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Government of Canada
2005/34
May 25, 2005
Government of Canada Boosts Research into CO2
Storage and Monitoring
REGINA — The Government of Canada is investing
$6.75 million to advance Saskatchewan's oil and natural gas industries
while contributing to solutions to climate change. Ralph Goodale, Minister
of Finance, announced the additional funding into research led by the
Petroleum Technology
Research Centre (PTRC) on behalf of R. John Efford, Minister
of Natural Resources Canada. The funding will support the final phase
of a project, located at EnCana's enhanced oil recovery site in Weyburn,
Saskatchewan, on the sequestration and monitoring of carbon dioxide (CO2).
"This project has shown us the enormous potential of permanently
storing CO2 underground to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
from fossil fuels," said Minister Goodale. "The additional funding
will advance this technology further, will raise the awareness of its
potential and will bring it into more widespread use, in keeping with
the Government of Canada's commitment to addressing climate change."
The first phase of the project, which ended in 2004, was run under the
auspices of the International Energy Agency, and benefited greatly from
EnCana's cooperation and support. It had 15 public- and private-sector
funding partners and attracted significant international attention. The
report from the initial phase, released in September 2004, concluded that
geological conditions in the field are favourable for long-term storage
of CO2 and that injecting CO2 underground also enhanced
the recovery of oil from the partially depleted reservoir.
The final phase will broaden the scope of the project by providing information
to public policy-makers to allow them to define regulatory frameworks.
It will also provide information that will allow government and industry
to assure the public that geological CO2 storage is safe and
secure for the long term.
"The final phase will look at refining these methods and technologies,
with the aim of reducing costs for both storage and enhanced oil-recovery
techniques. At the same time, the final phase will involve expanding the
Weyburn dataset and applying it to the development of a unique, world-class
risk assessment database that can be used to critically assess the feasibility
of geological CO2 storage at any other site in the world,"
says Mike Monea, Executive Director of the PTRC.
"The PTRC
will keep Canada as a world leader in CO2 storage, verification
and monitoring research."
The Regina-based PTRC
was founded in 1998 by Natural Resources Canada, Saskatchewan Industry
and Resources, the Saskatchewan Research Council and the University of
Regina. The non-profit research and development corporation initiates
and supports projects aimed at enhancing the production and recovery of
Canadian petroleum resources by applying innovative technologies and engineering
solutions.
"The PTRC
has proven to be a real success story for Saskatchewan and Canada, and
has demonstrated that creativity and innovative technologies are key to
the future," said Minister Goodale. "The Centre is an example
of how continuing partnerships involving governments, universities, industry
and international organizations will allow us to build a strong and sustainable
province and country."
Funding for this initiative will come from the Government of Canada's
Sustainable Energy Science and Technology Strategy, announced in Budget
2005.
The Government of Canada's approach to climate change is focused on
making the right choices for Canada. This will ensure that the actions
taken contribute to the long-term goals of building a sustainable economy
for the 21st century, a healthier environment and strong communities,
while affirming Canada's place in the world.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Government of Canada is investing to advance Saskatchewan's oil and
natural gas industries while contributing to solutions to climate change.
Today, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale announced an additional $6.75 million
in funding for research on the sequestration and monitoring of carbon
dioxide at a site in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. He made the announcement on
behalf of Natural Resources Canada Minister John Efford.
For more information, media may contact:
Ghyslain Charron
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-4447 |
Tom Ormsby
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 996-2007 |
The following media backgrounder is also available:
- Petroleum Technology Research Centre
|