Greenhouse gases (GHGs)

We’re investigating new ways to reduce energy use and GHG emissions in oil sands operations.

GHG Aspirations

We aspire to produce oil with lower GHG emissions than other sources of oil.

Our member companies are building on each other’s expertise and collaborating with universities, governments and research institutes to reduce GHG emissions in our operations.

GHG Priorities

Reducing GHG emissions is the overall goal, but to be successful we must take a comprehensive approach.

Reduce flaring and venting

Recover and reuse waste heat

Improve energy efficiency in operations

What we’re doing

We’re working on several fronts to reduce GHG emissions from operations.

Rethinking how we generate steam

We’re exploring ways to reinvent the bitumen extraction process to reduce, or even eliminate, the need for steam.


GHGs in transportation

New transportation technologies can help us reduce GHG emissions associated with handling and transporting ore.

Alternate power sources

Geothermal energy and small module reactors are just two of the technologies that hold promise for replacing fossil fuels as a power source for oil sands operations.


Getting a handle on fugitive emissions

Novel technologies that can measure unintended releases of GHGs from mine pits and tailings ponds are being developed and tested.

GHG innovation opportunities

We want to hear from anyone with an idea—academics, researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs—that can help us reduce GHG emissions. Explore the current innovation opportunities to see where you can contribute.

Learn more about innovation opportunities

Priority Area

Challenge Tags Details
Enhancing SAGD Performance Through Inclined Heterolithic Strata (IHS) GHG

COSIA’s members are seeking novel technologies that will improve Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) well performance in reservoirs impaired by Inclined Heterolithic Strata (IHS) layers.

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Finding Steam Additives for SAGD Performance Improvement GHG

COSIA’s members have identified ‘de-risking steam additives for SAGD performance improvement research priority’, which if realized, would help reduce the amount of steam needed per barrel produced.

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Enrichment of Combustion Air GHG

Activities to close this gap will focus on decreasing the costs of oxygen enrichment technologies and improving their integration with oil sands facilities. Material energy efficiency improvements will also be targeted and could be achieved through lower energy intensity oxygen (O₂) production.

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Post Combustion CO₂ Capture from Natural Gas Combustion Flue Gas GHG

Activities in this opportunity will increase understanding of how to dramatically reduce the cost of capture, especially CAPEX, from diluted CO2 streams (<8 vol%), and how the most advanced and emerging Post Combustion Capture (PCC) technologies and processes can be economically applied to current oil sands production. Also of interest is the identification and development of promising early technology readiness level (TRL) processes and technologies for CO2 capture at a significantly lower cost (OPEX and CAPEX).

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