Alberta’s government is investing $2.7 million to support new technologies that will help oil and gas companies reduce water use while creating jobs and powering the world.
Global energy demands continue to rise, and jurisdictions around the world are looking for responsible, reliable and secure energy. At the same time, many companies and countries are also looking for ways to reduce water use and manage water more efficiently while also meeting this soaring demand.
Alberta’s oil and gas operators are leading the world in responsible water management. To date, operators have already reduced their overall water use by 25 per cent. Alberta companies now recycle about 80 per cent of the water used in their operations, reducing the need for freshwater, and use advanced filtration systems to treat wastewater.
To keep this momentum going, Alberta’s government is investing nearly $2.7 million from the industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program into three new projects developing technologies to help reduce water use while growing responsible energy production.
“Global energy demand is rising and jurisdictions around the world are looking to us for ways to grow production while maximizing water efficiency. This funding will help test and advance three new technologies designed to help companies reduce water use and increase energy production at the same. It’s a win for the environment, the energy sector and the economy.”
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
Through Emissions Reduction Alberta, the province will invest $1.47 million into two new water filtration technologies led by Aqua Pure Technologies and Eximius Environmental Solutions. At the same time, $1.2 million will go to helping Canadian Natural Resources Limited test a new chemical developed by ChampionX that makes heavy oil and bitumen flow faster and more easily toward the production well, reducing the demand for steam.
“These projects have already shown great promise with support from our partners, and we’re excited to see how provincial funding through Emissions Reduction Alberta can help take them to the next level. What is especially exciting is their potential to be commercialized in the near future, offering the oil and gas industry practical solutions to lower emissions, save water, and reduce costs.”
Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta
“The significant financial backing received from the Government of Alberta and Emissions Reduction Alberta will accelerate the progress and commercialization of Aqua Pure Technologies’ PROH2O® Technology. This funding is crucial for improving the company’s ability to deliver clean technology developed in Alberta to both domestic and global markets while highlighting Alberta’s leadership in oil and gas water reuse and emissions reduction initiatives.”
Daniel Nelson, CEO, Aqua Pure Technologies
“Funding from the Government of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta is essential to the commercialization of the VelRay X™ and its application in mobile filtration operations, bridging the gap between prototype validation and market readiness. This support enables critical testing, stakeholder engagement, and deployment, ensuring the technology’s scalability and positioning it to set new standards for sustainable water management in Alberta and beyond.”
Jeff Wollin, vice president of sales and operations, Eximius Environmental Solutions
Aqua Pure Technologies: Ultra-Filtration Technology
Aqua Pure Technologies will test its innovative PROH2O® ultra-filtration technology to improve water recycling in the oil and gas industry. This technology can remove 99.9 per cent of contaminants from water.
Funding will also support a self-cleaning system to help make oil and gas operations more efficient, helping companies find ways to reduce costs and improve productivity. The project will be demonstrated in Three Hills.
Eximius Environmental Solutions: Filtration System
Eximius Environmental Solutions will advance its new VelRay X™ system that filters out tiny particles from the water used during oil extraction processes. This makes the water cleaner and more suitable for oil and gas companies to reuse, reducing the need for freshwater. Cleaner water prevents blockages which protects equipment and makes it last longer, lowers the risk of pollution, and reduces amount of wastewater being discarded, saving companies money on treatment and disposal costs.
This process also uses stainless steel filters in place of traditional, emissions-intensive bag filters. These do not need to be replaced as often, reducing waste and emissions at the landfill. Test sites will be announced in the future.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited: Chemical Additive for Heavy Oil and Bitumen
Canadian Natural Resources Limited is using $1.2 million in provincial funding to test out a chemical additive that will make heavy oil and bitumen flow better in its steam-assisted gravity drainage operations. Adding this new chemical will help the oil flow faster and more easily toward the production well. Special chemicals like this one also prevent blockages, where oil becomes trapped in areas that are hard to reach by steam. If less oil gets stuck to rock surfaces, more oil can be recovered. Chemicals like this one can reduce the amount of steam needed by making the steam better at penetrating the oil sands or reservoir, reducing water use. Testing will take place at the Kirby North plant in Lac La Biche.
Quick facts
- The three projects were selected through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Continuous Intake Programs and, combined, are worth a total of $6.1 million in public and private investments.
- Drilling and fracturing operations currently require 0.17 per cent of all allocated water in Alberta.
Related information
Media inquiries
Ryan Fournier
Ryan.Fournier@gov.ab.ca
780-232-2213
Press Secretary, Environment and Protected Areas
Kevin Duncan
Media Relations
Emissions Reduction Alberta
403.431.2859
kduncan@eralberta.ca
About ERA
Emissions Reduction Alberta has been investing revenues from the carbon price paid by large emitters to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative clean technology solutions for 15 years. Since established in 2009, ERA has committed nearly $985 million toward 298 projects worth $9 billion that are helping to reduce GHGs, create competitive industries and are leading to new business opportunities in Alberta. These projects are estimated to deliver cumulative GHG reductions of 42.5 million tonnes by 2030 and 117.6 million tonnes by 2050.
About Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Funding
The Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Regulation is at the core of emissions management in Alberta. The TIER system implements Alberta’s industrial carbon pricing and emissions trading system. TIER helps industrial facilities find innovative ways to reduce emissions and invest in clean technology to stay competitive and save money.