Memorial University’s Role in
Oil and Gas Industry-related
Economic Development in
Newfoundland and Labrador
Dr. Axel Meisen
President and Vice Chancellor
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John’s, NL, May 16, 2007
Vision 2000
Memorial University will facilitate the
transformation of Newfoundland and
Labrador into an international centre of
expertise for oil and gas, with emphasis
on operations in harsh environments.
Oil and Gas Development Partnership
OGDP
New Partnerships
Pan Atlantic Petroleum
Systems Consortium
Industry - University Government R&D consortium
xxx
New Faculty
• 19 new faculty
• $2.5 million Husky Energy Chair in
Oil and Gas Research
Dr. John Lau, CEO Husky Energy
Dr. Phil Bording
New Faculty
Canada Research Chair in Reservoir
Engineering and Characterization
Dr. Thor Johansen
New Facilities
Harsh Environment
Bridge Simulator
New Facilities
Underwater Vehicles
Centre for Marine
Compressed Natural Gas
New Facilities
Landmark Graphics
Visualization Lab
(Western Geco Image)
Schlumberger
Data Centre
New Facilities
Inco Innovation Centre
New Flagship Program:
Master’s of Oil & Gas Studies
•
•
•
•
Executive-level program
Covering entire petroleum industry
One year: with three 3-week on site periods
Unique in the world
Other New Programs
Oil & Gas Options in Engineering
Advanced Diploma in Oil & Gas Engineering
Master’s and PhD in Oil & Gas Engineering
Bachelor of Process Engineering
Master’s and PhD in Petroleum Geology
Diploma in Marine Safety
Diploma in Remotely Operated Vehicles
Research Foci
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Simulation and visualization
Seismic imaging and inversion
Basin Assessments
Reservoir Characterization
Reconnaissance
Engineering of Production Systems
Underwater Vehicles
Offshore Safety
Students
• 100+ graduate students
• 60 students in Oil and Gas Option in
Engineering
• Memorial graduates employed in all
areas of the petroleum industry
Funds Raised (2003 – 2010)
Atlantic Innovation Fund
NSERC/CFI/other grants
Canada Research Chairs
Landmark Graphics
Schlumberger
Seismic data
Husky Chair
Other industry
Total
M$
15.6
5.2
4.0
18.5
10.0
29.0
2.5
3.4
88.3
GDP and Employment Impact by
Industry for NL
15%
10%
15
5%
6.9
3
0%
2.9
2
1.6
Employment
GDP
Oil
Mining
Fishery
Oil is the largest single contributor to the provincial
economy and growing in importance.
Source: The Economy 2007
Potential Memorial University
Initiatives
• Executive MBA programs:
– Oil and Gas
– Maritime Management
Potential Memorial University
Initiatives
• Executive MBA programs:
– Oil and Gas
– Maritime Management
• New research areas:
– Innovative exploration drilling
Potential Memorial University
Initiatives
• Executive MBA programs:
– Oil and Gas
– Maritime Management
• New research areas:
– Innovative exploration drilling
– Green-house gases and oceans
– Ocean geo-technology
Potential Memorial University
Initiatives
• Executive MBA programs:
– Oil and Gas
– Maritime Management
• New research areas:
– Innovative exploration drilling
– Green-house gases and oceans
– Ocean geo-technology
• Oil and gas processing
Conclusions
• Memorial University has had major
impacts on the regional petroleum
industry
• Significant human, physical and
financial resources have been secured
• Good partnerships have been formed
• Innovative research is underway