Lipidomics and the Derisking of Deep Ocean Petroleum Exploration

high cost of deep-sea petroleum exploration requires the pursuit of new technologies to ensure that Canada’s energy demands continue to be met. The Scotian Margin has proven economic grade reserves and it is certain that undiscovered deposits further lie within the extensive region. However, these sites may be in deep water settings thereby requiring the use of additional prospecting tools to encourage further industry investment. With this challenge, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (NSDNRR) in cooperation with the Offshore Energy and Research Association (OERA) have teamed up with Saint Mary’s University (SMU) to develop environmental lipidomic techniques for exploration of new hydrocarbon prospects along the Scotian Slope. Environmental lipidomics is the study of the relationship between the lipids that make up microorganisms and how this relates to the environment in which these molecules occur. Some microbes depend on hydrocarbons for survival. Furthermore, the presence of petroleum changes the geochemical conditions and therefore the microbial community that lives in the impacted sediments. We are therefore using seafloor sediment lipid signatures as novel prospecting tools for the detection and evaluation of hydrocarbon impacted sediments at perspective seep sites along the Scotian slope.

Faculty Supervisor:

Todd Ventura

Student:

Partner:

Offshore Energy Research Association of Nova Scotia

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Mining; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Saint Mary's University

Program: