Province Funds Geoscience Research at U of S

Posted March 20, 2003


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 20, 2003

(Prepared by the Saskatchewan Government and the University of Saskatchewan)


Province Funds Geoscience Research at U of S

Provincial funding of $46,000 to the University of Saskatchewan for three
geoscience projects will benefit the province's potash and petroleum
industries.

The U of S geological sciences department will research the nature of
certain minerals and rocks to provide new perspectives on several
sedimentary rock formations that are vital to Saskatchewan's economic
health. The research will facilitate development of future exploration
programs.

"By investing in cutting-edge geosciences research we are investing in
studies that will be helpful to the potash and petroleum industries, two key
contributors to our economy," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline
said. "This government is also committed to providing enhanced opportunities
in specialized training for students who will become our high-calibre
scientists of tomorrow."

Provincial support comes from the Geoscience Research and Student Training
Program. The three U of S geological sciences research projects include:

- $16,100 to investigate calcium and magnesium isotopes for a better
understanding of petroleum reservoirs in Saskatchewan, led by Chris Holmden;

- $15,000 for detailed seismic characterization of the edges of a key
potash-bearing rock formation south of Regina, led by Igor Morozov and
Zoltan Hajnal;

- $14,900 to analyse carbon and strontium isotopes in certain Saskatchewan
carbonate rocks and compare the patterns to those found in Alberta's
petroleum-producing rocks of a similar age. Chris Holmden is leading this
research.

"These industrially relevant projects will directly contribute to the
training of professionals in geology, geophysics and aspects of computer
science, providing new research opportunities for our students in
leading-edge technologies," U of S Acting Vice-President of Research Bryan
Harvey said.

Geoscience research is a vital component of Saskatchewan's successful
petroleum and potash industries.

The oil and gas industry invested $1.4 billion in the province during the
2001 calendar year and generated gross royalty and tax revenues of $684
million in the 2001/2002 fiscal year. Saskatchewan is the largest potash
producer and exporter in the world. In recent years, annual sales for
Saskatchewan potash have totaled $1 billion per year.

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For more information, contact:

Bob Ellis
Industry and Resources
Regina
(306)787-8277
rellis@ir.gov.sk.ca

Kathryn Warden
University of Saskatchewan Research Communications
(306) 966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research