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Expansion of oil sands upgrader goes on-stream


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Shell today announced the successful start of production from its Scotford Upgrader Expansion project in Canada. The 100,000 barrels-per-day expansion takes upgrading capacity at Scotford to 255,000 barrels-per-day of heavy oil from the Athabasca oil sands.

“This start-up is an important milestone for our heavy oil business,” said Marvin Odum, Shell Upstream Americas Director. “And it adds new capacity from an important source of oil in a world requiring more secure energy.”

Today’s announcement marks the first commercial production from the upgrader expansion. The Scotford Upgrader processes oil sands bitumen – heavy oil – from the Muskeg River Mine and Jackpine Mine, for use in refined oil products.

With production capacity at the Athabasca Oil Sands Project now at 255,000 barrels-per-day, engineers will focus on improving operating efficiencies and adding capacity through debottlenecking.

Design and engineering work also continues on the proposed Quest carbon capture and storage project at the Scotford Upgrader. Quest could capture and store underground some 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year. A final decision to begin construction could come in 2012, once all regulatory approvals are in place.

Shell Canada Energy is 60% owner and operator of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) along with Chevron Canada Limited (20%) and Marathon Oil Corporation (20%). The AOSP includes the Muskeg River Mine, Jackpine Mine and Scotford Upgrader.

Notes to editors

Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 90 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com.

Shell Canada Ltd
Shell has been operating in Canada since 1911 and employs approximately 8,000 people across the country. A leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of refined petroleum products, Shell produces natural gas, natural gas liquids and bitumen, and is Canada’s largest producer of sulphur. Shell is one of Canada’s oil sands developers and operates the Athabasca Oil Sands Projects on behalf of the joint venture partners.


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