Science and innovation

The Government of Canada prioritizes internationally recognized science and evidence-based decision-making. For over 50 years, Canadian researchers have been studying oil spills.

The Government of Canada has taken a comprehensive approach to understanding how oil and related products behave in the environment, where contaminants end up, and how spills can affect Canadian wildlife and their habitats. Research activities are intended to enhance preparedness and response and help oil spill responders make the best choices to minimize environmental damage.

Fate and behaviour

Scientists are working to understand how real-world environmental conditions can change how the oil behaves so that the most effective response tools can be used to minimize potential impacts, should a spill occur. The fate and behaviour of the oil in the environment varies widely depending on:

• the properties and composition of the oil;
• the conditions at the site of the spill (i.e., presence of ice, type of shoreline, how close the spill is to shore, etc.);
• the weather and weather processes (such as evaporation, dissolution, dispersion, emulsification, and chemical or biological degradation)
• and seasonal weather conditions at the time of the spill (i.e., wind, waves, currents, temperature, salinity, and water quality parameters).

Research on the fate and behaviour of oil in the environment provides important information about how best to respond to oil spills, including:

• the effectiveness of potential response tools;
• the window of opportunity (i.e., amount of time available) to best use available countermeasures; and,
• the development of spill models to predict spill trajectory, anticipate potential impacts of a spill, or inform which response technique or combination of techniques would result in better outcomes for the environment.

Federal funding of research is helping improve preparedness, prevention, and response to oil spills.

Here is some of the Government of Canada's research relating to oil, environmental response, innovations for climate change and energy alternatives.

Oil science

Innovation programs and information on climate change and oil alternatives

• Alternative fuels – Find information about the different types of fuel.
• Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program – Increases the exploitation of Canada's natural advantage in biomass to develop new economic opportunities for agriculture.
• Canadian Biomass Innovation Network – Coordinates the Government of Canada's interdepartmental research and development activities in the area of bioenergy, biofuels, industrial bioproducts and bioprocesses.
• CanmetENERGY Technology Centre – Research and development arm of Natural Resources Canada that develops and delivers knowledge- and technology-based programs for the sustainable production and use of Canada's energy supply.
• ecoEnergy Technology Initiative – $230-million investment in the research, development and demonstration of clean-energy technologies.
• Energy Innovation Program -- Advances clean energy technologies that will help Canada meet its climate change targets, while supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. It funds research, development and demonstration projects, and other related scientific activities.
• Fuel Focus – Clear, transparent, and timely information on fuel prices, oil and gasoline markets, and ways to manage energy costs from Natural Resources Canada.
• Hydrogen Economy Portal – Information related to the Canadian hydrogen and fuel cell industry and relevant organizations, initiatives, and events.
• Multi-Partner Research Initiative – $30.3 million over 5 years to advance Canada’s scientific knowledge and science-based decision making for oil spill response.
• Oceans Protection Plan – The largest investment ever made to protect Canada's coasts and waterways is making marine shipping safer, increasing protections for marine species and ecosystems, and improving how we respond to marine incidents and spills. All of this is being accomplished together with Indigenous Peoples, coastal communities, industry and researchers.
• Office of Energy Efficiency – Provides background and tips on fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Research, Development and Demonstration projects in Canada – Natural Resources Canada projects that are innovating energy.

Related links

• Oil spill prevention and response in Canada
• How to report a spill