The province has joined forces with energy giant Shell in exploring the possibility of storing carbon dioxide deep underground in Alberta’s unique sub-surface formations.
“Carbon sequestration is a globally recognized way to help with the carbon emissions,” advanced education and technology minister Doug Horner said of the technology also known as carbon capture.
A $20-million project – $6.6 million of which will be provided by the Alberta Energy Research Institute – is about to get underway near Shell Canada’s Scotford facility.
It will have three test wells to examine the CO2 injection capability and storage capacity of formations deep beneath the Earth’s surface.
“I think it’s internationally recognized – and certainly the scientific community here in the province recognizes – that we have probably some of the best formations in the world to do this type of sequestration in a very safe and efficient manner,” Horner said.
He added that this field test focuses on the technology he hopes Alberta and others around the world will be using in the future.
Horner said the results should have applications world-wide, putting Alberta – whose image as an environmentally friendly place has been tarnished by the oilsands in recent years – in a positive spotlight.
“The majority of our CO2 emissions actually come out of our coal-fired electrical plants,” he said when asked if carbon capture in the province is aimed at the oil and gas industries.
“This is an application of technology into a formation which is unique to Alberta that can be applied to not just the oil and gas industry but any industry that generates CO2.”
Horner said Alberta’s blossoming carbon-capture program will not discourage research into clean forms of energy, but will work in tandem with alternative sources of power to reduce the province’s carbon footprint.
“It’s very exciting to take this important step on the road to commercializing technologies that improve environmental practices in Alberta, open new markets for clean technology and help address the world-wide challenge of climate change,” Horner said in a press release yesterday.
The press release said the test phase has the green light to go ahead – though Horner couldn’t say when shovels will hit the ground – and is expected to wrap up by June 2010.
By TAMAS VIRAG, SUN MEDIA
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