Canada’s significant offshore oil and gas resources are a source of jobs, growth and energy vital to the economy. The oil and gas Industry in Newfoundland and Labrador directly employs about 3,000 people. Indirect employment from oil and gas activity is estimated at over 17,000 jobs. The Offshore Technology Research Training Program is an applied research effort headquartered at Memorial University of Newfoundland that focuses directly on problems and challenges facing the industry. A variety of partners—from resource companies to professional associations—are helping to provide a highly trained workforce to maintain Canada’s competitive advantage. The initiative, led by Professor of Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering, Dr. Wei Qiu, will receive support over six years through NSERC’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE). This support will give graduate students in engineering the opportunity to take specialized courses and focus research in four thematic areas: floating structures, mooring lines and risers, corrosion material engineering and subsea systems.
For the period 2010-16: NSERC contribution, $1.65 million.