Support for clean water technologies to benefit the oil and gas industry
EDMONTON (CNW) - Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is receiving almost $600,000 from Western Economic Diversification Canada and $200,000 from Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) to design and construct a high temperature, high pressure testing unit that Western Canadian companies will use to implement water technologies in oil sands.
The funding was announced today by Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 issues, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Today's investment will help establish a Membrane Technology Assessment Program (MTAP) at NAIT's Centre for Oil Sands Sustainability to support the design and construction of a membrane technology unit. The unit will test membrane and other water treatment technologies designed by companies in controlled conditions that simulate oil sands in situ operations.
The testing unit will help develop 12 industrial water technologies used in oil sands, and train and develop 12 highly qualified people. This will also enable at least six western Canadian oil companies the opportunity to test their technologies and more quickly implement innovations that create environmental and economic benefits.
A focus on clean technology, innovation and growth is a core element of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Through the Framework, Canada will focus on creating and maintaining globally competitive Canadian businesses as we transition to a low-carbon economy. Canada's Innovation Agenda promotes clean growth, good jobs and higher living standards for the middle class. The investments announced today are an example of this vision in action.
"This membrane testing unit continues a tradition of leading-edge applied research with industry partners, helping them to become more sustainable. I would like to thank the Government of Canada and Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance for supporting this project." - Dr. Glenn Feltham, President and CEO, NAIT
Comments