ConocoPhillips moves forward with Surmont expansion

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 19 -- ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp. said it will start construction this year of the second-phase of its steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) Surmont oil sands project in Alberta. The company expects production from Phase 2 to start in 2015.

Phase 2 will increase Surmont bitumen production capacity to 110,000 b/d from 27,000 b/d, the company said. Production from Phase 1 started in October 2007.

Surmont is a joint venture of ConocoPhillips and Total E&P Canada Ltd. The project lies in the Athabasca oil sands region about 40 miles southeast of Fort McMurray.