Technological advancement for partial upgrading of bitumen (PUB) - Evaluating the synergetic effects of a new catalytic co-pyrolysis process utilizing Alberta’s Oil Sands and Biomass

Christopher G. Moser, P.Eng. M.GENI

 Research Abstract

 The global energy system is undergoing unprecedented change with a focus on reducing greenhouse gases (GHG’s) while producing affordable, secure, and clean energy. Developing a clean and secure energy system will contribute to significant socio-economic benefits to Albertans and all Canadians. The Government of Alberta has set a priority on the technological advancement of partial upgrading of bitumen (PUB) and the development of a hydrogen economy. To support the advancement of PUB technology the Alberta Partial Upgrading Program was announced with an objective of full-scale plans coming into operation by 2026 (Gray, 2019). In addition, on October 6th, 2020 the Government of Alberta also released the Natural Gas Vision and Strategy which identified five pillars of growth: petrochemicals, plastics recycling, intra-province industry demand, liquefied natural gas, and hydrogen (Alberta Energy, 2020). Hydrogen and a bio-synthetic oil are two byproducts of the pyrolysis process. The purpose of this research is to assess the synergetic results of a new catalytic co-pyrolysis process utilizing Alberta’s oil sands and biomass as feedstock. 

“We would like to acknowledge NAIT’s Technology Access Centre for Oil Sands Sustainabilty for the applied research support they provided for our research innovation. Their expertise is helping us bring our ideas and innovations to reality” - Chris Moser, President

Completed Policy Research Papers

Is Adaptive Co-Management a Strategic Technique for Canada’s Transportation 2030 Policy Planning?

Chris G. Moser, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy

Introduction

The Government of Canada is currently developing public policy improvements to the long-term transportation strategic planning, environmental, and regulatory review systems within the country. These initiatives aim to create innovative solutions to support job creation, economic growth, and Canada’s middle class (Transport Canada, 2016). For many years, the Government of Canada has published the intent to respect the environment and adhere to principles of sustainable development (Bone, 2012; Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 2009). However, the existing planning, assessment, and review systems were not structured to efficiently allow this intent to occur in practise. Recognizing the problems inherent to the existing systems, both the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced a full review and transition to change the regulatory review and environmental assessment systems (Government of Canada, 2017). Additionally, the Minister of Transportation announced a new vision for Canada’s national transportation system, titled Transportation 2030 (Transport Canada, 2016). Transportation 2030 will focus on five themes during the process: the traveller; safer transportation; green and innovative transportation; waterways, coasts, and the North; and trade corridors to global markets (Transport Canada, 2016). These five guiding themes will influence the changes made to the national transportation system. This transportation policy research paper has two main objectives: firstly, to define the concept of northern and Indigenous areas within Canada; secondly, to demonstrate how adaptive co-management is a strategic technique for Canada’s Transportation 2030 public policy planning. To achieve these objectives, this paper begins by first providing a brief overview of collaborative and adaptive management and then introducing the governance methodology of adaptive co-management. After addressing the limitations of adaptive co- management as a governance methodology, the paper investigates the current Canadian landscape defining a key concept of northern and Indigenous areas. Subsequently, the paper discusses the degree to which adaptive co-management is a strategic technique for Canada’s national transportation public policy planning. Finally, the paper provides a summary to the subjects addressed in the previous sections. Transport Canada should consider a collaborative partnership uniting all stakeholders impacted by the activities related to the Transportation 2030 policy planning. (To read the rest of this paper please send us a request in the form below)

The Northern Corridor Concept: A Connector Road from Northern Saskatchewan (La Loche, SK) to the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (Fort McMurray, AB)

Chris G. Moser, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy

Executive Summary

The purpose of this research paper is to make recommendations on the construction of an all-weather connector road between northern Saskatchewan (La Loche, SK) and the Athabasca Oil Sands region (Fort McMurray, AB), based upon the perspective of the elected leaders living in northwest Saskatchewan. The scope of this all-weather connector road is interprovincial; therefore, continued collaboration is critical as success will require coordination among the municipal, provincial, federal, and Indigenous governments. In this report, I make several recommendations to the northern municipalities, regional representative associations, and the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade, and Commerce to sustainably govern the interprovincial northern corridor right-of-way research, initial planning, funding, and development. Memorandum of Intent and Cooperation agreements between all rightsholders should be established to recommence advocating for this interprovincial connector road. The research found that the Indigenous traditional territory and kinship relationships that cross through provincial geopolitical jurisdictions is fundamental to incorporate into northern transportation and infrastructure strategies. This research paper may be used as a tool to once again promote the socio-economic value of the proposed connector road and potentially other northern corridor right-of-way projects. (To read the rest of this paper please send us a request in the form below)

Connections – The Canadian Northern Corridor: A Catalyst for Socio-Economic Development in the Provincial North

Christopher G. Moser, P.Eng. Master thesis in Governance and Entrepreneurship in Northern and Indigenous Areas

Abstract

The Mid-Canada Corridor and, more recently, the Canadian Northern Corridor is the creation of a new east-west multi-modal (road, railway, pipeline, communication, and electrical transmission) infrastructure trade corridor. A pre-approved right-of-way corridor for multiple privately funded projects, the northern corridor concept is approximately 7,000 km in length and would interconnect with existing transportation networks and port facilities on all three Canadian coasts. This thesis analyzes how transportation, energy, communication, and community infrastructure policy will affect the successful completion of northern corridor projects. Successful completion of the northern corridor requires introducing northern governance councils which target the socio-energy evaluation framework objectives in alignment with the Transportation 2030 themes. The results recommend the advancement of the proposed northern corridor as a catalyst for socio-economic development in the Provincial North.

Keywords: Northern corridor; governance; business development; climate change; energy transitions.

(To read the rest of this paper please send us a request in the form below)