The initiative builds on the work of a previous GAPP project in which genomics data and results were compared with petroleum geochemistry data to paint the clearest picture yet of petroleum deposits in areas of Nova Scotia’s offshore. The current project, involving the same team, aims to identify and characterize methane seeps on the ocean floor, which provide insights ito the seafloor ecosystem and the geological processes that shape it – vital information for offshore energy exploration and clean energy development.
‘Omics project takes de-risking N.S.’s offshore to next phase
For Immediate Release – July 24, 2019
Halifax, NS – A major new initiative that adds genomics technologies to traditional geoscience aims to reduce the risk for oil exploration in Nova Scotia’s offshore.
The $6.5 million project, Validation and Integration of Genomics Solutions for Offshore Oil Exploration in Nova Scotia and Beyond, was announced today by the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, as one of 20 projects across Canada awarded through Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP). Other major project partners include the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines; the Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada; Research Nova Scotia; Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Research Association (OERA); Mitacs Canada; Applied Petroleum Technology (APT); the University of Calgary; and Saint Mary’s University.
The initiative builds on the work of a previous GAPP project in which genomics data and results were compared with petroleum geochemistry data to paint the clearest picture yet of petroleum deposits in areas of Nova Scotia’s offshore. The project announced today, involving the same team, will take that work to the next level by delivering high resolution tools and maps developed with the help of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), advanced ‘omics technologies and machine learning.
Looking good: initial results published on research to de-risk offshore oil and gas exploration
December 2020
Specialized microbes, that don’t require oxygen, have been discovered feeding on hydrocarbons seeping from underlying geology in the deep sediments of the Scotian Slope, in Nova Scotia’s offshore.
As well, microbial communities – diverse groups of microorganisms that inhabit a common living space – in the examined sediments have been shown to vary according to the type of available energy or food sources found at different depths.
These findings by a multi-disciplinary project team, supported by Genome Atlantic and Genome Alberta, have stirred excitement that the group is on the right track. Currently they are on a three-year $6.5 million mission, funded, in part, by Genome Canada’s Genomics Applications Partnership Program, to help reduce the financial risk of offshore oil and gas exploration. They are using microbial genomics – the study and identification of bacteria via their DNA – in an attempt to characterize the nature of petroleum deposits close to seeps in the seabed.
Genome Atlantic gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through Genome Canada, as well as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the provincial governments of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
Genome Atlantic is one of 7 Genome Centres in Canada that are part of the Genome Canada Enterprise. This network encourages collaboration, with each centre focusing on the needs of their respective regions.
Site Navigation
WE FOCUS ON CLIENT LED SOLUTIONS.
BRING US AND IDEA AND WE’LL HELP YOU GET IT INTO ACTION.
WE FOCUS ON CLIENT LED SOLUTIONS.
BRING US AND IDEA AND WE’LL HELP YOU GET IT INTO ACTION.
