Alberta has some of the most advanced and skilled drilling expertise in the world. Yet, unlike the United States, Japan and other countries, Canada does not currently have an open-access test site, which is critical for spurring innovation and leading-edge drilling technologies the world needs, such as geothermal, lithium, oil and natural gas.
To help fill this gap, Alberta’s government will invest up to $50 million from the industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program to support the Alberta Drilling Accelerator through a public-private partnership model. Funding will help create Canada’s first open-access, technology-agnostic, industry-led hub, leveraging Alberta’s unrivalled drilling expertise to develop the technologies needed to reduce emissions, create jobs and deliver energy to the world.
“What we’re doing here today is setting the stage for innovation and prosperity far into the future. The Alberta Drilling Accelerator means big things for oil and gas exploration in our province, but also for industries that will be vital for achieving our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. We are setting the stage for innovation and prosperity, pushing Alberta’s drilling expertise to places it’s never been before.”
“The Alberta Drilling Accelerator will take Alberta’s expertise from oil and gas to help us become the global leader in drilling innovation for industries like geothermal, to critical minerals. These learnings can help us continue to meet rising global and national energy demands here and around the world, while increasing efficiency and reducing our environmental footprint.”
In April, Alberta’s government invested $750,000 to help kick-start this project, supporting a feasibility study facilitated by Calgary-based Eavor Technologies in partnership with the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors and Canadian Geothermal Energy Association. The initial findings suggest that creating an industry-led Alberta Drilling Accelerator is both economically and environmentally viable. The accelerator would allow companies to test and develop drilling techniques and technologies, accelerating geothermal, helium, critical minerals, carbon capture and other industries relying on the drilling sector.
“Alberta has the resources and expertise to become a world leader in geothermal innovation. The Alberta Drilling Accelerator will be a beacon for collaboration and the development of made-in-Alberta geothermal technologies that advance global energy security and carbon neutrality.”
Notably, several industry leaders have already expressed strong interest in serving as anchor tenants, including Calgary-based Eavor Technologies, Tourmaline Oil Corp and international oilfield service supermajor Halliburton. While no binding contracts have been signed, tens of millions of dollars in private sector capital investment could potentially be secured.
“Halliburton has 70 years of experience in geothermal and a strong legacy of innovation in drilling technology. We are very proud to support the Alberta Drilling Accelerator because we believe the best, most innovative solutions come through collaboration. The Alberta Drilling Accelerator will not only cement the region’s place as a global leader in geothermal commercialization, but enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impacts and strengthen Alberta's leadership in sustainable energy solutions.”
“Tourmaline is focused on implementing technology to improve performance and reduce emissions across our drilling operations. We’re pleased to support the Alberta Drilling Accelerator in further advancing the province’s leadership in responsible natural resource production.”
“We are pleased to see the support for a forward-thinking initiative like the Alberta Drilling Accelerator, which will enable our members to build on what is already the most advanced drilling fleet in the world. Not only will the accelerator help advance oil and gas production, but it will also expand our capacity to extract geothermal energy and critical minerals. Our industry is at the forefront of Canada's energy evolution, and it's our skilled workforce and innovative technologies that will help secure a more diverse energy future.”
The Alberta Drilling Accelerator could potentially start drilling in 2026, or sooner. Once operational, the Alberta Drilling Accelerator could help speed up the development of geothermal, helium, critical minerals, carbon capture, utilization and storage and other technologies and commodities that rely on Alberta’s world-class drilling expertise.
Quick facts
- Demand for new and more efficient technologies is rising globally, and Alberta is well-positioned to capitalize. For example, cumulative geothermal investment is poised to reach $1 trillion by 2050, while investments for oil and gas, carbon capture and storage and other sectors continue to grow.
- The Alberta Drilling Accelerator is intended to be an open-access, technology-agnostic program and capable of testing drilling in challenging environments, including deep depths, high temperatures and varying rock types.
- All funding to the Alberta Drilling Accelerator is conditional upon grant agreements being finalized.