raised about the IT deal with CVI. The auditor’s report released Wednesday said the university needs to “better manage its financial, reputational and ownership risks as it advances and commercializes research.’’

University of Regina president Vianne Timmons said the university “absolutely” accepts the auditor’s recommendations.

The province did not renew funding to IPAC earlier this year and it wound up operations March 31.