Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador’s only university, has just opened a new offshore research and development centre, known as the Suncor Energy Offshore Research and Development Centre. The $6.8-million facility expands an existing engineering building to include an additional 14, 208 square feet of research space.

The new R&D Centre will focus on innovative ocean and offshore engineering-related R&D projects.

“With the completion of this new R&D Centre, we are resolving a space constraint and enabling an increase in focused R&D performed in this province,” says Glenn Janes, Research & Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador CEO. “These R&D projects are crucial for the future of our ocean and offshore industries, and I look forward to many new developments emerging from this expanded collaborative research centre.”

Funding for the centre was provided by Suncor Energy ($2-million) and the Research & Development Corporation ($4.8-million). This collaboration strengthens an existing relationship between the contributors.

“Memorial University has some of the top researchers and expertise in the world in the areas of offshore engineering,” says Dr. Gary Kachanoski, President and Vice-Chancellor at Memorial University. “The Suncor Energy Offshore Research and Development Centre has created a collaborative space for faculty, graduate students and industry partners to advance their cutting-edge research and to further elevate Memorial’s status as a centre of expertise in offshore research and development.”