published Mon, February 20, 2012
Statoil plans further oil sand expansion
Norway’s Statoil intends to increase its Canadian oil sands project despite criticism from several quarters.
According to Aftenbladet, the announcement comes just weeks
following earlier statements by Statoil executive VP and CFO,
Torgrim Reitan.
"Our oil sands operation in Canada is progressing. The Leismer
project had a good start-up and production is increasing," he
stated.
Leismer's first oil yield was in January 2011, and there are
plans to step production capacity up to the expected 18,000
barrels-a-day within the next 24 months.
Corner expansion
Statoil's four Canadian production licenses under its Kai Kos
Deh oil sands project in the Athabasca region, northeast Alberta,
consist of Leismer, Corner, Hangingstone, and Thornberry.
"Corner expansion is up next, where we will once again be using
our own technology," concluded Mr Reitan.
Meanwhile, the company says it has put forward a plan to lower
greenhouse gas emissions from oil sands to average levels for oil
consumed in North America, according to press spokesperson Bård
Glad Pedersen.
He told Aftenbladet, "Figures from the International Energy
Agency (IEA) show that oil from oil sands will be necessary to meet
world energy needs, even within the two-degree target."
"Our task is to develop these resources as effectively as
possible, also from an environmental perspective. We can contribute
to evolve industry to reduce the effects of global warming through
the development of technology."
"Statoil will continue open reporting about our progress in the
work to reduce CO2 emissions," he added.
Date: 20/02/2012