Canadian Gas Association Emissions Testing Centre Network

Lead Proponent

Canadian Gas Association (CGA)

Project Objectives

The objective of this project is to reduce GHG emissions (primarily methane) from Canada’s oil and gas sector by: accelerating the development of emissions management technologies through creating a platform to enable testing and verification of technologies for emissions measurement, quantification, speciation and mitigation; facilitating emission/technology performance testing and data sharing, and contributing towards the development of highly qualified personnel (HQP).

Results

This project was able to:

1. Establish a fully-instrumented platform for simulated emissions testing and live testing at an operating gas facility, as well as at a partner lab at the University of Calgary for preliminary testing of technologies still under development
2. Undertake a total of around 25 projects encompassing technologies that are applicable to emissions from fugitive leaks, flare systems, vents from liquid storage tanks and compressors, wellsite vent emissions, and emissions from well drilling and completion.
3. Support the development and commercialization of emissions monitoring technologies that will support the upstream oil and gas sector in achieving GHG emission reductions.

Benefits to Canada

1. Establishment of a world-class emission management network that will position Canada as a leader in developing exportable emission management solutions and achieving cost-effective emissions reductions and regulatory compliance;
2. Development of a first-of-kind testing system that will allow technology developers and end users with a direct, quantitative, way to test and compare their products in a live, real-world operating facility;
3. Support an environmentally sustainable future for Canada’s oil and gas sector while contributing to the development of a strong resilient workforce; and,
4. Support Canada’s commitment to lower GHG emissions under the Paris Agreement.

Next Steps

Technology testing is ongoing at the fully-instrumented natural gas production plant in Edson, Alberta for field testing, as well as at the associated laboratory space at the University of Calgary. The Emissions Test Centre will continue to support technology testing based on availability of funding. Activities involve ongoing testing of existing technologies that were brought into the program during the NRCan-funded period, as well as additional intake of new technologies. Additional expansion of activities includes the development of an improved controlled-release site for validation of measurement accuracy and precision of technologies tested at the Emissions Testing Centre.