Steve Larter

Stephen Larter, University of Calgary, Alberta Ingenuity Scholar
Alberta Ingenuity Centre for In Situ Energy

Dr. Larter is a petroleum geologist who is studying chemical composition of petroleum to unravel the origins of oil and gas, and to advance efficient, cleaner recovery of nonconventional energy resources.

Petroleum geochemistry provides specific information about oil composition, which in turn governs oil properties such as viscosity, density and sulphur content. Petroleum geochemistry allows us to understand the distance and direction of oil migration, and the filling and compartmentalization of reservoirs. Integrated with engineering, petroleum geochemistry provides a powerful frontline tool for improving production from Canada’s unconventional oil and gas resources.

Steve and his team of five, who accompanied him from the U.K., have made enormous progress since coming to Alberta in 2004. They have changed the way the world thinks about the origin of heavy oil and have published several papers in Nature. Steve’s team has grown to over 20 people and has started two commercially successful spinoff companies, Gushor and Profero. Steve was elected to the Royal Society of Canada on May 15, 2009.

“Dr. Steve Larter is one of the world’s experts on the chemistry of oil sand deposits. With his highly specialized expertise, he works closely with Canadian and International oil companies. Dr. Larter and his colleagues are developing leading-edge technology to understand the geology of the oil sands and provide more effective methods of extracting the bitumen.” Dr. Dale Leckie, P.Geol. Chief Geologist, Nexen Inc.