Syncrude Canada Ltd. has let two contracts to KBR for module fabrication and field construction of a full-scale plant for processing tailings from its oil sands mines northeast of Fort McMurray, Alta.

Laricina Energy Ltd. has amended its application for first-phase commercial development of its Saleski oil sands acreage in Alberta to use cyclic steam-assisted gravity drainage in a single horizontal well.

With global oil demand continuing to increase, the US will replace Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest oil producer about 2020, and North America will become a net oil exporter by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency.

Suncor Energy Inc. has let a contract to Fluor Corp. for front-end project management and engineering services for second-phase development of its MacKay River in situ oil sands project in the northern Athabasca region of Alberta.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) released its Recommended Practices for Responding to Stray Gas Incidents, the fourth in a series of guidance documents.

A study commissioned by Plains Exploration & Production Co. concluded hydraulic fracturing of two test wells at Inglewood oil field in Los Angeles County, Calif., indicated no detectable evidence that it might induce earthquakes or have negative consequences on groundwater quality, a consultant reported.

Policymakers across all levels of US government must guard against unnecessary or duplicative regulations that could impede investments in unconventional oil and gas plays, which already created jobs and boosted revenues for some states, American Petroleum Institute Chief Economist John Felmy said.

Baytex Energy Corp., Calgary, plans to begin pilot thermal recovery project next year on oil sands acreage it has acquired in the Cold Lake region of northeastern Alberta.

Reliance Industries Ltd., Mumbai, has signed documents with Petroleos de Venezuela SA for heavy-oil supply and joint exploration and development in the South American country’s Orinoco belt.

GMX Resources Inc., Oklahoma City, is adjusting its operating practices in an effort to improve results of Bakken completions in the Williston basin.

Cenovus Energy Inc., Calgary, has received court approval to buy the remaining assets of Oilsands Quest, which is being restructured under the Canadian Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, for $10 million.