Syncrude Canada Ltd. 2004 Sustainability Report
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Toward Sustainable Growth

Toward Sustainable Growth

Sustainable growth remains a key objective for Syncrude. We understand that we have many stakeholders who wish to stay informed about the impacts of our operation and discuss some areas of comon interest in this section. Further information on the work undertaken in 2004 and beyond is discussed throughout the balance of this report.

  Future Plans Expected Results
Production & Product
  • Increase production to 350,000 barrels per day by 2006 and possibly to 500,000 in the future
  • Improve product quality to higher grade Syncrude Sweet Premium
  • Sustained production at increased levels through expanded upgrading capacity and long-life mines.
  • Meet market demand for premium quality product with lower sulphur and nitrogen content
  • Downstream refineries will more easily produce cleaner burning, more environmentally friendly petroleum products.
Employment
  • Create and support strategic education and training programs
  • Implement Workforce Development strategies
  • Create a supportive work environment
  • Workforce sustainability through education and training initiatives that create qualified new employees and retain current employees
Infrastructure Needs
  • Work with regional associations and governments to highlight the risk that oil sands growth will be constrained by a lack of public infrastructure and services needed to support a growing local community
  • Ongoing investments in community infrastructure
  • Increased infrastructure funding for health, education, roads, and recreation
  • Improved quality of life in the Wood Buffalo region
  • Unconstrained oil sands development
SO2 and Particulate Emissions
  • Investment in emissions reduction technology for existing cokers by 2009
  • Reduction in total SO2 emissions by 60% from current levels and particulate matter by 50% even while production grows by 40%
Land Reclamation
  • Continued land reclamation progress
  • Continued work with Land Reclamation Technical Advisory Panel of external experts
  • Reclaim 361 additional hectares in 2005
  • Land reclamation that is consistent with closure plans
Water
  • Technology development aimed at reduced fresh water consumption and increased recycled water use
  • Optimization and efficient utilization of fresh water resources
  • Continuous improvement in fresh water use per barrel of oil produced
Energy and Climate Change
  • Investment in technology to reduce energy consumption and improve bitumen recovery and upgrading yields
  • Dedicated energy efficiency specialists and energy conservation assessments on processes and equipment
  • Continued reduction in energy intensity
  • Furthur reductions in emissions of CO2 per barrel of production
Aboriginal Relations
  • Continued focus on six key Aboriginal Development commitment areas:
    Corporate Leadership
    Employment
    Business Development
    Education
    Community Develpment
    Environment
  • Continued improvement of Aboriginal participation in secondary and post-secondary education
  • Aboriginal representation in the workforce that is consistent with regional demographics
  • Continued develpment of sustainable Aboriginal business enterprises
Safety
  • Continued investment in training, incentives and other initiatives to facilitate furthur improvements in workplace safety
  • Progress toward our long-term objective of an injury-free workplace
  • Safety performance that continues to lead Alberta industry