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Drilling Technology Challenge

Advanced drilling technologies for emissions reduction

Offered by
Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)
Official source: eralberta.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 250,000 - $ 8,000,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Alberta, Canada

Overview

The Drilling Technology Challenge from Emissions Reduction Alberta offers up to $35 million for projects that improve the cost, efficiency, safety, and environmental performance of drilling operations in Alberta. Eligible work includes field testing, commercial demonstration, and first-of-kind commercial deployment of technologies such as automation, sensors, hybrid power, and geothermal innovations.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$8,000,000
Minimum funding
$250,000
Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Optimize production processes
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Conduct research or evaluation activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Alberta
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Canadians
  • Startups
Legal structures
Non-profit, Sole proprietorship, Public or Parapublic institution, For-profit business
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Higher Education, Research, Environment, Economic, Social and Community Development, Business Associations
Target groups
Indigenous peoples, Rural / Remote communities, Business owners / entrepreneurs, Nonprofits / charities, Academia / students
Scope
Local, Municipal, Regional, Provincial, National, International

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 2

Latest changes

Drilling Technology Challenge updated to selected awards

The Drilling Technology Challenge now shows selected awards totaling $37 million across 10 projects instead of an open call, with the deadline and active submission timeline removed.

See more

The Drilling Technology Challenge landing page now presents selected funding outcomes: $37 million across 10 projects valued at nearly $179 million, with project-level ERA funding amounts listed on the page. The earlier open-call framing with a January 29, 2026 deadline, the webinar/timeline section, and the live applicant submission path are no longer presented on the main program page. The scope and selection language now emphasize the funded projects and stage-of-development requirements, including field test/pilot, commercial demonstration, and first-of-kind commercial deployment (approximately TRL 7-9+), rather than an active call for general drilling technologies. Supporting materials such as the Application Guidelines, FAQ, eligible expense instructions, and application template remain linked, but they now sit alongside the selected-project announcement instead of an open application window.

Official source: eralberta.ca
July 8, 2026

Eligibility

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • GHG detection, quantification, measurement, and monitoring technologies.
  • Business-as-usual technologies or solutions.
  • Incremental efficiency improvements that do not go beyond legislated requirements.
  • Standalone infrastructure, facilities or building envelopes, and standalone pre-construction studies such as feasibility or FEED.
  • Geological assessments, except in the context of downhole tooling, and conventional exploration wells for resource characterization.

Activities funded

  • Technologies that improve the performance of the drilling and completion process in Alberta.
  • Novel technologies that improve or enable the preparation and execution of well drilling and completions.
  • Field test/pilot, commercial demonstration, and first-of-kind commercial deployment projects.
  • Test centres and other shared infrastructure that enable testing and validation activities for multiple participants.

How to apply

  • Create an account on ERA’s application portal and start a submission.
  • Download the Application template from the portal.
  • Complete a formal Application.
  • Submit all submissions through the Grant Manager system only; no submissions will be accepted via other means.

Documents Needed

  • Application Template

Selection criteria

  • Technology Advancement
  • Implementation & Readiness
  • Environmental Performance
  • Economic & Ancillary Benefits
  • Stakeholder Engagement and Commercialization & Market Fit

Processing and Agreement

  • Projects are selected through ERA’s competitive, expert-led review process, overseen by a Fairness Monitor.
  • ERA’s Board of Directors makes the final funding decision based on the experts’ recommendations.
  • Successful applicants enter into a legal Contribution Agreement that includes confidentiality and privacy terms.
  • Funding recipients must submit a project completion report covering outcomes, achievements, lessons learned, GHG reductions, job creation, and other benefits.
  • Funding recipients must provide brief annual updates after completion, typically for three years, and a third-party verification report one year after commissioning.

Contacts

applications@eralberta.ca

Official sources

Drilling Technology Challenge - Emissions Reduction Alberta

Program guide

COST Guidelines (2025)Informational Webinar Starting Soon (2025)Up to $35 million to build on more than a century of expertise (2025)

Application form

Appendix A Ghg Quantification Workbook 2025 DtcAppendix A: Greenhouse Gas Quantification ReportAppendix B: Applicant Financial ReportAppendix D: Letters of SupportDrilling Technology Challenge
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Drilling Technology Challenge Program

What is the Drilling Technology Challenge?

The Drilling Technology Challenge from Emissions Reduction Alberta offers up to $35 million for projects that improve the cost, efficiency, safety, and environmental performance of drilling operations in Alberta. Eligible work includes field testing, commercial demonstration, and first-of-kind commercial deployment of technologies such as automation, sensors, hybrid power, and geothermal innovations.

How much funding can be received?

Drilling Technology Challenge Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $8,000,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Drilling Technology Challenge program?

To be eligible for the Drilling Technology Challenge program, you must: The project must improve drilling and completion performance in Alberta. The project must be at the field test/pilot, commercial demonstration, or first-of-kind commercial deployment stage. The applicant must already have a minimum viable product or prototype with early demonstrable results.

Who can I contact for more information about the Drilling Technology Challenge?

You can contact Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) by email at applications@eralberta.ca.

Where is the Drilling Technology Challenge available?

The Drilling Technology Challenge program is available the province of Alberta.

Is the Drilling Technology Challenge a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Drilling Technology Challenge is a Grant and Funding

Who are the financial supporters of the Drilling Technology Challenge?

Drilling Technology Challenge is funded by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)