CALGARY, AB (April 9, 2024): NGIF Accelerator continues to lead efforts in methane mitigation through extensive testing work through its technology and innovation programs. Specifically, through its Emissions Testing Centre (ETC) program, it enabled the field testing of vehicle-mounted methane emissions monitoring technology developed by Vertex Resource Group Ltd. (Vertex) and Eosense.
The test was done at the ETC program host site, the West Wolf Lake Gas Plant, jointly owned by Tourmaline Oil and Perpetual Energy. The testing has delivered key information to inform the integration of this sensor into future fugitive emissions management programs.
Vertex, an Edmonton, Alberta-based provider of emissions measuring solutions and services, conceptualized the eosEM system, which was built by Eosense, a Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, environmental gas monitoring instrument provider. The eosEM methane emissions monitoring system was mounted on Vertex liquids’ hauling transport truck, which, as part of its normal operational routine, traverses sites regulated under Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) Directive 060. The goal of the Vertex-Eosense truck-mounted methane emissions monitoring project is to evaluate the effectiveness of this emissions monitoring approach.
The project has two phases. Phase 1 evaluated the eosEM methane emission monitoring system at the host site. The methane sensor was installed on a Tourmaline vehicle that routinely drove around the site. The data collected from the eosEM sensor was compared to existing sensors and metered vents that were present at the host site as part of the ETC program.
Phase 2 involved mounting the sensor on a Vertex liquids transport truck that services a second Tourmaline gas plant in the Hinton area. Good agreement has been seen between vehicle-mounted sensors and site sensors. The transport truck-mounted sensor can estimate relative methane levels and highlight areas at the site that might need further investigation.
The comparison between the data collected by the sensor mounted on the operator pickup truck and the data collected by the sensor mounted on the Vertex transport truck was used to modify a data processing algorithm to enable a transport truck-mounted sensor. Testing data also revealed the vehicle mounting method was unsuitable for extreme cold conditions and would need modification.
The next steps in this work will include a larger deployment of instruments across additional routes, seasons, and geographic areas.
Image: Eosense’s eosEM mounted on a truck
“Together with our partners, Perpetual Energy, Tourmaline, Natural Resources Canada, and the University of Calgary, we have created an unprecedented opportunity with our program for substantial reductions in methane emissions,” said John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator. “Eosense was able to leverage our program that creates operating data for their technology that can be shared with both future customers and potential investors.”
Nick Nickerson, President, Eosense, notes, “With NGIF Accelerator and Tourmaline’s support, we are not just advancing emissions monitoring; we are contributing to Canada’s reputation as a global leader in clean natural gas production.”
“Canadians want and need the affordable, reliable, clean energy service offering they have come to expect from the natural gas industry. When we created NGIF, it was our vision to bring the entire natural gas value chain together to support cleantech development that enhances environmental and economic performance for the sector. I am glad to see our vision in action as its Accelerator program continues to validate technologies like Eosense’s eosEM,” said Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association and Chair, NGIF Capital Corporation.
The public-facing reports from the Emissions Testing Centre program users are accessible via www.cerinprojects.ca.
About the Emissions Testing Centre Program
The ETC Program is a collaborative industry, government, and academia initiative headed by the NGIF Accelerator, providing startups with a dedicated space to develop, test, and field-validate technologies to measure, monitor, and reduce methane emissions. The program is unique by providing technology innovators with free-to-test access to support a rapid scale-up of technologies from concept to commercial-ready deployment. The ETC lab at the University of Calgary provides capabilities to test and de-risk technologies in a controlled environment, complemented by live field trials at the West Wolf Lake Gas Plant (jointly owned by Tourmaline Oil Corp. and Perpetual Energy) along with other Tourmaline assets.
About NGIF Accelerator
NGIF Accelerator is the not-for-profit arm of NGIF Capital and operates all technology and innovation programs. The NGIF Accelerator mandate is to de-risk and accelerate technology development by supporting startups through their pilot projects, field trials, and industry validation. It will coordinate with federal and provincial governments to co-fund projects to advance market commercialization. NGIF Accelerator currently operates the Industry Grants program and the Emissions Testing Centre program.
About Eosense
Eosense is a Canadian SME that develops monitoring instruments that enable scientists and engineers to measure environmental gas flux and concentration, helping industry and academia measure and visualize greenhouse gases to better manage climate change impacts.
About Vertex
Vertex excels in emissions measurement and field services while also providing comprehensive solutions for the oil and gas industry’s fluid handling needs. With a focus on efficiency and environmental stewardship, Vertex’s innovative approach supports clients in achieving regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
About Canadian Gas Association
The Canadian Gas Association (CGA) is the voice of Canada’s gaseous energy delivery industry, including natural gas, renewable natural gas (RNG), and hydrogen. CGA membership includes energy distribution and transmission companies, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers of goods and services to the industry.
Media Information:
John Adams
President and CEO, NGIF Accelerator
President and CEO, NGIF Capital Corporation
(613)-748-0057
jadams@ngif.ca
Ayoola Ajibare
Communications Coordinator, NGIF Capital Corporation
(403)-389-2212
aajibare@ngif.ca
