STEPS Dashboard

STEPS is short for Sustainable Technologies for Energy Production Systems. The Government of Canada acknowledged the PTRC’s research excellence in the area of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and in 2009 awarded $10.5 million over four years to expand and enhance the existing EOR program. The expanded funding was meant to increase research focus on reducing water use and emissions from oil and gas, while improving energy efficiencies.  A total of 234 projects were awarded to several organization such as Saskatchewan Research Council, University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, University of Calgary, Perm Inc. and University of Alberta.

STEPS research focused on different type of EOR themes and technical approaches. Research on cold heavy oil production with sand (CHOPS), solvent vapour extraction, PVT modeling, in-situ combustion, steam extraction, waterflooding, chemical flooding, CO₂ flooding, microbial flooding, and electrical heating were among the many areas that were investigated. Objectives of the STEPS program were to improve the recovery of heavy oil, particularly in the Lloydminster region, with fewer environmental impacts. The research program contributed to training a substantial number of highly qualified personnel.  This dashboard provides a big picture summary of the STEPS research projects, allows visitors to learn more about the program and is a great tool to review key metrices.