The history of the development of the modern petroleum industry is a history of scientific invention and technological innovation. The over-100-year history of the petroleum industry demonstrates that science and technology are the keys to the success. For example, the value of the technology lies in using the least amount of investment to extract the most oil and gas from reserves, while minimizing the impact to the environment and civilization. The emergence and extensive use of techniques as the 3-D seismic exploration and directed drilling increased the rate of success in drilling oil and gas from 50% in the beginning of the 1990s to 70% at present. Today, the horizontal drilling of unconventional reserves, SAGD technology, improved fracturing techniques and countless other innovations are responsible for the growth and extended life of Canada’s non-renewable petroleum reserves.

The oil and gas industry is Canada’s biggest investor in research and development into new, better ways of protecting the environment. New techniques and technology, and innovative ideas are critical to developing oil and gas, and addressing environmental concerns. Here are some examples of technological innovations and agencies that are changing Canada’s petroleum industry for the better:

The Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC) – www.ptrc.ca
PTRC is a not-for-profit research and development organization with offices and laboratories in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It was founded in 1998 by Natural Resources Canada, Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, Saskatchewan Research Council and the University of Regina, with support from the western Canadian oil and gas industry.

Major Initiatives:

1. 1) Managing of the world’s largest CO2 Storage Project (Weyburn-Midale CO2 Project).
2. Managing potentially the world’s largest avoided CO2 emissions project (JIVE Project).
3. Managing Saskatchewan’s first integrated CO2 capture, transport, injection and storage project in a deep saline formation, Aquistore.
4. Advancing enhanced oil recovery technologies through the STEPS Business-Led Network or Centres of Excellence.
5. Understanding Saskatchewan’s subsurface through the Saskatchewan Phanerozoic Fluids and Petroleum Systems Project.

Petroleum Research Atlantic Canada (PRAC) – www.pr-ac..ca

Petroleum Research Atlantic Canada (PRAC) is a not-for-profit, member-based organization that funds and facilitates collaborative research and development to support the safe and environmentally sound development of Atlantic Canada’s petroleum resources. Governed by a nine-member Board of Directors (the majority from industry), PRAC’s members include: upstream producers and explorers, universities and colleges involved in petroleum research, and federal and provincial government departments and agencies.