Syncrude Canada Ltd. has filed an application asking regulators to approve a $400 million project to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions from Syncrude’s Mildred Lake Upgrader
FORT McMURRAY, Alberta – Syncrude Canada Ltd. has filed an application asking regulators to approve a $400 million project to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions from Syncrude’s Mildred Lake Upgrader. The application was jointly filed with the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and Alberta Environment.
If approved, the project will reduce sulphur dioxide emissions by over 50 per cent from the Upgrader’s currently approved levels of 245 tonnes per day. Other emissions, such as particulate matter and metals, will also be reduced.
As we move forward with our growth plans, we are also focused on the sustainability of our operation. This emissions reduction project will play a key role in managing cumulative effects and maintaining high air quality in the Wood Buffalo region.
Eric newell
Syncrude Chairman and CEO
Combined with flue gas scrubbing and sulphur reduction processes in the Upgrader expansion project, now under construction, this voluntary initiative will reduce total sulphur dioxide emissions from Syncrude operations despite increasing crude oil production.
The emission reduction program will involve retrofitting a multi-train flue gas scrubbing system into the operation of Syncrude’s two existing cokers. Approximately $12-15 million will be spent in 2003 on engineering work. If the project is approved, procurement and construction expenditures would occur post 2005, following completion of the Upgrader expansion, and would extend to 2009 as the tie-ins must be coordinated with regularly scheduled maintenance work.
Syncrude’s program to reduce emissions at source complements its production of low sulphur crude oil, called Syncrude Sweet Blend, which helps refiners reduce downstream emissions associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. As one of the lowest-sulphur crude oils in the marketplace, Syncrude Sweet Blend commands a premium price and is attractive to a wide variety of refiners. The product generates higher taxes and royalties for governments and benefits all Albertans and Canadians.
Joint Venture Ownership
The Syncrude Project is a joint venture operated by Syncrude Canada Ltd. and owned by, AEC Oil Sands Limited Partnership (now Canadian Oil Sands Limited Partnership), Canadian Oil Sands Investments Inc., Conoco Oil Sands Partnership, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Ltd., Murphy Oil Company Ltd. Nexen Inc. and Petro-Canada.
Trading Symbols for Public Syncrude Joint Venture Owners:
| AEC Oil Sands Limited Partnership | ECA-TSX/ECA-NYSE |
| Canadian Oil Sands Trust(via Canadian Oil Sands Limited) | COS.UN-TSX |
| ConocoPhillips Oilsands Partnership II | COP/NYSE |
| Imperial Oil Resources | IMO-TSX |
| Murphy Oil Company Ltd. | MUR-NYSE |
| Nexen Inc. | NXY-TSX/NYSE |
| Petro-Canada | PCA-TSX/PCZ-NYSE |
