Peter Tertzakian

Economist, author, podcaster and visionary in energy.

A respected industry leader with more than 35 years of experience in the business of energy, Peter is the founder of the ARC Energy Research Institute. He is frequently called upon to share his knowledge of strategic issues with investors, corporate leaders, policymakers, and educators around the world. Most recently, Peter founded Studio.Energy, an initiative dedicated to mentoring the next generation of leaders to address the world’s complex energy challenges.

Peter is also a storyteller at heart, using a creative approach to distill, clarify, and communicate complicated issues regarding energy, economics and the environment. His presentations inspire, guide, and spark discussion on some of today’s most important topics. He’s written two international bestsellers — A Thousand Barrels a Second and The End of Energy Obesity. His most recent book, The Investor Visit and Other Stories, is a collection of creative non-fiction exploring how our energy past can help us navigate our energy future which sparked a CBC podcast series called Disruption.

In 2023, Peter launched Those Who Have Seen the Invention Pronounce It Wonderful, a visual art exhibition using his personal collection of vintage lightbulbs as inspiration for a pop-art exploration of innovation and disruption in lighting. The exhibition has been shown in two galleries, including Heritage Park, a living history museum in Calgary.

Peter served as Chair of the Board of Contemporary Calgary, a public contemporary art gallery, from 2019 to 2023. He currently sits on the board of the National Gallery Foundation in Ottawa.

He has an undergraduate degree in Geophysics from the University of Alberta, a graduate degree in Econometrics from the University of Southampton, UK and a Master of Science in Management of Technology from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.

Balancing Analytics and Art

Those Who Have Seen the Invention Pronounce it Wonderful: A Modernist View of the History of Light

Peter’s creative journey began in high school with courses in photography and film studies. Balancing his focus on numbers, he seamlessly integrates photography and creative writing to clarify complex topics, highlighting his commitment to both the analytical and artistic realms. A lifelong student of art history, Peter has always been drawn to periods of creative disruption, a passion that has served him well and forms the foundation for Studio.Energy.

Explore Peter's Art

Thought Leadership 

Peter’s wealth of experience and success in the energy sector laid the groundwork for him to become a bestselling author of two internationally acclaimed books. Demonstrating his ability to offer valuable insights into the dynamic world of energy transitions, he has contributed as a member of the Royalty Review Panel for Alberta, provided leadership in fiscal policy redesign, and actively participated in influential advisory boards. This expertise and impact in the industry have informed his writing of these books.

The End of Energy Obesity

Breaking Today’s Energy Addiction for a Prosperous and Secure Tomorrow. Tertzakian’s influence extends globally, with his insights sought after at leading universities and conferences around the world. His global perspective reflects his commitment to addressing the challenges and opportunities that transcend regional boundaries.

A Thousand Barrels a Second

This compelling 2006 bestseller not only narrates the global investment in oil and its future but also addresses how collaboration can tackle upcoming energy challenges worldwide. The book anticipates structural shifts in energy extraction and consumption in the coming years amid rising oil prices and market volatility.

The Investor Visit and Other Stories

Full of insight, humour and thought-provoking wisdom, The Investor Visit and Other Stories is an essential read for energy leaders and anybody interested in what powers our world. Because the business of energy is everyone’s business.

EnergyPhile

Part museum, part library, and part business school.

EnergyPhile is a deep, thoughtful look at energy throughout human history. Through this research-based exploration, we learn from the past, understand the present and use the resulting knowledge to transform our energy future.

Explore EnergyPhile