PTAC Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada and Linear Motion Technologies Canada
May 25, 2022
Executive Summary
This final report summarizes the outcomes of the project concerning the Affordable Zero-Emissions Fail-Safe Electric Dump Valve Actuator (Fail-Safe EDVA). Linear Motion Technologies Canada undertook the project in collaboration with Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC). This project commenced on May 13, 2019 and concluded on March 31, 2022.
The project performed applied research, prototype design and development, bench testing, and field testing of an affordable and fail-safe electric dump valve actuator (EDVA) that will replace existing pneumatic valves in the oil and gas industry. The applied research for the EDVA and test unit supply effort was performed by LMT-Canada’s parent company LMT Management Corporation in Houston, Texas. Due to the 2020-2022 pandemic, systems engineering, controls development, dump valve actuator integration, prototype shop testing, field trial planning, and field testing were also performed by LMT Management Corporation with three field tests in Texas. Canadian oil and gas companies Cenovus Energy, Husky Energy, Shell Canada, and Whitecap Resources participated in the project. PTAC Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada provided project management in Calgary, Alberta.
The objective of this project was to complete, based on an initial proof of concept, the prototype design and testing of a zero-emission, fail-safe, and affordable electric dump valve actuator (EDVA). The Fail-Safe EDVA will enable the replacement of existing pneumatic valve actuators which cause a large percent of methane emissions in production sites across Canada (i.e., British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) which will support Canada’s goal towards air emissions reduction from the oil and gas sector.
Completing the project offers the opportunity for significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions estimated to be at 3.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) after year 5 of deployment in the Canadian oil and gas sector, contributing to Canadian targets for emissions reductions and the Net Zero vision. The EDVA project also supports Canada’s competitiveness while transitioning the technology landscape to a low carbon economy and creating market growth. The potential market rollout of EVDA units represents a manufacturing and installation revenue of up to $38 million per year and the creation of up to 40 full-time equivalent jobs in Canada, further strengthening economic opportunities.