Wireless, Telecommunications and e-Business Technology Forum**

CDOX Pilot Update

Asset Management and Tracking TIS*

2002 Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Technology Conference and Tradeshow - May 22-24, 2002

2002 Environmental Forum

ERAC (Environmental Research Advisory Council) 2002 Projects

Moorhead NanoVapour TIS*

Luscar Bioremediation TIS*

ARC Multiphase Meter Testing JIP Update

4th Annual Coalbed Methane Conference -Call for Presentations

SPRI R&D Initiatives TIS*

TORR (Total Oil Remediation and Recovery) TIS*

Pinnacle Fracture Diagnostics TIS*

CTTA Canadian Technology Transfer Agent

PTAC and Climate Change Central are partnering to coordinate this conference to be held in Calgary, May 22-24, 2002. Economical climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) technology solutions for oil and gas, oil sands, coal, mining, pipeline and petrochemical industries in Western Canada will be featured in half-day sessions focused on particular topics for specific industry sectors.

At this event, information will be presented on implementing climate change, GHG technologies and related projects to improve financial and environmental performance. Corporate planners/decision makers, technical staff and technology solution providers in the oil and gas, oil sands, coal, mining, pipeline and petrochemical industries will find this conference valuable. Participants will hear how available technologies and projects will assist organizations to improve their performance and environmental objectives in 1-3 year time frames.

Visit our web site at www.ptac.org/techenvf.html for more information, or please contact –

The 2002 Environmental Research and Technology Development (R&D) Forum for the upstream oil and gas industry held on January 30-31 was well attended this year – over 200 people participated. This forum focused on issues of concern to industry, regulators, researchers and the public and included 32 presentations over two days in the areas of Air Issues, Soil and Ground-water, and Ecological Integrity.

For more information or to obtain copies of the presentations, visit PTAC’s web site at www.ptac.org/techenvf.html or please contact –

The Environmental Research Advisory Council (ERAC) funds practical, science-based projects providing solutions to environ-mental challenges. ERAC launches peer-reviewed studies under the guidance of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) through PTAC. Throughout 2002, ERAC projects will be featured in the PTAC newsletter. This month’s topics include: grizzly bear research, recently released Canadian standards for Petroleum Hydrocarbons (PHCs) in soil, and the third phase of an environmentally acceptable endpoints study for PHCs.

For more information on ERAC projects, please contact –

This new map product is being tested to determine its utility in defining important grizzly bear habitat. Additional research will delineate and update seismic lines within the study area, and model how bears move across the landscape between important habitat patches.

The integrated research team is analyzing extremely large and complex data sets to see how grizzly bears respond to human activities in grizzly bear habitat. The results of this research will provide land and resource managers with new tools to knowledgeably make land use management decisions which allow for the needs of grizzly bears.

This research program is in its final two years, and with the ongoing support of its current and new program sponsors, the researchers will meet their objectives.

For full details on this project and how you can participate, please visit www.fmf.ab.ca, or contact –

In June 2001, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) released the new Canada-wide Tier 1 Standards for petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) in soils. These standards serve as soil quality criteria to manage site soils contaminated with PHCs.

The purpose of this project is to provide the foundation for a framework for the site-specific development of Tier 2 soil contact remedial standards for PHC-contaminated sites.

The project is divided into two phases. Phase 1 comprehensively reviews the existing literature, with relevant literature summarized along with the implications for a Tier 2 assessment. Phase 2 of the study involves the development of guidelines.

The resulting report could serve as a foundation for the development of a cost effective mechanism to move to Tier 2 from Tier 1 in the event that Tier 1 screening levels for PHCs are exceeded for the soil contact exposure pathway.

For more detailed information on this project please visit PTAC’s web site at www.ptac.org/techenvp.html.

For more information on this study, please contact –

In 1998, a research project entitled, "Fraction-specific Toxicity and Derivation of Recommended Soil Quality Guidelines for Protection of Environmental Health for Crude Oil in Agricultural Soils" was initiated. Phase 1 of the research focused on fraction-specific toxicity testing of fresh crude oil with a standardized battery of terrestrial toxicity tests, and identification of the toxic interactions of the fractions relative to the whole mixture. Results of Phase 1 were used extensively by CCME to develop the fraction-based Canada-wide standards for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil released in December 2000.

