What does it all mean? Your guide to industry acronyms and abbreviations
Updated: February 25, 2026
Acronyms and abbreviations are common in technical industries, used as a shorthand to refer to technologies, processes, organizations and more. But for those who aren’t in the know, these terms can seem like a different language.
The list below explains some common terms used in oil and gas and related industries. The list is by no means exhaustive but is meant as a resource to help you understand these terms and to learn more.
AER
Alberta Energy Regulator. The AER is an independent government agency that regulates the development of energy resources in Alberta.
AOSP
Athabasca Oil Sands Project. The Quest carbon capture and storage project is owned by the AOSP, of which Pathways member company Canadian Natural has 80% interest.
bbl/day
Barrels per day. This is a unit of measurement for oil production. One barrel is equivalent to 42 U.S. gallons.
boe/d
Barrels of oil equivalent per day. Boe/d is a metric used to create a common standard of measuring production output of different types of energy like oil and natural gas. Typically, one barrel of oil is equivalent to 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas.
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. CAPP is an industry association representing companies that explore for, develop and produce natural gas and oil throughout Canada.
CCS
Carbon capture and storage. A process that captures CO2 emissions caused by industrial activities and stores them permanently underground.
CER
Canada Energy Regulator. The CER regulates energy infrastructure in Canada. They review energy development projects, share energy information, and enforce safety and environmental standards.
CO2e
Carbon dioxide equivalent. A standard unit for measuring the effect of greenhouse gases on climate change. Different types of emissions are converted to the equivalent amount of CO2.
COSIA
Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance, the innovation arm of Pathways Alliance. COSIA focuses on technology advancements in four environmental priority areas: land, water, greenhouse gases and tailings.
CSS
Cyclic Steam Stimulation. An oil sands extraction method that uses steam to help heat and soften bitumen.
DAC
Direct air capture. DAC technologies use powerful fans to suck in ambient air and pair it with a sorbent, which acts like a sponge by soaking up the carbon dioxide molecules.
ECCC
Environment and Climate Change Canada. ECCC is the lead federal department for a wide range of environmental issues. The department delivers its mandate through acts and regulations such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act, the Federal Sustainable Development Act, the Species at Risk Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Canada Wildlife Act.
EIA
Environmental impact assessment. An EIA is required by the Government of Alberta where a proposed industrial project could result in significant adverse environmental effects. The environmental assessment process allows companies and government decision makers to examine the effects that the proposed project may have on the environment and determine if the project is of public interest.
EIA
Energy information Administration (U.S.). The EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information.
Explorers and Producers Association of Canada. EPAC is the voice of Canada’s conventional energy producers and advocates on behalf of its entrepreneurial members for sound government policy that promotes a thriving energy sector.
G7
The Group of Seven. An informal grouping of countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union.
GDP
Gross domestic product. GDP measures the value of all goods and services produced within a country during a specific period. It is an indicator that helps measure a country’s economy.
IEA
The International Energy Agency. An organization which provides data and analysis on the global energy sector.
In situ
Sometimes called in-place extraction, in-situ processes are used when bitumen in the oil sands is too deep underground to be mined.
Mining Association of Canada. MAC is an industry association whose members account for most of Canada’s production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal, mined oil sands and industrial minerals.
MMB/d
Million barrels per day.
MOU
Memorandum of Understanding.
NAABA
Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association. Founded in 1993, NAABA now represents more than 90 Indigenous-owned businesses with another 90 non-Indigenous associate members.
NSERC
National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada. NSERC is Canada’s federal agency for research and research training in natural sciences and engineering at Canadian universities and colleges.
OPEC
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. OPEC is an international organization whose members are oil-producing nations. Its stated objective is to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among its members. Founding Members include Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Canada is not an OPEC member.
OTSG
Once-through steam generator. A boiler used for in-situ extraction processes that generates superheated steam.
PAIR
Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations. Developed by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, this certification program assesses and confirms corporate performance in Indigenous relations at the Bronze, Silver or Gold level.
SAGD
Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage. An in-situ extraction method that recovers bitumen from deep oil sands deposits using pairs of horizontal wells, one circulating steam and the other producing bitumen.
