As the world's third-largest producer of natural gas, the fifth-biggest energy producer and seventh on the list for crude oil, Canada now sees a need for "one voice" to represent and coordinate diverse interests - both nationally and globally - in a rapidly changing political and economic environment.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) represents 130 companies - 90 percent of the upstream industry - actively involved in exploration, developing and production of natural gas and crude oil, as well as natural gas liquids, elemental sulfur and oil sands.

Among the most pressing concerns that CAPP has addressed is the need to drive the industry ahead on what has been called a "3E" approach - environment, energy and economy.