The
Diluent, a light oil mixed with sticky, heavy bitumen to allow it to flow in a pipeline, makes up as much as a third of the volume of blended bitumen or "dilbit."
The resulting heavy crude will be sent by Canadian Pacific in railcars to a new terminal in
Gibson says ConocoPhillips Canada, which owns the Surmont thermal oilsands project in northern
Oilsands producer
Gibson says the resulting "DRUbit" oil will be in a more concentrated, viscous state that creates safety and environmental benefits when transported by rail.
It says it is in talks with other potential producer and refiner customers to take up the other 50,000 bpd of capacity.
“We expect DRUs to be a critical part of solving the egress challenges western Canadian producers are facing, both today and over the long-term,” said Gibson CEO
“Improved netbacks for producers will drive increased oilfield and related business activity, create new jobs and help revive communities as well as positively benefit all levels of government through increased royalties and other levies.”
This report by
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