Competition for the oil and gas sector worth $80 million

The Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) has announced $80 million for three large-scale technology competitions that will create positive environmental improvements for Canada’s oil and natural gas industry and end users.

Through the Government of Canada’s $100 million commitment from the Strategic Innovation Fund, CRIN’s three competitions will accelerate solutions to commercialization and wide-spread adoption to increase competitiveness and significantly reduce environmental impact.

“CRIN competitions are designed to advance breakthrough technologies that focus on enhancing environmental performance, including greenhouse gas emissions from source to end use,” said Joy Romero, president of CRIN and vice president, technology and innovation at Canadian Natural. “CRIN is about energy development and environmental stewardship to position Canada as a global leader in clean energy solutions.”

“Our government is committed to building a greener, more competitive economy for the benefit of all Canadians. Our focus on the economy goes across all sectors, including oil and gas. The government’s investment in CRIN is another step in this direction. This green push is as much about economic growth, competitiveness and jobs as it is about ensuring a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

The focus areas for each competition have been determined with the input of the oil and gas industry ensuring solutions meet industry’s needs and challenges. Each competition is run by independent competition coordinators to allow CRIN members to participate without conflict of interest.

The first competition opened March 24:

1. Reducing Environmental Footprint Technology Competition ($50 million)
   1. Focus areas include (but not limited to) methane mitigation; novel extraction solutions; water treatment technologies; and land management and retirement of inactive wells
   2. Maximum $10M to any project
   3. Expression of interest and applications: Launched March 24, 2021, and open until May 20, 2021 with contracting and awards in December 2021 – January 2022
   4. Information webinar April 7, 10:00 a.m. P
   5. Competition coordinator and application portal: Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)
2. Low Emission Fuels and Products Technology Competition ($25 million)
   1. Focus areas include (but not limited to) innovative products from hydrocarbons such as carbon fibre; carbon capture and utilization; hydrogen and geothermal and low carb intensity alternatives and new fuels
   2. Maximum of $10M to any project
   3. Expression of interest and applications: March 31, 2021 – June 9, 2021 with contracting and awards in December 2021 – January 2022
   4. Information webinar April 21 (details pending)
   5. Competition coordinator: Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre / The Delphi Group
3. Digital Oil and Gas Technology Competition ($5 million)
   1. Focus areas include (but not limited to) digital solutions for environmental monitoring; health and safety; capital project execution; and operations excellence and efficiency
   2. Maximum $1M to any project
   3. Expression of interest and applications will open in mid-May with contracting and awards in November – December 2021
   4. Information webinar date to come
   5. Competition coordinator: MaRS

All eligible projects must be at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6-9; demonstrate anticipated environmental and public benefits; and reflect an innovator and producer partnership (minimum 25 per cent of project cost must be supported by the private sector) that includes membership in CRIN.