GE and Statoil have agreed to work together to accelerate the development of more environmentally and economically sustainable energy solutions, according to a news release.

This joint technology-focused program is aimed challenges facing global oil and gas production, including flaring, CO2 and methane emissions, and water usage, while also optimizing business operations, Statoil said in a news release.

The program will focus on developing new approaches to create efficient, low-cost technologies for oil and shale gas production while simultaneously reducing emissions. In its initial stage, the collaboration builds on a foundation of concrete projects already initiated that address key sustainability dimensions of the industry, including:

  • Reduce flaring and lower CO2 intensity through innovative application of CNG In A Box as part of the Last Mile Fueling solution. Provide a full-service natural gas fueling solution for operations by capturing, compressing and using natural gas that would otherwise be flared at well sites;
  • Reduce water usage through CO2 stimulation: Use liquefied CO2 stimulation to both reduce water usage in fracturing operations and increase oil and gas production;
  • Increase fuel efficiency through gas compressor optimization: Increase performance, efficiency, and extend maintenance intervals through optimization of gas compressor components and
  • Increase fuel efficiency with Turbine Online Water Wash technology: Increase performance, and reduce planned and unplanned turbine downtime by cleaning turbines during operation, the release said.

The collaboration, in later phases, will also pursue work on a range of solutions, from the rapid scale-up of technologies that help address the operational needs of the industry today to longer-term solutions that can support the industry as it matures to meet tomorrow’s energy needs.

GE and Statoil are also launching a global Open Innovation Challenge, inviting innovators to develop potential solutions to make energy production more sustainable.

The first phase of the challenge specifically aims to address the use of sand in unconventional operations, according to the release. Focusing on sand has the potential to reduce the environmental impacts on local communities, lessen emissions and make energy production more efficient. GE Oil & Gas and Statoil will help fund the commercial development of winning approaches, the release said.