Suncor plots 10-year program for Alberta oil sands development

Nov. 14, 2001
Suncor Energy Inc. has disclosed plans that could increase capacity of its northeastern Alberta oil sands production facility to 550,000 b/d by 2010-12.

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Nov. 14 -- Suncor Energy Inc. has disclosed plans for its Voyageur expansion, which has the potential to increase capacity of its northeastern Alberta oil sands production facility to 550,000 b/d by 2010-12.

Voyageur calls for expansion of Suncor's oil sands mining and in situ developments as well as its extraction and upgrading facilities. In parallel with the expansion, Suncor plans to identify initiatives in environmental performance and social responsibility. The company plans to apply for regulatory approval in late 2002.

Suncor said project development would occur in two phases, an expansion to 400,000-450,000 b/d in 2008 (announced in January 2000) and to 500,000-550,000 b/d in 2010-12.

The plan assumes Suncor has reached its target of 260,000 b/d in 2005 through its Firebag in situ project. Engineering, construction, and production plans for each phase would be aligned with the company's long term marketing strategy.

Preliminary cost estimates for Voyageur will be made in late 2002. Development also requires regulatory approval as well as favorable fiscal and market conditions and the approval of Suncor's directors.

Suncor is nearing completion of Project Millennium, a $3.25 billion expansion expected to increase production capacity to 225,000 b/d by 2002.

Following recent regulatory approval, construction of the first stage of Firebag is underway. With the addition of a second vacuum tower complex in its upgrader, Suncor expects Firebag will increase oil production to 260,000 b/d in 2005.