By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Jan. 9 -- Enbridge Inc., Calgary, and Ensyn Group Inc., Boston, Mass., have formed a strategic alliance to develop Ensyn's heavy oil upgrading technology.
This year, Ensyn will build a 1,000 b/d demonstration plant at Enbridge's Hardisty terminal.
Robert Graham, president and CEO of Ensyn Group, said, "Enbridge's contribution of this strategic location and their role as technical advisor on transportation issues are important contributions to the commercial development of the technology."
Ensyn developed the proprietary rapid thermal processing procedure at a research facility in Greely, Ont. It is now using the process in commercial biomass applications to produce chemicals, liquid fuel, and food flavoring. The first commercial RTP facility was commissioned in 1989 and now five are in commercial operation.
Stephen Wuori, Enbridge group vice-president of planning and development, said, "We believe Ensyn's [RTP] technology has the potential to reduce diluent requirements for bitumen transportation, broaden markets for bitumen and heavy oil, and ultimately lead to additional expansion for both our mainline system and the Athabasca Pipeline."
Enbridge owns the Athabasca Pipeline, which has the capacity to move 570,000 b/d of heavy crude from the Alberta oil sands to the company's mainline connection at Hardisty.
