Shifting sands

High oil prices and a lack of accessibility to reserves are reawakening oil majors' interest in Canada's oil sands. David Watkins looks at their potential and at the challenges involved in this capital-intensive mining operation

The recent US$15-billion oil sands deal between ConocoPhillips and EnCana has reinvigorated the debate over the viability of such projects in Canada's Athabasca region.

Under the deal, bitumen extracted from EnCana's existing operations in Alberta will be shipped to the US for refining. EnCana is to contribute US$7.5 billion to the refining venture, while ConocoPhillips will invest US$7.5 billion in the oil sands business over the next decade. The aim is to increase heavy-oil processing capacity

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here