EnerSea Canada Inc., in partnership with Memorial University of Newfoundland, will lead the establishment of the world’s first research and development centre for large-scale marine transport of compressed natural gas (CNG). The centre will be a federally incorporated not-for-profit entity located on Memorial’s St. John’s campus. The company will receive $4 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund to establish a large-scale, dynamic R&D test facility dedicated to CNG marine transport. This technology is especially targeted at “stranded gas” (no existing transportation system exists) offshore Atlantic Canada and worldwide. The total value of the project is $8.05 million. Other funds will come from industry and government sources.

“We applaud the vision EnerSea Canada has shown by leading this Centre of Excellence initiative,” said Memorial President Dr. Axel Meisen. “We are also very grateful that the Atlantic Innovation Fund supports this research and development activity in Atlantic Canada.”

“We are delighted that The Atlantic Innovation Fund has recognized the vital role CNG marine transport will play in the monetization of stranded gas reserves both regionally and globally,” said Stephen Henley, Managing Director of EnerSea Canada. “This centre will certainly provide Atlantic Canadian research institutions and industry the opportunity to be at the forefront of CNG marine transport technology on a global basis.”

The current and future partners in the centre include CNG technology providers, shipping companies, classification societies, natural gas infrastructure providers, offshore technology providers, petroleum producers, universities, research organizations and the governments of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

“We wish to recognize and extend our appreciation for the broad support received from academia, in particular from Memorial University, industry and government for the CNG Centre of Excellence, as this initiative has truly been a collaborative effort from the outset,” added Mr. Henley.