Syncrude 2021 Project Gryphon

We’ll complete our 2021 Project Gryphon scope safely and effectively with the support of the Building Trades unions and professional skilled tradespeople like you. For more than 50 years, Syncrude has been one of Canada’s most trusted, stable and reliable companies, and North America’s most respected oil sands operator.

Project Gryphon is a Turnaround Event on Syncrude’s 8-3 Coker and associated process units.

More than 2,000 craft personnel are required to execute the project.

Pre-Turnaround work will commence in late March 2021 for select trades; mechanical work will follow with a start date of April 1, 2021. Craft personnel will be working 10-hour shifts, while those supporting the Critical Path will be on 12-hour shifts; unless otherwise required.

Already part of the Gryphon Turnaround? Click here for all you need to know.

Accommodation will be provided and operated by Civeo Lodges, which are all located close to Syncrude’s Mildred Lake site. Guests will have private rooms and bus transportation will be provided between the Lodges and the Syncrude worksite.

Travel assistance protocol will be available to secure specific craft.

For your protection, COVID-19 safeguards and practices are in place at Syncrude worksites and the camp Lodges that Syncrude has secured for our Project Gryphon workforce. All workers are expected to adhere to these while working on our sites; they are in place for your safety as well as the health and well-being of other Syncrude workers and neighbouring communities. These measures include:

As we prepare to welcome teams to execute Syncrude’s 2021 Project Gryphon Event, focus and commitment from all workers will be required in order to carry out the plan safely. Safety has always been at the forefront of the way we work. Therefore, in order to create an environment where Nobody Gets Hurt it is important for us to all work together to adhere to the workplace health and safety processes across the Syncrude site and commit to following all procedures and guidelines. Our number one priority is always the health and safety of workers.

Syncrude has developed protocols to keep everyone safe against COVID-19. It is important for everyone to understand that these measures are for your safety and the safety of your co-workers. Our first and foremost priority is ensuring the safety of our people, including those who work for our contractor companies. In an effort to help stop the spread, Syncrude requires all workers to keep informed about our ongoing response to COVID-19 as we work together to protect all of our workers and their families.

“Throughout the pandemic, Syncrude’s dedication to safeguarding the health and well-being of its employees has been a shining example of how to protect workers in the oil sands. I’m pleased to say Syncrude is a leader in COVID-19 safety and I applaud them for working with stakeholders like BTA to put best practices in place – and adjust them as needed – to ensure worker safety remains paramount. Syncrude is a valued ally in the battle against workplace COVID-19.”
– Terry Parker, Executive Director, Building Trades of Alberta

“I have hundreds of members working in oil sands camps, and I can say with conviction, Syncrude continues to be a leader in COVID-19 safety for both camp workers and guests. Syncrude’s commitment to working with their partners, like UNITE HERE! Local 47, to put pandemic plans and protocols in place is a testament to their dedication to protecting its workforce during a very difficult time in our industry.”
Ian Robb, Canadian Director, UNITE HERE!
President/Administrator UNITE HERE! Local 47

“Syncrude, in collaboration with Diversified Transportation, has implemented comprehensive measures and actions to ensure the safety of our bus passengers. Sanitization after every shift, enhanced cleaning of units, seat barriers to further limit exposure and the addition of the electronic manifest are all layers of protection added for Syncrude workers.”
Sammy Mujahid
Syncrude Account Manager, Diversified Transportation

“Being born and raised in Fort McMurray, and seeing Syncrude’s community-minded response to COVID 19, has made my family and myself very proud to be part of the Syncrude Solution to maintaining a safe community and a safer workplace. Syncrude’s approach to the pandemic is evidence- and risk-based, and it continuously communicates changes to its contractor family without compromising our safety priorities.”
Abbas Abbas
Health, Safety & Sustainability Manager – Syncrude Site, Worley

