Oil Sands News Releases
Province issues RFP to upgrade bitumen royalty-in-kind (July 21, 2009)
Initiative will spur new investment in value-added activity
Edmonton... To increase bitumen upgrading capacity, enhance Alberta’s value-added activity and strengthen Alberta’s economy, the Alberta government has issued a Request for Proposals to process a share of royalty bitumen within the province.
Emissions from oil sands comparable to other crude oils (July 23, 2009)
Calgary... Two independent studies have found direct emissions from producing, transporting and refining oil sands crude are in the same range as those of the other crudes refined in the United States.
The Life-Cycle Analysis of North American and Imported Crude Oils is based on two independent studies that comprise the first robust comparison of domestic, imported and oil sands crude processes in U.S. refineries. The research, conducted over the past year by U.S.-based consulting companies Jacobs Consultancy and TIAX LLC, was funded by the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI).
Government moves forward on carbon capture projects (June 30, 2009)
Edmonton... The Alberta government has completed its evaluation of projects applying for $2 billion in funding for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.
As a result, government officials will pursue letters of intent with proponents of the three following projects:
- Enhance / Northwest for The Alberta Carbon Trunk Line
- EPCOR/Enbridge for an integrated gasification combined-cycle carbon capture power generation
- Shell Canada Energy/ Chevron Canada Ltd./ Marathon Oil Sands L.P. (Scotford Upgrader)
Alberta's Bitumen Production Forecast To Continue To Grow (June 10, 2009) ERCB release
Alberta expected to produce over 3 million barrels of oil per day by 2018
Calgary, Alberta... The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has released its annual report Alberta's Reserves 2008 and Supply/Demand Outlook 2009-2018. Based on the ERCB’s own geological and technical analysis, this report is a source of information on the state of reserves and the supply and demand for Alberta's diverse energy resources: bitumen, crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, coal, and sulphur. It includes estimates of reserves at December 31, 2008 and a 10-year supply/demand forecast for each resource. A supply/demand forecast of electricity in Alberta is also provided. The report also includes historical data for energy resources production.
Oil sands developer commits to upgrading capacity (March 23, 2009)
Fort Hills Energy will reimburse Alberta taxpayers if plans fall through
Edmonton... Alberta is poised to see an increase in its oil sands upgrader capacity. In an agreement reached late last week, the Fort Hills Energy Corporation committed to increase upgrading capacity in Alberta in exchange for an extension of two oil sands leases 90 kilometres north of Fort McMurray. If the company is unable to follow through on its value-added plans, it will reimburse Alberta taxpayers up to $500 million in lost revenue.
Province announces three-point incentive program for energy sector (March 3, 2009)
Short-term initiative to stimulate new and continued economic activity
Edmonton…The Government of Alberta has announced a new three-point incentive program designed to help keep Albertans working in the province’s energy sector during the current global economic slowdown. Read More - Royalty Information - Fact Sheet 
- FAQ Incentive program - New Well Reduction - Orphan Well Grant Agreement and Workplan
ERCB and Alberta Environment call for input on thermal in situ oil sands water use (February 18, 2009)
New directive to save an estimated 220.5 million barrels of fresh water over 10 years
Calgary... The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) and Alberta Environment are calling for feedback from stakeholders on a draft directive, which proposes new requirements for the measurement, reporting, and use of water in thermal in situ oil sands operations that will save an estimated 220.5 million barrels of fresh water over the next 10 years.
Province outlines long-term development plan for Alberta's oil sands (February 12, 2009)
20-year strategic plan outlines vision for sustainable and responsible growth
Fort McMurray... The Government of Alberta has released a comprehensive 20-year strategic plan for Alberta’s oil sands that aims to reduce the environmental footprint, optimize economic growth, and increase the quality of life in Alberta’s oil sands regions. “When it comes to Alberta’s oil sands, we believe that Canada can be a leader in finding innovative ways to ensure both economic growth and greater environmental protection,” said Lloyd Snelgrove, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Oil Sands Sustainable Development Secretariat.
Government of Alberta and Syncrude reach new Crown agreement (November 18, 2008)
Syncrude partners agree to pay $975 million in additional royalties
Edmonton...The Government of Alberta and the Syncrude joint venture owners have reached an agreement that will see the owners pay $975 million in additional royalties beginning in 2010 through 2015. This provides for full implementation of the New Royalty Framework by 2009 and meets the government’s objectives for negotiated revisions to Crown agreements.
