Publications, in the form of highly technical maps and reports, electronic data files, and pamphlets and brochures for non-specialists and the general public are the primary products of the research conducted at GSC Calgary. In addition to these, numerous papers on the results of our work are published annually in national and international scientific journals.

Clients

The principal users of GSC Calgary's products and expertise are:

• the 700-plus energy companies operating in Canada, the work of which creates some $30 billion of new wealth each year
• NRCan's Energy Sector and the National Energy Board
• other Federal departments concerned with energy resources and the environment
• provincial and territorial geoscience agencies and resource regulatory boards
• university researchers and students
• the Canadian and global fraternity of sedimentary geoscientists
• selected companies interested in mineral exploration possibilities in sedimentary rocks
• citizens and school children

Some of our research capacity is offered commercially to the private sector working in Canada and abroad. Projects are undertaken on a cost recovery basis where:

• Appropriate internal resources are available
• There is no conflict of interest with others in the private sector
• There is a clear benefit to us in terms of enhancements to the geocience knowledge base
• Sufficient revenues are earned to sustain and augment our base program

Cost recovery projects result generally from discussions between scientists at GSC Calgary and contacts in the private sector, based on the geoscience needs of potential clients.

• Paleontology

  GSC paleontologists and laboratory facilities are available nationally and internationally for a wide variety of cost recovery and collaborative activities that conform to existing capabilities, on a case-by-case basis. These include:

  • Fossil identifications and interpretations
  • Laboratory preparations
  • Referrals to specialists nationally and globally
  • Collaborative and contracted studies
  • Short courses and training (in-house and external)
  • Analysis of needs and opportunities
  • Advice on setting up laboratories and facilities
  • Archiving of collections - secure and accessible

  Available expertise is mainly (not exclusively) in microfossils (primarily conodonts and foraminifera) and palynomorphs.

  Contact: Arthur Sweet

• Seismic analysis services

• Organic geochemistry laboratory services

• Organic petrology laboratory services

Our expertise and services are available to the Canadian geoscience community in both collaborative and cost-recovery endeavours.

In the case of collaborative undertakings, we work closely with industry partners, sharing costs and expertise on projects of mutual interest. Collaboration can take various forms, such as technology transfer or cooperative research. Information generated in collaborative programs is destined ultimately to be made available to the public.

One of our major goals is to help Canadian natural resources and environmental enterprises succeed internationally in today's highly competitive global markets. To this end, we can make our unique expertise and facilities available on a cost-recovery basis, provided the work does not constitute competition with the private sector.

• Our guidelines for working with industry

• Earth Sciences Sector Service Standards