Why is this research important to Alberta?
- Objectives around “decarbonizing” oil sands production in Alberta reflect the relatively high carbon footprint associated with oil sands production.
- This project will develop new microbial technology for lowering the emissions intensity associated with steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) for oil sands production in Alberta.
- By increasing oil production rates without any additional steam generation (which causes the CO2 emissions), the carbon footprint per barrel of oil production is reduced.
What is the goal of this work? How will genomics be used?
Genomics will be used to:
- Understand and optimize the enrichment of thermophilic bacteria by a combination of nutrients and temperature.
- Determine the optimal combinations of microbiome, nutrient (composition, concentration) and temperature.
Metagenomic datasets will be prioritized and used to:
- Understand the genes involved in biogas production.
- Ensure that harmless, climate-friendly gas products (N2) are produced by the combination of bacteria, nutrients and heat.
Partners include start-up Meteor Biotech (owner of patents for this technology) and Imperial Oil Ltd (providing samples including core material from Alberta SAGD reservoirs).
What are the expected benefits, and how will the research findings be shared?
The project aims to use genomics as inputs for reservoir models to:
- Advance the “microbial enhanced thermally engineered oil recovery” (meteor) technology to TRL 6-7 by the end of the project.
Initial projections suggest that successful deployment of meteor in Alberta’s SAGD sector could:
- Yield billions of dollars in additional production and lower the carbon footprint (expressed as “steam to oil ratio”) by about 25%.
This outcome aligns with provincial and federal leadership around “decarbonizing” Canadian oil by lowering the carbon footprint per barrel.
Related Resources
Related information can be accessed through:
- Industry partner website: Meteor Biotech | The Next Generation Spatial Cell Sorter
- Research publication: Denitrification genotypes of endospore-forming Bacillota