Saskatchewan to increase oil production, establishes energy innovation hub in Regina
The provincial government is moving forward with plans to significantly increase oil production in the Saskatchewan. This decision includes funding a new energy innovation hub in Regina.
The Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PRTC) at the University of Regina has long been a leader in petroleum industry research. Now, its receiving $1.5 million in funding to the PTRC for creation of an Energy Innovation Hub.
“The equipment has been refurbished, upgraded. It’s going to allow us to do some new things here at PTRC that we weren’t able to do before,” explained Jeremy Harrison, minister in charge of Innovation Saskatchewan.
“Working with our industry partners with the ultimate objective of actually having more oil that is produced here in the province of Saskatchewan.”
Saskatchewan currently produces about 480,000 barrels of oil a day. The province is looking to increase that by about 25 per cent.
“We have a target of 600,000 barrels of oil production here in Saskatchewan in our growth plan,” Harrison explained. “We are intent on hitting that despite the federal government being incredibly unhelpful in that regard.”
The research will go beyond oil and gas.
“We are looking at all the other energy,” PRTC CEO Ranjith Narayanasamy explained. “For example, we are working on the geothermal feasibility study for the City of Regina aquatic centre, the geothermal facility.”
Other sectors interested in reducing emissions will also become involved – including fertilizer giant Mosaic.
“In the production of potash, a lot of energy is used and you know our goal is to eventually be carbon free and PTRC is a fantastic partner to help us understand new technologies, especially in the areas of carbon capture,” Vice President of Potash Lawrence Berthelet told CTV News.
Initially, the work of the Energy Innovation Hub will be funded by the province but talks are taking place toward also bringing the federal government on board as a partner.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm. Florida orders evacuations
Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm off Mexico and threatens Florida, forecasters say.
'Selfish billionaire': Chip Wilson's mansion vandalized after political sign erected outside
Days after a political sign was erected outside Chip Wilson's Vancouver mansion, the waterfront property has been vandalized with graffiti.
BREAKING Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston's mother and a Grammy-winning singer, dies at 91
Cissy Houston, the mother of the late Whitney Houston and a two-time Grammy winner who performed alongside superstar musicians like Elvis Presley, and Aretha Franklin, has died. She was 91.
Two people injured in apparent road rage incident, shooting in North York
Two people are in hospital after they were chased and shot at in what appears to be an act of road rage before eventually flipping their car while trying to escape, police say.
Canadian soldier wins compensation for cancer linked to burn pits after Veterans Affairs denied claim
A Canadian soldier who was exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits while serving in Afghanistan has been awarded full medical compensation for testicular cancer after Veterans Affairs initially denied his claim.
Sammy Basso, longest living survivor of rare rapid-aging disease progeria, dies at 28
Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28, the Italian Progeria Association said on Sunday.
A Canadian woman was recently diagnosed with scurvy. Here are the factors tied to the disease
Scurvy is not just an archaic diagnosis of 18th-century seafarers and doctors should watch for possible cases, according to researchers following a recent case.
Self-identifying Indigenous group got $74M in federal cash, Inuit leader wants change
As millions in federal funding flow into a Labrador group whose claims of Inuit identity have been rejected by Indigenous organizations across Canada, a national Inuit leader worries the Liberal government is putting the rights of Indigenous Peoples at risk.
Alleged suicide kit salesman files in Supreme Court to contest whether assisted suicide can ever be murder
Lawyers representing the Ontario man accused of selling hundreds of suicide kits with deadly effect around the globe have filed to intervene in a case in Canada’s highest court, arguing there is no way he can be charged with murder under Canadian law.