SUNDRE – The Sundre Petroleum Operators’ Group (SPOG) will receive $3 million to test the viability of methane emission reduction technology, officials announced at a news conference in Sundre this morning.
The funds are coming through the province’s recently launched Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) system.
Jason Nixon, Sundre-area MLA and provincial Minister of Environment and Parks, spoke during the Aug. 5 news conference, saying the SPOG funding will help industry “identify, track, measure and ultimately reduce emissions.”
SPOG is a collection of oil and gas companies with operations in the Sundre area. Tracey McCrimmon is the executive director of the organization.
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“We are very excited to facilitate our methane emission management pilot that supports industry’s drive to reduce their environmental footprint in a cost-effective and collaborative approach,” said McCrimmon, who also is a board member of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).
“In partnership with our SPOG producer members, we are striving to test the latest available technologies in detection and provide science-based solutions for methane emissions.”
SPOG will use aircraft, drones, road vehicles, fixed sensors and other equipment during the pilot project, she said.
Wednesday’s announcement also included $2 million TIER funding for the Petroleum Technology Alliance of Canada.
The announcement ceremony took place at the Black Gold Rush Industries facilities. The company is a SPOG member.
See more in next week’s Albertan.
