CALGARY, Nov. 21 /CNW/ - Shell Canada announces Shell Enhance(TM) froth
treatment technology, the first commercial application of an innovative high
temperature froth treatment processing technology that will reduce costs and
improve energy efficiency in oil sands production.
Developed by Shell Canada with the help of government scientists at
Natural Resources Canada's CANMET Energy Technology Centre facility in Devon,
Alberta, Shell Enhance froth treatment technology uses high temperatures in
the paraffinic froth treatment process to more efficiently remove sand, fine
clay particles and other impurities from oil sands froth. Froth is the mixture
of oil, solids and water that results from the extraction process. By
processing froth at a higher temperature, Shell Canada will be able to use
smaller equipment, less water and less energy per barrel than conventional low
temperature paraffinic processing. By saving energy, greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions associated with oil sands production are also reduced.
"Shell Canada's commercialization of Shell Enhance demonstrates the
importance of new technology in the responsible development of the oil sands
to help meet Canada's energy needs," said Clive Mather, President and CEO,
Shell Canada Limited. "It also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the
principles of sustainable development."
"Canada's New Government is committed to clean energy as part of our
environmental approach for clean air and water," said the Honourable Gary
Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. "This technology demonstrates Shell
Canada's dedication to innovative solutions, and is a great example of how
governments and industry can work together to develop clean technologies."
Shell Enhance froth treatment technology is a process that removes sand,
fine clay and water from oil sands froth to make clean bitumen suitable for
upgrading via hydrogen addition, which is the upgrading method used at Shell
Canada's Scotford Upgrader near Edmonton. Shell Enhance will use higher
temperatures to make the separation process happen at a faster and more
efficient rate, utilizing less energy.
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Compared to Shell Canada's current paraffinic froth treatment processes,
Shell Enhance offers the following benefits:
- improves energy efficiency by 10 per cent (about 40,000 tonnes of
greenhouse gas per year)
- uses plot space 35 per cent smaller and essential equipment
75 per cent smaller
- uses 10 per cent less water, and
- can be modularized, generating construction efficiencies and reducing
costs.
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Shell Enhance froth treatment technology will be utilized in the first
expansion of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP), which was formally
launched on November 1, 2006.
Completed in 2003, the AOSP was the first new integrated oil sands
project in more than 25 years and uses innovative technology in its oil sands
extraction and upgrading processes. The AOSP is the first oil sands project to
be ISO 14001 registered demonstrating commitment to continuous improvement in
all aspects of operational and environmental performance.
The AOSP consists of the Muskeg River Mine located north of Fort
McMurray, Alberta and the Scotford Upgrader located near Edmonton, and is a
joint venture among Shell Canada Limited (60 per cent), Chevron Canada Limited
(20 per cent) and Western Oil Sands L.P. (20 per cent).
Note to Editors:
Shell Canada Limited is a large integrated petroleum company in Canada
with three major businesses. Exploration & Production explores for, produces
and markets natural gas and natural gas liquids. Oil Sands is responsible for
an integrated bitumen mining and upgrading operation and Shell Canada's in
situ bitumen business in Alberta. Oil Products manufactures, distributes and
markets refined petroleum products across Canada.
NRCan's CANMET Energy Technology Centre (CETC) in Devon is the Government
of Canada's primary research group for the development of hydrocarbon supply
technologies and related environmental technologies, with an emphasis on oil
sands and heavy oil.
Cautionary Note
This document contains "forward-looking statements" based upon
management's assessment of the Company's future operations. These
forward-looking statements include references to the effects and benefits of
the Company's froth treatment technology, including increased operational
efficiency. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the
expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable
based on the information available to it on the date of this document, there
can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
Forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and
unknown risks, and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual
performance or results to differ materially from any estimates or projections
of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, the continued viability of the Company's froth treatment
technology, operational reliability and other factors, many of which are
beyond the control of the Company. The forward-looking statements contained in
this document are made as of the date of this document and the Company does
not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any of the
forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The
forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified
by this cautionary note.
