Shell Canada Energy, operator of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) joint venture, has received conditional Alberta Energy Regulator approval for expansion of its Jackpine oil sands mine about 70 km north of Fort McMurray, Alta.
The expansion would boost capacity of the mine to 300,000 b/d of bitumen from its current capacity of 200,000 b/d.
The conditional approval came after hearings held by a joint review panel, which has delivered its report to the federal environment minister for review and a decision under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act of 2012.
The review panel made 88 recommendations to the federal and provincial governments and set 22 conditions for Shell.
In addition to the Jackpine mine, the AOSP owns the Muskeg River Mine and Scotford Upgrader. The upgrader is site of the planned Quest carbon capture and storage project (OGJ Online, July 12, 2012).
AOSP interests are Shell Canada Energy 60% and Chevron Canada Ltd. and Marathon Oil Sands LP, 20% each.
