Leaders Gather to Discuss Saskatchewan's Carbon Capture Future

REGINA, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Leaders from government, industry and academia are gathering today in Regina to discuss the future economic potential of Carbon Capture and Storage in Saskatchewan.  The meeting, hosted by the International Performance Assessment Centre for Geologic Storage of CO₂ (IPAC-CO2) and the Integrated CO₂ Network (ICO₂N), aims to forge a thoughtful vision for potential CCS infrastructure and economic development in the province.

"Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a crucial technology for developing Canada's vast fossil fuel resources sustainably and ensuring a vibrant economy for years to come," says Robert Craig, Director of Strategy and Technology for ICO₂N.  "There is recognition that Canada is a world leader in CCS technology.  Planning for the future will only help to secure our position as an innovator."

There are five large-scale integrated CCS projects in Western Canada moving forward in the 2015 timeframe, including SaskPower's Boundary Dam project located near Estevan.  Saskatchewan is also home to one of the world's only operating CCS projects, the Weyburn-Midale Enhanced Oil Recovery project.

"Saskatchewan is a hot spot for CCS activity and with proper foresight we can ensure an integrated, efficient CCS system develops over time.  Bringing together some of the brightest minds around CCS in Saskatchewan is just the first step," says Peter Wyant, Chief Development Office for IPAC CO2.

The discussion will focus on technological deployment, evaluating storage and enhanced oil recovery opportunities, transportation infrastructure requirements, and the potential economic benefits for the province including royalty and tax revenues and jobs.

"Put simply, carbon capture and storage could be a key competitive advantage for Saskatchewan," says Mr. Wyant.  "Forming collaborative partnerships and a collective vision for the future will help us to get there."

IPAC CO2 - IPAC-CO2 Research Inc., the International Performance Assessment Centre for Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide, is a Regina-based environmental, non-government organization (ENGO) created to fill a gap in the understanding and assessment of risk and performance in the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) chain.
More information on IPAC CO2 can be found at www.ipac-co2.com

ICO₂N - The Integrated CO2 Network is a Calgary-based group of companies that represents a significant cross-section of Canada's large industrial CO2 emitters. All ICO2N member companies have a strong interest in and a commitment to developing CCS in Canada. The group has done an extensive amount of work in analyzing the challenges and opportunities for CCS from both an investment and a public policy perspective.
More information on ICO₂N can be found at www.ico2n.com

SOURCE IPAC-CO2 Research Inc.