Total launches first phase of the Surmont heavy oil sands project
Posted: 15 December 2003
Total announces the company's approval for the launching of the
first phase of the Surmont oil sands project in Athabasca, 60 kilometers
southeast of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada.
The first phase of production will start in 2006 and reach 27,000
barrels per day of bitumen. It represents an important milestone
in the development of the totality of Surmont reserves.
The Surmont oil sands project uses Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage
(SAGD), a method that involves the injection of steam deep into
the oil sands. The steam melts the bitumen, which is then recovered
in its semi-liquid state and pumped to the surface for further processing.
"With the approval of this project, Total is also marking
its commitment to developing and adding the Surmont oil sands to
its very significant reserves of heavy oil," affirms Christophe
de Margerie Total's president of Exploration and Production. "Once
more Total is demonstrating how improvements in technology coupled
with the hard work of our employees and partners are making it possible
to develop resources set in difficult physical environments."
Total holds a 43.5 per cent stake in the Surmont permit in partnership
with ConocoPhillips, operator with 43.5 per cent, and Devon 13 per
cent.
For more information see www.total.com.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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