Industry research partnerships in sand management, formation damage and thermal recovery

We welcome industry partners to jointly develop applied research projects addressing practical challenges in sand management, formation damage, petroleum geomechanics, and thermal recovery. Our goal is to turn operational problems into focused research, useful engineering solutions, and opportunities for innovation.

Based at the University of Alberta, our team brings expertise in laboratory testing, experimental design, numerical modelling, and interpretation of field and laboratory data, supported by the Sand Control and Formation Damage Laboratory and experience delivering industry-sponsored research.

Potential collaboration areas include: • Sand production, sand-control screen selection, plugging, and completion performance. • Fines migration, formation damage, and loss of well productivity. • Geomechanical behaviour and wellbore stability. • Thermal recovery, non-condensable gas injection, and aquathermolysis. • Gas generation, including H₂S, under thermal recovery conditions. • Custom testing methods and technology development motivated by industry needs.

We seek operators, technology developers, service companies, and research organizations willing to help define the problem and contribute funding, technical expertise, field data, materials, equipment, or demonstration opportunities.

Projects may be supported through direct industry sponsorship or jointly developed applications to suitable research funding programs. The funding route, partner roles, contributions, scope, and deliverables will be agreed during project development, subject to program eligibility and institutional requirements.

This is an ongoing invitation to develop new collaborations, rather than a call tied to one confirmed grant or deadline. Please contact us with a brief description of your challenge, intended outcomes, and preferred timeline.