CALGARY and FORT MCKAY, AB, April 19 /CNW/ - Shell Canada Limited and Fort McKay First Nation today announced that they have entered into an agreement that outlines an exchange of options to acquire oil sands leases, specifically Shell's Lease 90 and Fort McKay oil sands lands received as part of its treaty land claim settlement. This innovative agreement recognizes the right and interest of Fort McKay First Nation to commercialize land received under its treaty land claim settlement by leasing it to Shell for potential incorporation into the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP), and receiving royalty payments on production. At the same time, the agreement facilitates the First Nation's entry into the oil sands business through an option to acquire and work with Shell on the development of Lease 90. "A lease of Fort McKay First Nation's land will be an excellent addition to our long-term business plan," said Clive Mather, Shell Canada's President & CEO. "While additional work with government is still to be done, this agreement has the potential to return real value to both Shell and Fort McKay for many years to come." "As an owner of oil sands lands and several oil sands service businesses, Fort McKay has a strong position in the oil sands today," said Fort McKay First Nation Chief Jim Boucher. "We are currently evaluating our options to participate with Shell in the development of Lease 90 and have agreed to grant Shell an option to lease part of our treaty land for development. "We are excited about the possibility of becoming an oil sands developer in our own right and in our own way for the benefit of our community." Fort McKay's Lease 90 development plans will be based on project economics and integration with the existing Muskeg River Mine. SNC Lavalin has been contracted to conduct initial front-end engineering work on which a cost estimate can be made. Lease development models under consideration range from Fort McKay providing mining services on Lease 90 to Fort McKay owning Lease 90 and managing the oil sands process from mining through to bitumen extraction and land reclamation. "We take a balanced view of development and know the effects development has on the land and our traditional way of life," said Chief Boucher. "However, development is occurring and from the mining phase, through the life cycle of the project and environmental reclamation, this is our opportunity to participate fully and build a long-term economic vision for Fort McKay." The Athabasca Oil Sands Project is a joint venture among Shell Canada Limited (60%), Chevron Canada Limited (20%) and Western Oil Sands L.P. (20%). Currently designed to produce 155,000 barrels of bitumen a day, Shell has announced plans to increase total AOSP production to more than 500,000 barrels of bitumen a day. Chevron Canada Limited and Western Oil Sands L.P. each have the option to participate with Shell in the development of its Athabasca oil sands leases. This option would extend to Shell's lease agreement with Fort McKay. Fort McKay First Nation is located approximately 65 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. The First Nation is composed of Cree and Dene people who have for generations practiced hunting, trapping, fishing and gathering along the Athabasca River.