Suncor to file for approval of 160,000-bpd Lewis thermal oilsands project

Suncor Energy says it will apply this year for provincial regulatory permission to build a new Alberta oilsands project that could eventually produce up to 160,000 barrels per day.

The Lewis project hasn't been officially sanctioned by Suncor, but the company says construction on its first phase may begin in 2024.

The project is located about 25 kilometres northeast of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta.

New technology

Suncor says it will consider using new technologies including vaporized solvents and electromagnetic heating to replace steam to produce the heavy bitumen crude through wells at Lewis, thus using less energy and water.

Suncor's proposed 80,000-bpd Meadow Creek East project south of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta received regulatory approval in March and an application has been filed for its 40,000-bpd Meadow Creek West project.

CEO Steve Williams said recently Suncor has options to build steam-driven projects that could produce some 400,000 bpd, but won't build any until after 2020.

• MORE ENERGY NEWS |Oilpatch watches nervously as B.C. heads to the polls
• MORE BUSINESS NEWS |Bitumen, beef, booze, berries and bees: What's at stake for Alberta in a U.S. trade war
• MORE ALBERTA NEWS |Mother fired while caring for son with cancer says Alberta rules must change