Achieving CRIN’s goal of reducing 100 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions from producing Canada’s oil and gas resources by 2033 is within reach!
Today, CRIN is announcing the first projects identified for funding awards through CRIN’s $80 million Oil and Gas Technology Competitions, made possible by funding from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).
The projects announced today are applicants in CRIN’s Digital Oil and Gas Technology Competition, the first of the three competitions to be announced. Additional projects in the Low Emissions Fuels and Products competition, and the Reducing Environmental Footprint competition will be announced in the coming weeks. Total funding of up to $80 million will be distributed across the three competitions. Each competition focuses on specific objectives within the priority environmental and economic theme areas defined by industry.
Projects recommended for funding were selected from a field of over 30 eligible applicants in the Digital Oil and Gas Technology Competition. CRIN funding totals $4 million of the combined project value of nearly $12 million. Projects in the Digital competition leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics or extremely large data sets and analytics tools to aid in the detection and monitoring of oil and gas industry emissions, and to improve the health and safety of workers and wildlife.
Outcomes of each funded project in the Digital Oil and Gas Technology Competition support at least one of four topics:
- Environmental Monitoring (supporting emissions reduction)
- Operational Excellence and Efficiency
- Capital Project Execution
- Health and Safety
Projects identified for funding: CRIN Digital Oil and Gas Technology Competition
- View project profiles at www.AcceleratingCleanEnergy.com
Lead Applicant | Project Title | Funding from CRIN |
Aerium Analytics | Automated Wildlife Detection Network and RoBird® Deterrence System | $1,000,000 |
Avestec | Intelligent Robotic Inspection: Contact-based Inspection Using Tethered Flying Robots | $750,000 |
Kuva Systems | ML Learning for False Positive Elimination in Continuous Methane Monitoring with Low-cost IR Cameras | $760,605 |
Qube Technologies | Emissions Reduction Through Continuous Monitoring and AI | $212,895 |
SensorUp Inc. | AI-driven & IoT-enabled Connected Worker Solution | $500,000 |
VEERUM Inc. | Digital Twinning Legacy Facilities: Unified Data for Environmental, Safety and Productivity Improvements | $776,500 |
TOTAL: | $4,000,000 | |
Meeting environmental targets including net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada’s oil and gas industry requires many contributors and actions to bring together the innovation, investment and collaboration that will generate results and deliver the sustainable energy future that Canadians expect. CRIN competitions require projects to demonstrate vital collaboration between small and medium solution developers and industry producers who provide additional investment and field testing. Diverse collaborators play important roles to accelerate the innovation development cycle through to widespread adoption where positive environmental benefits can be realized for Canada.
Quotes
“To build a healthier environment and healthier economy, we are pleased to have CRIN as a partner to contribute to reaching our 2030 GHG targets. By seeking out projects that advance innovation and clean technologies across the country, CRIN supports long-term economic growth, helps create jobs, fosters innovation and helps Canada meet its emissions reduction targets.”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“The collaborative oil and gas innovation ecosystem continues to lead Canada and the world in accelerating the development of technologies that will deliver a sustainable, diverse energy future. Today’s announcement helps demonstrate that a systems approach that allows contribution and application across many industries is what will help Canada achieve climate change and other environmental targets as quickly as possible.”
– Ginny Flood, Chair, Clean Resource Innovation Network
“Congratulations to all the ventures on building solutions that will drive real environmental, economic and social benefits while growing globally competitive businesses. In this challenge, we have witnessed the power of the Canadian innovation economy. When climate innovation entrepreneurs work with policy makers and leaders in the oil and gas industry, we can drive innovation adoption at scale.”
– Yung Wu, CEO, MaRS Discovery District
“The diversity of project solutions in the CRIN technology competitions is a very exciting demonstration of the world-class innovation taking place in Canada. CRIN is very pleased to provide the network and platforms that bring developers together with industry, government, investors, academics, and the many other sectors that are necessary to lead ideas to market.”
– Glen McCrimmon, Technology Enablement Sub-Committee Chair, CRIN
Quick Facts
The Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) is a pan-Canadian network focused on ensuring Canada’s hydrocarbon resources are sustainably developed and integrated into the global energy systems. CRIN, as a ‘network of networks,’ connects a vast array of skills, knowledge and experience from oil and gas and other industries to technology developers, researchers, government, investors, academia, entrepreneurs, youth and many other sectors. By identifying industry challenges, we create a market pull to accelerate commercialization and widespread clean technology adoption with environmental, economic and public benefits for Canada. CRIN is supported in part by a $100 million investment from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund. Join the CRIN network today to see how the network can support your project!
CRIN $80 million Technology Competitions Overview
Digital Oil and Gas
| Low Emission Fuels & Products | Reducing Environmental Footprint | |
Scope | Environmental monitoring Health and safety Capital project execution Operational excellence and efficiency | Innovative products from hydrocarbons Carbon capture & utilization Hydrogen and geothermal Low carbon intensity alternatives and new fuels | Land & wellsite reclamation Methane emissions, monitoring, quantification & abatement Novel hydrocarbon Extraction Water technology development |
Award Announcement (subject to change) | January 26, 2022 | February 16, 2022 | March 9, 2022 |
Powered by Competition Coordinator | MaRS Discovery District | Foresight CAC and The Delphi Group | Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) |
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
SIF supports national innovation ecosystems, pan-Canadian network-led projects that involve a high degree of collaboration to stimulate innovation and commercialization in areas of Canadian advantage and enhance linkages between businesses and academia/research bodies.
CRIN uses the SIF investment to administer initiatives in seven technology focus areas for activities related to ecosystem growth, enhancement and long-term sustainability. These technology focus areas have the highest potential for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and environmental footprint of the oil and gas sector, helping advance net-zero emissions targets. At least half of this funding will go to small and medium-sized businesses, and all will contribute to helping the oil and gas industry continue to create public and economic benefits for Canada alongside environmental benefits.
Associated Links
- Strategic Innovation Fund
- CRIN $80M Technology Competitions Overview
- AcceleratingCleanEnergy.com (Project Profiles)
Contacts
Janice Harvie
Member Engagement & Outreach Coordinator
Clean Resource Innovation Network
jharvie@cleanresourceinnovation.com
Berta Gomez
Communications Advisor, Sector Support
Clean Resource Innovation Network