The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $400,000, as part of its Methane Action Plan (MAP), to support field-testing research on innovative methane emission reduction technologies.聽
Oil and gas producers are also providing funding in order to validate projects before they move to widespread commercial adoption.
The research will be conducted by the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) and focus on testing, validating and accelerating adoption rates for a range of technologies.
鈥淚n recent years, the oil and gas sector has significantly improved gas conservation rates and reduced methane emissions, so it makes common sense to continue to work together and build on that record,鈥� Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre said.聽
鈥淔ield testing is a critical step that will confirm practical technologies that convert currently vented and flared methane into commercialized products.鈥�
鈥淥ur investment in this technology is a win-win for the industry and the environment,鈥� Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Tina Beaudry-Mellor said. 鈥淎nd we will continue supporting new technologies to stimulate economic growth while recognizing our provincial responsibility to reduce greenhouse gases.鈥�
The SRC, together with the oil and gas sector, will review proposed innovative technologies to identify those with the best potential to meet methane emission reduction obligations and their applicability to specific conditions in Saskatchewan.
MAP, which is included in the province鈥檚 Prairie Resilience climate change strategy and the Saskatchewan Growth Plan, is a comprehensive approach of policies and programs aimed at reducing GHG emissions from methane venting and flaring in the upstream oil and gas sector.
The program is designed to reduce methane emissions from Saskatchewan鈥檚 upstream oil and gas industry by 40 to 45 per cent by 2025.
