Biology for Fossil Energy Research

University of Calgary researchers are seeking to understand and control biological processes in order to make the production and use of fossil fuels as environmentally friendly as possible.

Working together as the Biology for Fossil Energy Research (BioFER) Group, the researchers are harnessing the microorganisms and their genes in oil and gas reservoirs and in coal deposits, to reduce the environmental footprint of there important energy resources.


Focus: Clean Energy

Fossil fuels will continue to supply a significant portion of the world's demand for energy well into this century. But oil, natural gas and coal must be extracted, processed and used in ways that minimize environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, toxic pollution, energy and water usage, and land disturbance.

The BioFER Group is using state-of-the-art genomics methods to identify and characterize all members of microbial communities in hydrocarbon resource environments. They are tapping organic bioprocesses to reduce water use, lower methane emissions and remediate disturbed and polluted areas. They are exploring microbial communities that can speed up the natural biodegradation of unrecoverable oil in reservoirs to produce clean-burning methane.

The BioFER Group is helping to ensure that Canada's energy production becomes cleaner and more environmentally sustainable. BioFER members work at one of North America's leading research universities focused on Energy and Environment, in the energy 'capital' of Canada.


Research Team

  • Steve Larter, ISEEE fellow and Canada Research Chair in Petroleum Geology, Department of Geoscience.
  • Dennis R. Salahub, ISEEE fellow and Professor, Department of Chemistry
  • Ian D. Gates, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
  • Peter Dunfield, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Howard Ceri, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Raymond J. Turner, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Gordon Chua, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Lisa Gieg, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Gerrit Voordouw, Professor and NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Petroleum Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Thomas R. Jack, Adjunct Professor, Department of Biological Sciences