An Alberta-based company is about to embark on a first of its kind hydrogen project in the world.

Proton Technologies will be deploying its patented process in the Kerrobert area to extract hydrogen from existing oil reservoirs while keeping carbon dioxide trapped in the ground.

Energy Minister Bronwyn Eyre says you can add hydrogen to what is a growing list of new projects in the province.

“We are looking at everything from lithium to hydrogen to helium these days.” Eyre said. “In this case for the economy, but for the environment this project has zero emissions and a low cost structure so it is a win-win.”

This is  the first formally approved initiative under the government’s Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive (SPII) program, which was created to support the commercialization of innovations in the oil and natural gas sectors.

“Saskatchewan is a great place to invest and do business, especially in the energy industry,” Proton Technologies Chairman and CEO Grant Strem said in a release. “We are excited to move ahead with the first commercial deployment of this technology in the world here in Saskatchewan, and we have exciting plans to further advance and scale this technology in future stages.”