- All three froth trains operational; doubles overall Kearl
production capacity
- Project captured efficiencies, lessons learned from initial
development
- Incorporates technologies to significantly enhance
environmental performance
CALGARY, June 16, 2015 /CNW/ - Imperial today announced
the successful startup of the Kearl oil sands expansion project,
with all three froth trains operational. Production from the
expansion project is expected to ultimately reach 110,000 barrels
per day, bringing total production from Kearl to 220,000 barrels
per day*.
"Startup of the Kearl expansion project was achieved with a
disciplined focus on safety, project management and operational
excellence," said Rich Kruger,
Imperial chairman and CEO. "Completed ahead of schedule, the
project benefited significantly from Imperial's 'design-one/build
multiple' approach, ExxonMobil's expertise in project planning and
execution, strong relationships with Alberta-based contractors, and lessons learned
from the Kearl initial development."
"The overall Kearl development represents the next generation of
oil-sands mining," said Kruger. "Using Imperial's proprietary
paraffinic froth treatment process, we eliminated the need for an
onsite upgrader, significantly reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
Specifically, on a well-to-wheels basis, Kearl diluted bitumen has
about the same greenhouse-gas emissions footprint as the average
crude refined today in the United
States. Energy consumption has also been reduced by
installing electrical cogeneration technology."
Other environmental innovations include on-site water storage to
eliminate withdrawals from the Athabasca River in low-flow periods,
progressive land and tailings reclamation, and a state-of-the-art
waterfowl deterrent system.
Construction of the Kearl expansion involved 33 million work
hours and employed a peak workforce of more than 5,000 people. The
project team and construction workforce achieved industry-leading
safety performance. Of the project's approximately $9 billion investment, 90 percent was spent with
Canadian companies based in Alberta. Nearly $500 million was directed to local suppliers and
contractors in the Wood Buffalo region, of which about 25 percent
are Aboriginal-owned and operated.
The Kearl initial development commenced production in
April 2013. Kearl bitumen production
has been processed in more than 25 refineries throughout
North America and elsewhere in the
world. Located about 75 kilometres northeast of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Kearl is expected to
recover approximately 4.6 billion barrels of bitumen over an
estimated project life of more than 40 years.
*156,000 barrels Imperial's share
After more than a century, Imperial continues
to be an industry leader in applying technology and innovation to
responsibly develop Canada's
energy resources. As Canada's
largest petroleum refiner, a major producer of crude oil and
natural gas, a key petrochemical producer and a leading fuels
marketer from coast to coast, our company remains committed to high
standards across all areas of our business.
SOURCE Imperial Oil Limited