What's New

• Advances in Canada's R&D tax credit program - presentation December 11, 2006

Drilling Cycle Optimization

The Western Canada Drilling Cycle Optimization Study, released in June 2003, examines why seismic and drilling activity is more predominant during the first quarter of each year in western Canada, as opposed to being more evenly distributed throughout the year. The study was jointly commissioned by PSAC, the Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractors (CAGC), the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC), the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the Alberta and BC governments.

To follow up that first study, Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) has developed a business case for year-round drilling. The "Drilling Seasonal Load Levelling Business Case" provides financial data and examples to prove how load levelling can decrease operating, recruiting and training costs, and improve efficiencies and safety.

More information on the load levelling business case is at: www.ptac.org/drl/drlr0401.html
PTAC and PSAC also collaborated on another study: Spudding Innovation -- Accelerating Technology Deployment in Natural Gas and Conventional Oil.

Government Initiatives

• Alberta Innovative Energy Technology Program (Alberta Energy)
• Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program (Canada Revenue Agency)