Canada : Total increases its share in the Surmont oil sands leases to 50 %

abarrelfull wrote on 29 Mar 2013 12:46
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May 10, 2005

Total announces the purchase of an additional 6.5% stake in the Canadian Surmont leases. With the completion of this transaction Total will have a 50% stake alongside ConocoPhillips (operator). The Surmont oil sands project is in the Athabasca oil sands area, 60 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada.

The first phase of production will start in 2006 and reach 27,000 barrels per day of bitumen. This represents an important milestone in the development of the totality of Surmont reserves. Phase 2, which would involve the expansion of plateau production to 100,000 barrels per day by 2012, has been approved by the authorities of Alberta and is currently under study Further phases are targeted to take the production to a significantly higher level, depending on the results of the ongoing appraisal of the leases.

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 liquid state and pumped to the surface for further processing.

Total has extensive experience in producing heavy oils, notably in Venezuela where it is the majority shareholder in the Sincor project operating company, one of the largest extra-heavy oil recovery projects in the world. Innovative production technologies acquired through extensive research and development will allow Total to significantly expand its activities in Canada.

• Canada : Total increases its share in the Surmont oil sands leases to 50 %

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