Canada Invests in Clean Technology for Alberta's Natural Resources Sectors

EDMONTON, AB, July 7, 2020 /CNW/ - Developing Canada's natural resources in more sustainable, more responsible ways drives our economy, reduces our environmental impacts and creates jobs. This will be more important than ever as we reopen the economy and plan our recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced an investment of $6 million, as part of the Canadian Emissions Reduction Innovation Network (CERIN) initiative, to the Petroleum Technology Alliance of Canada (PTAC) and Canadian Gas Association (CGA), through their Natural Gas Innovation Fund, to support their work in the oil and gas sector.

CERIN is a collaborative initiative between Natural Resources Canada and Alberta Innovates, which contributed $4.3 million to accelerate the development of technologies that reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector. The program brings together a unique collaborative network across Canada of academia, government and industry test centres, including a fully operational natural gas testing facility, focused on finding the right technologies so that they can be deployed quickly in Alberta, across Canada and globally.

These investments will inform protocols and standards for the detection and mitigation of methane emissions that will become the benchmark for Canada and the world. Through strong industry collaboration these investments will help Canada better understand and reduce methane emissions.

Reducing methane emissions is a significant part of Canada's plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and is a focus of the recently announced $750 million Emissions Reduction Fund. The government remains committed to building a clean energy future, and to supporting our natural resource sectors through this tough economic time.

Quotes

"Canada can't get to net zero emissions by 2050 without Alberta. This helps us achieve that goal."

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

"Methane is a particularly potent greenhouse gas, and we have significant expertise in Alberta in mitigation and emissions reduction. CERIN leverages these strengths, along with our research facilities and industry partnerships, to test and apply the latest technologies far more rapidly. This cooperation between industry and innovation system players unlocks economic potential immediately as it works to solve the climate challenge."

Laura Kilcrease, CEO
Alberta Innovates

"We are excited to be part of the CERIN initiative leading the development, demonstration and deployment of clean technologies in methane emissions management including quantification at a fully operational natural gas production facility. This opportunity brings increased data availability, verified clean technology performance and a greater understanding of high-impact opportunities."

John Adams
Managing Director, Natural Gas Innovation Fund

Associated Links
Canadian Emissions Reduction Innovation Network (CERIN) program 
Alberta Innovates

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada