Heavy oil research facility to expand explosion-proof labs

Saskatoon, SK – The Pipe Flow Technology Centre^TM at the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) will soon become one of Canada’s first research facilities equipped to handle hazardous explosive materials such as crude oil. The facility recently received more than $1.7 million in federal and provincial funding to cover the costs. Saskatchewan Research Council will contribute a further $305,000.

The SRC will expand an existing explosion-proof building at the centre to accommodate research on light and heavy crude oils and refined petroleum products, all of which are flammable and require special equipment for safe storage and handling. New labs outfitted to handle hazardous research samples will be added to the main building. With these new research capabilities, the centre can test a wider range of substances and help the provincial, and national, oil and gas industry enhance oil recovery, reduce operating costs and improve processes.

“The expansion and enhancements to SRC’s Pipe Flow Technology Centre will enable industry to test new ideas and solve current problems with effectively designed solutions,” said Dr Laurier Schramm, president and CEO of SRC. “The centre has been undertaking pipe flow research for 50 years and this expansion will help it continue to evolve to meet industry needs.”