STEPS Research Program

Since 1998, the Petroleum Technology Research Centre has managed its Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) research program, providing leading-edge technology and innovation for our public and private sector partners.  In January of 2009, that research excellence was acknowledged when the Canadian Federal Government, through its Networks of Centres of Excellence program, awarded the PTRC $10.5 million to significantly expand and enhance the existing enhanced oil recovery research.  The Government of Saskatchewan also increased its already substantial, on-going financial support of PTRC's EOR research, and “Sustainable Technologies for Energy Production Systems” – STEPS – was born.

WHAT IS STEPS?

Through research, development and demonstration of advanced technologies, the STEPS business-led network of centres of excellence aims to become the national focus for leading-edge scientific and engineering innovations that address hydrocarbon energy production sustainability challenges for "Saskatchewan-like" resources that are difficult to access and monetize. 

STEPS will achieve its mission by leveraging the necessary talents from different centres of excellence, nationally and internationally.  STEPS’ foundation will be Saskatchewan’s enhanced oil recovery RD&D capacity, which the PTRC has already been instrumental in establishing with the collaboration of industry, research organizations, universities and governments.