The Research & Development Corporation (RDC) and Statoil Canada Ltd. have announced a collaborative investment in three new research and development projects with the potential to improve Arctic and harsh-environment offshore oil and gas operations in Newfoundland and Labrador and around the world.
The total value of the projects is $3.9 million, including $2.4 million from Statoil Canada and $1.5 million from RDC.
“This collaborative initiative aligns well with our efforts to enhance the province’s reputation as a real-world Arctic laboratory and a proving ground for harsh environment research and development. Newfoundland and Labrador’s deeply rooted culture in ocean innovation has turned what many view as challenges into opportunities and competitive advantages. Surrounded by cold water and extreme weather conditions, there is no better place than Newfoundland and Labrador to develop new Arctic technologies. As a government, our goal is to bolster economic development by positioning our province as the ideal staging ground for Arctic activities,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan , Minister of Innovation, Business and Regional Development and Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation.
The projects, funded through Statoil Canada’s Arctic R&D Step-Up initiative and RDC’s ArcticTECH program, are:
*Kvaerner Canada Ltd. – Arctic subsea oil and gas separation and storage technology; *Rutter Inc. – oil and ice analysis system capable of automatically detecting and displaying ice features, and providing ice floe and pan drift prediction; and, *AMEC Americas Ltd. – integrated ice surveillance system that incorporates risk assessment, iceberg and sea-ice remote sensing technology, and ice forecasting technology.
Statoil announced the Arctic R&D Step-Up initiative in March 2013, inviting companies to submit proposals related to Arctic subsea production systems or remote sensing technology. The initiative was launched by Statoil Canada identifying RDC as a collaborative partner.
“Statoil is constantly seeking strategic, innovative solutions to meet its technology requirements, to build expertise and to solve key harsh environment challenges. We are pleased with the quality of the project proposals received through this initiative. I am confident that by working with these companies and RDC, we will enhance Arctic R&D capacity,” said Atle Aadland , Vice President, Offshore Newfoundland, Statoil Canada.
RDC’s investment includes a $500,000 commitment for each of the three projects.
“These projects represent opportunities to not only develop new technologies, but also enhance business R&D capacity in Newfoundland and Labrador. In launching this initiative, Statoil recognized opportunities to build local capacity that aligned with their Arctic and harsh environment development opportunities and technology needs. I am confident this collaborative initiative will provide significant long-term benefits to the province,” said G lenn Janes , Chief Executive Officer, RDC.