“The measures put in place by Syncrude have given us the ability to execute work without the risk of a large-scale outbreak. When there have been positive cases, these measures have minimized the scale of close contacts to very few. Our workforce is happy with the set-up of trailers and change facilities. They are impressed with Syncrude’s work to protect them. The Health Centre and COVID-19 Response Team have been very helpful answering questions and providing guidance when a worker does demonstrate symptoms. Additionally, the communications and information shared with us has been helpful to educate and guide our workforce through these uncertain times.”
Navin Ramlogan
Project Manager, CIMS

“With COVID-19 affecting everyone’s day-to day-environment, Syncrude has again proven to be a safety leader. The company has taken aggressive measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and ensure strict adherence to Alberta Health Services (AHS)-mandated guidance. They have implemented, sustained and evolved many measures to keep people safe. These include protocols for travel, camp accommodations, and on-site facilities, and it’s great to see contractor companies involved in this process. We thank Syncrude and its Covid-19 Response Team for these efforts.”
Steve Jardine, Vice President
NorCan/Infinity

Syncrude’s Lodge provider, Civeo, has been working in close consultation with medical professionals, government health authorities, third-party experts, and their customers to proactively implement the COVID-19 safety measures found here: Civeo COVID-19 Statement

Civeo is operator of Athabasca and Beaver River Lodges, which will be the lodging and food hosts for Project Gryphon participants for the duration of your contract. Bus transportation between the Lodges and the Syncrude worksite is also complimentary and we will be providing uninterrupted transportation services from the Lodges to four designated work locations at Syncrude Mildred Lake Site. These buses will service Conversion, Utilities and Offsites as well as the Hydroprocessing areas via the following bus stops; 212 Ave., Bldg. 1055, Bldg. 51, Bldg. 1294 and MLV turnstiles. Syncrude issued electronic swipe cards will be required to board all busing services and ID cards will be swiped prior to disembarking the bus for Site Access. Busing schedules will be posted and available at the lodges and on the lodge provider websites for your convenience; please note these schedules are subject to frequent changes.

Travel to Fort McMurray and back to your home destination is your responsibility.

The Syncrude Mildred Lake site is about 50 km north of Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM).

The site is also immediately adjacent to Highway 63, which is now twinned.

One of the following must be presented:

In order to be able to receive a Syncrude ID Badge and site access individuals must be able to present authorized Government Issued Photo ID accepted by Syncrude:

Note – Accepted Provincial ID Cards for Non-Drivers:

Any of the above must be the original document, must be valid (e.g. not expired) and must include a photo. (e.g. A Temporary Driver’s License is not acceptable as there is no photo).

IMPORTANT – INDIVIDUALS WHO CANNOT PRESENT ANY OF THE ABOVE APPLICABLE ID WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ACCESS THE SYNCRUDE SITE FOR WORK.

Syncrude is a RSAP participating site.

Syncrude upholds all Alberta Building Trades Collective Agreements, which offer highly competitive wages for Skilled Trades in Canada. GPMC/NMC 2021 LOUs will apply to both 10- and 12-hour shifts.

“I’ve been coming to Syncrude since 1983 keep coming back because it is a leader in the industry, has a good work environment and good people working there. Syncrude also has the best scaffolding.” – Grant, Journeyman Boilermaker

“Syncrude’s safety standards are better than other sites I’ve worked on and their operating systems for shutdowns are very effective — I like that. Syncrude also has excellent relationships with the Building Trades unions and it values the quality craftsmanship that our members offer.” – Mark, Journeyman Boilermaker

“I like that I work with people and not for people — at Syncrude, you’re a team member. The atmosphere, the commitment to safety and the people make Syncrude a great place to work.” – Anthony, Operating Engineer

”Syncrude is recognized as a leader in the way it treats tradespeople, by offering a safe jobsite with good working conditions and accommodations.” – Warren Fraleigh, Executive Director, Building Trades of Alberta

“Syncrude has been the single best customer for the Building Trades unions since I first worked on the initial construction of the Syncrude plant in the 1970s.” – Robert Blakely, Canadian Operating Officer, Canada’s Building Trades Unions

Let’s Get Building! Ask your union hall about opportunities to work on Syncrude’s 2021 Project Gryphon Event with the following Building Trades contractors.