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The University of Alberta and Imperial Oil Limited announced
late last month that the company will contribute $10 million
over the next five years to establish a new research facility,
the Imperial Oil Centre for Oil Sands Innovation. It is the
largest investment ever made by Imperial in a university,
and the largest single corporate cash commitment ever received
by the university’s Faculty of Engineering.
Administered by the faculty, the centre will strive to find
more efficient, economically viable, and environmentally responsible
ways to develop Canada's oilsands resources — one of
the largest crude oil deposits in the world.
R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, acknowledged
the collaboration between Imperial Oil and the University
of Alberta. “The Imperial Oil Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
is an excellent example of cooperation between the private
sector and the academic community that can help us meet our
economic and environmental goals,” he says in a U of
A news release.
“The Government of Canada is committed to the sustainable
development of our natural resources, and it’s only
through researching and commercializing innovative new energy
technologies that we will achieve this.”
“The Government of Alberta has long been committed
to investing in innovation and new technology, not only in
oilsands development, but also in clean energy research,"
said the Hon. Victor Doerksen, Alberta Minister of Innovation
and Science. "This new centre will build on the good
work being done in this sector and help to ensure the sustainability
of our oilsands and heavy oil industry."
At a gathering of industry representatives, government officials,
and engineering researchers in Edmonton, Tim J. Hearn, Imperial
chairman, president and CEO, emphasized the strong link between
science and technology with business and environmental improvement.
“For Imperial, this contribution is an investment in
Canadian education and intellectual capacity to develop a
vital energy resource, both economically and with care for
the environment.”
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