Released on October 2, 2000
Advanced research on finding new ways to get more oil out of Saskatchewan's oil
pools in an environmentally and economically sustainable way, gets a kick-start
with the opening of the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC).
The $11 million, Regina-based centre employs 50 scientists and graduate
students who work on environmentally and economically sustainable ways of
enhancing the production and value of oil resources in Saskatchewan, the rest
of Canada and throughout the world. By bringing together researchers from the
Saskatchewan Research Council and the University of Regina under one roof, the
PTRC will gain synergy and efficiency in completing research.
Participating in today's official opening were Premier Roy Romanow, Natural
Resources Canada Minister Ralph Goodale, Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative
Development Minister Janice MacKinnon, Saskatchewan Energy and Mines Minister
Eldon Lautermilch, University of Regina President Dr. David Barnard, PTRC Chair
Frank Proto and Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers President Pierre
Alvarez.
During the ceremony, Romanow, Goodale, Barnard and the other dignitaries
officially opened the building by unveiling a bronze plaque and encasing a time
capsule into the building's stone entrance wall.
"This new centre is a symbol of Saskatchewan's commitment to the research and
development that is shaping our new knowledge-driven economy," Romanow said.
"We're pleased to contribute through the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic
Partnership Agreement to a facility that creates jobs for our best and
brightest researchers, builds new synergies among them, and most important,
helps strengthen a sector of our economy in which we nationally shine."
"By developing innovative, world-leading technology so the oil industry can
take full advantage of Saskatchewan's unique oil resources, this facility will
provide economic benefits to Saskatchewan and to Canada," Goodale said. "We
are stretching Saskatchewan's horizons to better position this province and its
people in the knowledge-based and technology-driven global economy."
The centre received $6 million in capital funding as the first project under
the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA), which is
administered by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Saskatchewan
Economic and Co-operative Development. The Saskatchewan Opportunities
Corporation (SOCO), the developer of the Regina Research Park, contributed the
remaining $5 million in capital costs toward construction and it now owns the
building, which is leased out to the partners.
"Western Economic Diversification is pleased to be participating in this
project through the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership
Agreement," Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification Ron J.
Duhamel said. "The centre strengthens the west's position in the national and
international research and development arena. It provides an excellent
opportunity for federal and provincial governments to partner with the private
sector, which has been very supportive. We're adding another building block to
our economic infrastructure through knowledge-based innovation."
The 60,800 sq. ft. facility is located in the Regina Research Park, a
development of the Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation (SOCO) located
immediately south of the university campus.
The building was designed with assistance from Natural Resources Canada's
(NRCan) C-2000 program. The building uses one-third less energy than
conventionally-built facilities and it meets high standards of environmental
impact, indoor air quality and comfort targets. Funding of approximately
$100,000 was provided for the building's energy efficient design, technologies
and practices from NRCan's Commercial Buildings Incentive Program and C-2000
Program.
Five-year operating funding of $5 million has been committed by NRCan and $1
million has been committed by Saskatchewan Energy and Mines. The provincial
government has also contributed $7 million through funding to the Saskatchewan
Research Council and up to $2.5 million through support from the Saskatchewan
Petroleum Research Incentive.
"The PTRC provides the University of Regina with a wonderful opportunity for
both our faculty and students. Our faculty will be working at the leading edge
of petroleum research that can be exported throughout the world. Our students
will study with world-class faculty and researchers," Barnard said.
The centre is run by a 13-member Board of Directors, chaired by retired Wascana
Energy President Frank Proto. Six members of the board represent
Saskatchewan's petroleum industry.
"Industry linkages hold the key to the PTRC's success and strong industry
guidance and support will ensure that research activities have practical
applications and ultimately provide significant economic benefits to the people
of Saskatchewan," Proto said.
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For more information, contact:
Roland Moberg, General Manager, Pat Breton, Press Secretary
PTRC Natural Resources Canada
Phone: (306) 787-8290 Phone: (613) 996-2007
Frank Proto, Chair Malcolm Wilson, Director, Energy Development
PTRC Branch
Phone: (306) 565-0336 Energy and Mines
Phone: (306) 787-2618
