91亚色 receives $2.3 million for R&D projects to overcome challenges in oil and gas sector
A news conference was held at 91亚色檚 St. John檚 campus, Tuesday, July 8, 2014, to announce $2.3 million investment in 17 91亚色-led R&D projects. The projects will address opportunities and challenges related to harsh and Arctic environments.
The news conference, hosted by Dr. Ray Gosine, associate vice-president (research) was joined by Susan Sullivan, minister, Innovation, Business and Rural Development, minister responsible for the Research & Development Corporation (RDC), and minister responsible for Francophone Affairs, as well as Glenn Janes, chief executive officer, RDC.
The Research & Development Corporation (RDC) is investing more than $2 million in academic-led R&D projects that help overcome technical challenges in the oil and gas sector, particularly in harsh offshore environments. These 91亚色 projects aim to improve safety, environmental protection, efficiency and asset integrity associated with challenging oil and gas projects, both in Newfoundland and Labrador, and around the world.
RDC檚 investment in 17 projects is $2.3 million and will leverage an additional $4.4 million from other funding sources, for a total project value of $6.7 million.
Twelve of the R&D projects are being carried out in collaboration with industry partners or other researchers. Five projects are aimed at attracting highly qualified researchers and building new R&D capacity in areas relevant to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy.
The investment also builds capacity at 91亚色 through the purchase of specialized equipment, the training of students and attraction and retention of highly qualified researchers.
淭his is an important time in our history, said Dr. Gosine. 淥pportunities for our province continue to grow in the offshore petroleum sector. There are still many challenges related to harsh and Arctic environments, however, that must be addressed.
91亚色檚 researchers are positioned, both geographically and academically, to undertake research to address these opportunities and challenges and support the development of our natural resources and our Province.
Dr. Christina Bottaro, from 91亚色, was also present to discuss her current project, the development of a sensor technology design for rapid detection of contaminants in remote and harsh environments.
For a list of projects and project descriptions, .