The objective of Phase 2 studies was to evaluate the toxicity of crude oil to plants, soil fauna, soil microbial activity and decomposition/nutrient cycling processes in coarse and fine-grained soil in the field, with the goal of validating the results of the laboratory bioassays conducted in Phase 1.

Phase 3 will include additional field monitoring for 2002. These measurements will constitute the final phase of the "Environmentally Acceptable Endpoint Project." Results of all three phases will be used by CCME and Alberta Environment to develop guidelines for crude oil residuals in coarse and fine-grained soils at both Tier I and II levels. The database generated by this study will form the foundation of a more cost-effective and environmentally acceptable approach to clean-up of oil contaminated sites.

For more information on this project, please contact –

The Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC) held an information session in February, co-sponsored by Nexen Inc., to propose a continuation of the Joint Industry Project (JIP) to promote VAPEX field pilots in Saskatchewan and Alberta heavy oil. Ninety-five attendees heard plans described for a VAPEX pilot at Plover Lake (in reservoir depleted by wormhole production) as a result of the initial 12-participant JIP work conducted by eight research, engineering and economics organizations.

The geology of the Plover Lake reservoir, the presence of wormholes in the reservoir and the propane diffusion mechanisms make for a complex project. In West Central Saskatchewan, a large resource base existing in reservoirs similar to the Plover Lake field would benefit from the successful implementation of this technology.

Nexen is soliciting third party participation in the project, funding from the Federal Government through NRCan and Saskatchewan royalty tax credits through the SPRI program. Nexen is hoping that, with collaborative efforts from other oil companies, research facilities, and government, they can bring VAPEX one step closer to commercial development.

The proposed one-year continuation will focus on improving the predictability of VAPEX application in primary depleted heavy oil and initiation of additional pilots. The project addresses the engineering and economics related to VAPEX recovery in heavy oil reservoirs.

Interested participants met in March to detail the work program and to launch the project. Additional participants are welcome.

To participate in this project, please contact –

Roland Moberg
Director of PTRC
phone: (306) 787-8290
Roland.Moberg@sk.sympatico.ca or –

The CTTA is hosting a Frontier Drilling Waste Management Forum Monday, May 13, 2002 at the Roundup Centre in Calgary.

At this Forum, information will be presented that reflects the current status on Criteria and Regulations, Current Status on Disposal Options, Drilling Regulations in Alaska, Aboriginal Community Issues and Guide 50 as they pertain to Frontier drilling waste management. Forum speakers will also review current practices, case studies, new technology and success stories in Frontier Drilling Waste Management. There will be an opportunity for panel discussions and questions pertaining to the presentations and other Drilling Waste Management issues.

This forum will provide opportunities to:

• Hear presentations from CAPP, NEB, ADEC, DIAND and AEUB on current issues and regulations in regards to Frontier Drilling Waste Management
• Listen to non-proprietary presentations regarding Frontier Drilling Waste Management technology, case studies, research and practices
• Discuss regulations and standardization
• Provide input on future technology and research needs
• Participate in Q&A discussions
• Network with your peers

To register or to obtain additional information, please visit PTAC’s web site at www.ptac.org/techdrlf.html or contact –

Despite wintry weather conditions, 145 registrants participated in the Cost Reductions in E&P Operations Using Wireless, Telecommunications and e-Business Technology Forum in March 2002. PTAC thanks partners TELUS Mobility, Chimo Equipment Ltd., Industry Canada and Pandell Technology Corporation for their support.

The first of three forums planned for this year focused on operations, featuring 15 presentations on how the oil and gas industry can use wireless technology today to improve financial performance.

Rich Couillard of VerticalBuilder delivered the keynote address entitled, "Today’s Oil and Gas Industry: the Challenges and the Expanding Role for Communication Technologies." Ken Hughes of AXIA SuperNet Ltd., spoke on "Beating the Bandwidth Bottleneck: Update on Alberta’s SuperNet."

Other presentations included:

• Wireless IP – Data and Voice Communications
• Wireless Technology for Cost Reduction in Oil and Gas Producing Operations
• Syncrude UE1 Collaboration with Vertical Builder: e-business grows into c-business

Visit PTAC’s web site at www.ptac.org/techebuf.html to view the evaluation and feedback summary and unmet needs identified at the forum.

The second forum in the series is in the planning stages, with a planning meeting set for late April at PTAC. Feedback received from the March forum will shape the direction of the next event.

