We believe Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) can develop its offshore energy resources safely, responsibly and respectful of our environment. This comes from understanding our harsh offshore ecosystem, and reducing existing and potential environmental risks. We have stewarded projects in lowering greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), ice and iceberg behavior, ice management techniques, and environmental characterization and monitoring.
Emissions Reduction – FR
Energy Research & Innovation (ERI) delivered the offshore Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) component of Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Emissions Reduction Fund.
The Emissions Reduction Fund’s Offshore RD&D Program supported applied research and innovation projects related to reducing GHGs in NL’s offshore oil and gas industry.
Following a competitive call for proposals, 18 projects received funding to investigate offshore emissions reductions opportunities (read news releases – May 5, 2021 and February 21, 2022).
The Emissions Reduction Fund, Offshore RD&D Program has concluded. See Program Conclusion news release.
ERI continues to work with ERF project partners to advance our emissions reduction objectives in Canada’s offshore.
Supported by:
For more information about NRCan’s Emissions Reduction Fund click here.
Environmental Genomics – OceanDNA System™
The OceanDNA System will revolutionize how we assess, monitor and characterize the ocean.
The OceanDNA System applies the use of environmental genomics to the oil and gas and other ocean sectors to help inform sustainable ocean management and activity. At its Centre for Environmental Genomics Applications (CEGA) in St. John’s, NL, eDNAtec, with support from its project partners, will develop and commercialize genomics solutions to modernize the way we monitor, measure and assess fish stocks. By reading DNA from environmental samples, such as sediment or sea water, a comprehensive range of organisms can be identified – from bacteria to marine mammals – which yields a complete picture of the ecosystem. This is an improvement over conventional approaches to ecological assessment, such as direct sampling and visual/acoustic observation, which are more costly, labour-intensive and can be imprecise. eDNAtec’s technology achieves proven cost reductions, strengthens environmental stewardship, enhances safety and supports regulatory compliance.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) data can also be combined with complementary data derived from acoustics, remote sensing, counts from fishing activities, and historical knowledge to generate predictive models about the presence, location and abundance of high value target species.
Energy Research & Innovation, Nunavut Fisheries Association, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are partnering with eDNAtec Inc. on this exciting environmental initiative.
Oil Spill Response
All offshore operators in NL have developed environmental protection plans that outline measures to prevent or mitigate potential effects on the environment. While the industry’s focus is on prevention of environmental emergencies, proper response preparation is crucial. Operators have ready-to-implement contingency plans to ensure adequate response measures, including trained workers and equipment, are in place in the event of an incident.
The industry is committed to continuous improvement in environmental performance. Energy Research & Innovation has led research that investigated environmental effects monitoring, use of dispersants and technologies for spill control in harsh environments, and the risk of environmental impact of discharges. The industry regularly assesses new research and technology as a means of identifying continuous improvement opportunities and funds research dedicated to further strengthening environmental performance.