CALGARY, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Suncor Energy Inc. reported today that production at its oil sands facility during September averaged approximately 232,000 barrels per day (bpd), including 223,000 bpd of synthetic crude oil and approximately 9,000 bpd of bitumen sold directly to the market.
Year-to-date oil sands production at the end of September averaged approximately 258,000 bpd, including 253,000 bpd of synthetic crude oil and approximately 5,000 bpd of bitumen sold directly to the market. September production was lower than design capacity due to maintenance on one of the company's two upgraders. The maintenance was successfully completed on schedule and the facility was returned to full production.
Suncor is targeting average oil sands production of 260,000 bpd of synthetic crude oil in 2006, although non-upgraded bitumen may be sold from time to time depending on certain market and operational conditions.
On a monthly basis, Suncor reports production numbers from its oil sands operation in order to provide stakeholders with a more timely review of operational performance. These numbers are preliminary and subject to adjustment. Monthly totals may differ from year-to-date total due to rounding, the impact of sales and changes in inventory. Production volumes will be confirmed when Suncor's third quarter results are released October 26, 2006.
This news release contains a forward-looking statement identified by the word "targeting", which is based on Suncor's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions made in light of its experiences and the risks, uncertainties and other factors related to its business. Actual events could differ materially as a result of changes to Suncor's plans and the impact of events, risks and uncertainties discussed in Suncor's current annual information form, annual and quarterly reports to shareholders and other documents filed with regulatory authorities.
Suncor Energy Inc. is an integrated energy company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. Suncor's oil sands business, located near Fort McMurray, Alberta, extracts and upgrades oil sands and markets refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, while operations throughout Western Canada produce natural gas. Suncor operates a refining and marketing business in Ontario with retail distribution under the Sunoco brand. U.S.A. downstream assets include refining operations in Colorado and retail sales in the Denver area under the Phillips 66(R) brand. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.
Sunoco in Canada is separate and unrelated to Sunoco in the United States, which is owned by Sunoco, Inc. of Philadelphia. Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. is an authorized licensee of the Phillips 66(R) brand and marks in the state of Colorado.
