Innovation hub

Canada’s largest oil sands companies identify areas of pressing concern. We help innovators—academics, researchers, start-ups, inventors and others—advance promising solutions that can reduce environmental impacts in those areas.

What are innovation opportunities?

Once Pathways members identify a specific challenge, we create an innovation opportunity. This is a description of the current state of the industry along with an outline of what members need from new processes and technologies. Innovators use these briefs to inform their work.

We help innovators go further, faster

We bring together the best minds in Canada and around the world to tackle the toughest environmental challenges in the oil sands. Promising ideas are supported with expertise and help navigating the innovation ecosystem.

Who is eligible to submit an idea?

The short answer is: Anyone, anywhere who has an idea that can address one of our innovation opportunities. We work with:

Academics
Researchers
Start-ups
Entrepreneurs
Innovators
Large and small companies

If you have questions about your eligibility, drop us a line.

What to expect when you submit

Step 1

All submissions must be made using our Environmental Technology Assessment Portal (E-TAP).

STEP 2

COSIA reviews your submission and assigns it to the relevant EPA for further assessment.

STEP 3

We may contact you to request more information or clarification.

STEP 4

Submissions are reviewed by working groups, member companies and our steering committee before a final decision is made.

Innovation opportunities

Got an idea? Explore the current innovation opportunities to see where you can contribute.

Challenge	Tags	Details
Transforming Seismic Exploration to Approach Zero Land Disturbance	Land	The COSIA Land Environmental Priority Area (EPA) has identified an opportunity to significantly reduce or eliminate vegetation clearing associated with exploration across the boreal forest and, in particular, within the oil sands region of northern Alberta, Canada, for in situ projects.	Download Challenge Brief
Enhancing SAGD Performance Through Inclined Heterolithic Strata (IHS)	GHG	COSIA’s members are seeking novel technologies that will improve Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) well performance in reservoirs impaired by Inclined Heterolithic Strata (IHS) layers.	Download Challenge Brief

Ready to submit?

We welcome submissions that address our innovation opportunities and Environmental Priority Areas. If you’re ready to share your idea, head to our Environmental Technology Assessment Portal (E-TAP) and tell us about your technology.

Go to E-Tap

Frequently asked questions

Submissions made through E-TAP are non-confidential. We use this information only to evaluate your submission, but that might include sharing it with experts at the producers and with third-party reviewers. Following your initial submission, COSIA may choose to receive further information on a confidential basis.
E-TAP will guide you through the submission process, but there are some things to consider in advance. Your submission is your pitch. We want to know:

– What your proposed solution is and how it works.

– How you define the problem your technology will solve.

– How your technology compares to other technologies in the space.

– What stage of development your technology is at. We use technology readiness levels (TRL) for this purpose.

– If you are seeking funding to deliver needed tests or further research.

Still have questions? Get in touch.