Energy Minister to showcase Alberta’s commitment to responsible energy development at World Petroleum Congress in Spain (June 23, 2008)
Minister will also speak to investors in London, England
Edmonton… Alberta Energy Minister Mel Knight will highlight Alberta’s work to ensure the sustainable development of our resources at the World Petroleum Congress June 29 – July 3 in Madrid, Spain. Knight will present a keynote address at the congress on July 3 and will also travel to London, England to speak to the business community at the Canada-U.K. Chamber of Commerce on July 7.
Announcement follows analysis of New Royalty Framework unintended consequences
Calgary... The Government of Alberta has introduced two new royalty programs designed to encourage the continued development of deep, high-cost oil and gas reserves. The resulting exploration and development are expected to generate additional jobs and royalty revenues for Albertans.
Province to improve royalty system evaluation and public reporting (April 7, 2008)
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta will implement 13 recommendations to enhance how the performance of the royalty regime is measured and how that performance is reported back to Albertans.
The recommendations were included by former provincial Auditor General Peter Valentine in his report Building Confidence: Improving Accountability and Transparency in Alberta’s Royalty System.
Ottawa/Edmonton — The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Mel Knight, Alberta Minister of Energy, today released the final report of the Canada–Alberta ecoENERGY Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force. The report, entitled Canada’s Fossil Energy Future: The Way Forward on Carbon Capture and Storage, provides advice on how governments and industry can work together to facilitate and support the development of carbon capture and storage opportunities in Canada.
Canada's Fossil Energy Future
Suncor to pay up to 20% more royalties under new agreement (January 29, 2008)
Negotiations continue with Syncrude Canada
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta and Suncor Energy Inc. have reached an agreement that will see the company pay increased royalties starting in 2010—a full six years before its existing Crown agreement was scheduled to expire.
Province supports new projects to study innovative energy development (November 13, 2007)
Edmonton…Two new and innovative projects that will explore environmentally sustainable ways to recover previously untapped energy resources have been given the green light thanks to an investment by the Alberta government.
The projects focus on developing new energy supplies from existing oil and bitumen deposits. The projects will receive royalty adjustments totaling about $16.5 million under Alberta Energy’s Innovative Energy Technologies Program (IETP).
Province to capture feedback on royalty recommendations Government also hearing from industry as part of thorough analysis (September 25, 2007)
Edmonton... To capture all the feedback on the royalty review recommendations, the Alberta government has set up a special website for Albertans to send in their comments. “The decision on the royalty report will affect Alberta and our energy sector for decades to come,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “While the formal consultation is over, we have not stopped listening. We want to make sure that people who have comments send them to the right place so we can consider this input as part of the review process.”
Royalty Review Panel final report released to public
Government to respond by mid-October (September 18, 2007)
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta has publicly released the final report of an expert panel asked to examine the province’s energy royalty and tax regime, following through on a commitment to make the royalty review process open and transparent. Entitled Our Fair Share, the 104-page report provides recommendations about how the government can modify the existing provincial royalty structure.
Final oil sands reports set a framework for the future (July 25, 2007)
Edmonton... Setting out a vision and identifying principles to guide the future development of Alberta’s oil sands are highlighted in the Oil Sands Consultations Multistakeholder Committee (MSC) Final Report and the Aboriginal Consultation Final Report.
Energy sector teams up to tackle labour challenges (July 10, 2007)
Calgary... Alberta's energy associations and employers are taking action to address labour shortages with the release of A Workforce Strategy for Alberta's Energy Sector which contains 46 new actions for recruiting, retaining, and developing the workforce.
Second Phase of Oil Sands Consultations Scheduled for Eight Communities (March 22, 2007)
Edmonton... A Multistakeholder Committee is moving ahead with the second phase of consultations to hear from Albertans on oil sands development. Slated to begin March 28, the Oil Sands Multistakeholder Committee (MSC) will again travel throughout the province to share the findings gathered in the Phase I Interim Report and garner additional feedback from Albertans.
Interim oil sands consultation report outlines vision for development (January 25, 2007)
Further feedback sought from Albertans
Edmonton... Following consultations with the public, a multistakeholder committee (MSC) has developed an interim report, which identifies a vision and principles for the future of oil sands development in Alberta.
