By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 17 -- Suncor Energy Inc. said it plans to spend $3 billion to boost production capacity at its oil sands facility near Fort McMurray, Alta., to 330,000 b/d by late 2007and to 500,000-550,000 b/d by 2012. Advances include expansion of its oil sands upgrading facilities and development of the Firebag in-situ oil sands project.
The $1.5 billion upgrader expansion, submitted to regulators earlier this month, includes construction of a pair of coke drums, a sulfur recovery plant, and other crude oil processing equipment. Construction is slated for early 2004.
Suncor also will spend $1.5 billion to boost bitumen production at Firebag by developing three additional stages of the facility. Construction of the first stage is more than 80% complete.
These plans are in addition to existing oil sands growth projects that are expected to increase production to 260,000 b/d in 2005 from the current 225,000 b/d.
