Total and ConocoPhillips have begun production from the Surmont 2 oil sands project in Alberta, Canada.
The project, southeast of Fort McMurray in the Athabasca region, uses steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) technology to heat the reservoir, adding 118,000 barrels of oil per day gross capacity by 2017.
Surmont is a joint venture between ConocoPhillips (50%, operator) and Total.
“This is Total’s fifth startup since the beginning of the year and it contributes to our upstream growth” said Arnaud Breuillac, president exploration and production.
“Surmont will produce substantial reserves, with a long plateau that will generate cash flow for decades to come.”
Gross capacity for Surmont 1 and 2 is expected to reach 150,000 barrels of oil per day.