January 15, 2010
Regina, Saskatchewan
The International Performance Assessment Centre for Geologic Storage of CO2 (IPAC-CO2) at the University of Regina will be able to purchase equipment and undertake activities to become fully operational thanks to funding announced today by the Government of Canada with previous support from the Government of Saskatchewan along with Shell Canada and the University of Regina.
Andrew Scheer, Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole and Member of Parliament for Regina-Qu’Appelle, speaking on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, made the announcement, which allows IPAC-CO2 to proceed with start-up activities and ultimately focus on developing a greater understanding of how geological CO2 storage projects function.
“Our Government is committed to supporting innovative projects that will strengthen our economy and improve our competitiveness,” said MP Scheer. “Today’s investment for IPAC-CO2 builds on Saskatchewan’s strength as a leader in carbon capture and storage research, laying a knowledge foundation that solidifies our global presence in this field and ensures that we emerge from the tough economic times stronger than before.
“This federal funding will go a long way toward ensuring Saskatchewan remains a leader in carbon capture and storage,” Regina South MLA Bill Hutchinson said on behalf of Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd. “We are proud to add Western Economic Diversification to our list of partners in the innovative IPAC-CO2 centre here at the University of Regina.”
With today’s $4 million federal investment, IPAC-CO2 will purchase sophisticated analytic equipment to better understand what is happening to CO2 in the subsurface and to provide better data on storage sites. It will create a Community of Practice to work with researchers, industry and regulators around the world. IPAC-CO2 will conduct modeling of carbon capture systems and, finally, it will work with the Canadian Standards Association and the International Standards Organization to develop the first national and international standards for geological storage.
Today’s funding bolsters the Government of Saskatchewan and Shell Canada commitments of $5 million each announced in November 2008 to establish IPAC-CO2 as a centre that will help make western Canada and a network of international experts the leaders in the large-scale deployment and acceptance of CCS internationally. Saskatchewan and Shell Canada have both provided a portion from their commitments to today’s announcement, while the University of Regina has contributed over $100,000 to make IPAC-CO2 a success.
"As an original funder of IPAC-CO2, Shell is pleased to see additional support for IPAC and recognition that IPAC is a key enabler of developing CCS globally," said Rob Seeley, General Manager Sustainable Development, Shell Canada. "All potential pathways to reduce CO2 emissions need to be pursued - including energy efficiency, renewable energy, low carbon energy and CCS."
“The University of Regina continues to lead in the area of energy research and technology demonstration of Carbon Capture and Storage.” said University of Regina President Vianne Timmons. “This investment and the ongoing work of our government and industry partners will lead to the adoption and expansion of this important technology in support of clean energy solutions around the globe.”
“Understanding clearly the effects of CO2 storage in the subsurface will be instrumental to gaining broad acceptance,” said Malcolm Wilson, Acting Director General of IPAC-CO2 and Director of the Office of Energy and Environment at the University of Regina. “The vision of IPAC-CO2 is to become the definitive resource for sourcing, engagement and sharing of knowledge on the geological storage of carbon dioxide.”
Today’s federal investment is through the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA). Under the Agreement both levels of government are contributing $25 million each, over four years, to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in western Canadian communities.
For more information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 975-5942
Dale Johnson
External Relations
University of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 585-5439
Debbie Clark
Communications
Crown Investments Corporation
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 787-5451
Kurt Kadatz
Sr. CX Representative
Oil Sands Stakeholder
Engagement & Policy
Shell Canada Limited
Calgary, Alberta
Tel: (403) 691-4209
Joe Ralko
Public Information Officer
IPAC-CO2
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 585-5228
Cell: (306) 539-9270
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
International Performance Assessment Centre for Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide (IPAC-CO2)
IPAC-CO2 was established in November 2008 with $5 million each from the Government of Saskatchewan and Shell Canada. It is an independent, international research network that provides and advances global expertise to benchmark, evaluate and advise on the risks and performance of geological storage of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) has the potential to help Canada balance its need for energy with the need to protect the environment.
The goal of IPAC- CO2 is to provide performance evaluations and risk assessments for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.
The intended outcomes of IPAC- CO2 are to:
- increase public and regulator confidence in the permanence of CO2 geologic storage technologies.
- develop best practices and guidelines for the assessment and development of storage projects globally.
- build technical leadership and best-in-class skill sets to position IPAC- CO2 as the preferred community for engagement and collaboration in CCS.
- create and maintain the most comprehensive repository/database of best practices for assessing risks associated with geological storage of CO2.
The centre’s work will be instrumental in helping governments develop the policies and regulations required for the large-scale deployment of CCS. It will assist in establishing CCS as an internationally-recognized method of CO2 mitigation, and as a compliance option in domestic and international greenhouse gas regulatory frameworks. This body of knowledge is considered critical to help CCS projects around the world move forward.
IPAC-CO2 will be the only organization in the world that will offer domestic and international clients a complete suite of services. IPAC- CO2’s web portal will provide on-line information management and research support services for sharing, exchange and development of best practices, standards and tools for mitigating the risk of CO2 storage. This website will offer mechanisms to track, prioritize and communicate community activities on key processes such as standards development and site permitting. Work on building this community began in 2009.
Given its internationally recognized expertise in CCS and environmental technologies, and its participation in the International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas R&D Program Weyburn-Midale CO2 Monitoring and Storage project, the U of R will host the secretariat for IPAC-CO2.
CCS in Western Canada
Western Canada has a number of unique characteristics suitable for widespread CCS deployment:
- numerous, concentrated sources of CO2 (coal-fired power plants, oil sands operations, petroleum refineries, chemical plants);
- decades of experience with many aspects of CCS, including gas capture, gas injection, gas transport by pipelines and the use of CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR);
- large CO2 “sinks” suitable for both EOR and geologic sequestration; and
- experience gained from the internationally recognized International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas R&D Program Weyburn-Midale CO2 Monitoring and Storage project in Saskatchewan.