If you are interested in making a presentation on wireless, telecommunications or e-business solutions for the next forum, please email an executive summary to Arlene Merling of PTAC at , along with your co-sponsor’s name, brief bio, presentation’s title, company name, and your fit into the wireless, telecommunications and e-business picture.

All presentations must be co-sponsored by a producer or end-user who reviews the presentation and is willing to verify this technology, product or service has merit and is worthy of consideration by the oil and gas industry.

If you are interested in corporate partnership, co-sponsorship or tradeshow booth opportunities, please contact –

The members of the Crude Oil Document Exchange (CDOX) pilot project have made substantial progress since their first meeting held in November 2001. The group agreed on an XML standard for Form A, Form C and Notice of Shipment and is close to finishing standards for the Shipper’s Balance and Shipper’s Position.

The group finalized security and many other technical concerns. With specifications now in place, development is proceeding on the exchange for Form A and Form C. WellPoint’s software for oil marketing and pipeline and terminal management was also modified to adhere to these standards.

CDOX testing is expected to take place at some pilot project members’ offices during April and early May. Once testing is completed, the exchange of Form A and Form C information will be in production at several of the pilot project company sites. At that time, WellPoint will welcome additional companies to participate in the crude oil document exchange.

To participate or for more information on CDOX, please contact –

PTAC will host a booth at the Convergence 2002 IT Conference and Technology Exposition at the Roundup Centre May 14-16. Convergence 2002 is Western Canada’s premiere commercial opportunity for IT and technology companies to exhibit, present and sell their products and services. Delegates to the IT conference will experience cutting-edge workshops and seminars from industry leaders and experts.

For more information, please visit www.converge2002.com or contact –

The COURSE (Coordination of University Research for Synergy and Effectiveness) review panel met in February 2002 to consider 50 applications from the January 2002 competition to allocate $3M in government research funding.

Applications received covered the following research topics: fuel cells (3); plant operations (4); oil sands mining (4); environmental (12); electricity generation (1); extraction (1); tailings ponds (1); upgrading (2); oil/gas pipelines (3); service industry and seismic (3); heavy oil (7); conventional oil/gas and EOR (5); coalbed methane (1); petrochemicals (1); hydrates (1); and market power (1).

A review panel made up of four AERI research managers, six university representatives and 10 industry representatives recommended 17 projects for approval with a total value of approximately $5.4M including industry and in-kind funding.

For more information on COURSE projects, please contact –

Alberta Research Council (ARC) held two consecutive industry information meetings for 93 registrants in February 2002 on ARC’s Enhanced Gas and Oil Recovery (EGOR) program. EGOR began in 2001 as a five year research and technology development program focused on Gas Flooding, Primary and Secondary Oil Recovery, and Enhanced Natural Gas Production. Presenters at the two sessions reviewed EGOR’s current research and objectives and held an open forum to invite suggestions for new potential projects from the audience.

Current research projects include:

These research projects have already enjoyed success from laboratory testing to field applications.

For more information on ARC’s EGOR program, please contact –

A group of producers are currently reviewing Alberta Research Council’s draft agreement on the Joint Industry Project on Multiphase Meter Testing. This JIP is timely for these producers, who are all are embarking on new construction at the end of this year for thermal recovery facilities.

In addition to the producer participants, four equipment suppliers will also be involved in the pilot project, which intends to test multiphase flow meters at temperatures around 220 degrees C.

ARC hopes to have the project under way by mid-to-late May, and completed by the end of this year.

For further information on how you can participate in ARC’s multiphase meter testing joint industry project, please contact –

The CTTA is currently soliciting presentations and speakers for the 4th Annual Coalbed Methane Conference scheduled October 23-25, 2002 in Calgary, Alberta. Relevant presentations will cover current and upcoming technology, success stories, challenges, regulations, and current practices in Coalbed Methane and unconventional gas.

The 3rd Annual Coalbed Methane Conference was held in Calgary in October 2001. Over 400 participants attended the conference and heard more than 40 presentations. A keynote dinner was attended by 200 delegates along with the Ministers of Energy from Alberta and British Columbia.

All presentations must be co-sponsored by a producer or end-user who reviews the presentation and is willing to verify this technology, product or service has merit and is worthy of consideration by the oil and gas industry.

If you are interested in making a presentation at this conference, please submit a short abstract along with your contact information no later than June 3, 2002. The abstract can be emailed to or faxed to (403) 920-0054.

For more information, please contact –

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