Sustainability at Suncor

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Renewable Fuels
We continue to make a significant impact in Canada’s emerging renewable fuels industry.
Digitalization
We’re increasingly harnessing digital technology capabilities to help improve the safety, productivity, reliability and environmental performance of our operations.
In situ overview
We are advancing a portfolio of in situ technologies to lower the carbon intensity of producing bitumen and improve the cost competitiveness.
Mining overview
Our oil sands mining projects produce a reliable, long-term energy supply while using technology to minimize environmental impact.
Reclamation overview
We’re aggressively working to accelerate the pace of progressive reclamation of disturbed land at our mining and in situ locations.
Social overview
Social innovation considers the whole system to address business and community needs.
Upgrading overview
We continue to look for opportunities to minimize environmental intensity throughout the processes of extraction and production of oil to manufacturing and distributing fuels.
Advanced analytics
Representing a broad range of solutions, advanced analytics allows for sophisticated data mining that produces deeper insights into patterns and trends across our assets and workforce.
Autonomous haulage systems
We are proceeding with the phased implementation of autonomous haulage systems (AHS) at company-operated mines.
Decarbonization
Decarbonization is a strategic focus area for technology development at Suncor – reliable, less energy intensive processes will be needed to realize the benefits.
Lake Miwasin
The demonstration pit lake (DPL), now known as Lake Miwasin, is part of our aquatic closure technology development program that is designed to ensure we can successfully reclaim mine sites.
Electric vehicle charging network
Canadians can now drive coast to coast in an electric vehicles (EV) using our EV fast charging stations across the country through our Petro-CanadaTM brand.
Froth treatment tailings
Using a light hydrocarbon to help remove most of the water and mineral from bitumen froth.
High temperature reverse osmosis produced water treatment
A high temperature membrane plant could reduce the energy required and infrastructure for the SAGD water treatment process.
In Situ Demonstration Facility
The In Situ Demonstration Facility (ISDF) will be a place where we can optimize and test our Solvent+ technologies. This facility will be flexible in its design enabling Suncor to pilot and test multiple heating options.
Industry collaborations
We participate in industry organizations that work to improve the industry’s environmental, social and economic performance.
Partial upgrading
We are advancing research in low temperature thermal vis breaking to examine the potential for bitumen to be upgraded.
Nikanotee fen
We were one of the first companies in the world to complete reconstruction of this type of wetland.
Non-aqueous extraction
We are pursuing new technologies in surface mining and bitumen extraction that could reduce or eliminate the need for water.
Paraffinic froth treatment
We selectively remove part of the asphaltenes to create a lighter, higher quality bitumen that requires less diluent and no upgrading requirements.
Permanent aquatic storage structure
Permanent aquatic storage structure (PASS) is a fluid tailings treatment process to significantly increase the amount of fluid tailings we can treat in a more sustainable manner.
Remote sensing technologies
Opportunities to reduce safety risks are always a priority, and remote sensing technologies provide solutions that are quick, safe and cost-efficient.
  • Drones
  • Wireless employee monitor
Robotic process automation
We see intelligent business process automation as a key digital enabler to deliver high-value business transformation.
Journey of Reconciliation
Our relationship with Indigenous communities over the past 40 years has been a journey. We know that earning the trust and support of Indigenous Peoples and communities is foundational to our business.
Solvent+
Suncor is focused on solvents as an alternative to steam in recovering bitumen from in situ reservoirs.
  • Solvent+ wellbore heating
    A variant of Solvent+ wherein the primary mode of heat addition to the process is in the horizontal section of the solvent injection well.
  • Solvent+ superheat
    A variant of Solvent+ wherein the primary mode of heat addition to the process is at the surface through the heating of solvent well beyond its vapourization temperature.
  • Solvent+ Electromagnetic (EASE)
    A variant of Solvent+ wherein the primary mode of heat addition to the process is in the reservoir through the use of electromagnetic (EM) energy.
  • ESEIEH®
    With the ESEIEH® process, steam is replaced by electromagnetic heating and solvent.
Heavy Oil Late Life Energy Recovery (HOLLER)
A technology that injects tailings water into end-of-life SAGD chambers, providing the opportunity to dispose of mine tailings water safely while reducing GHGs.
Steam-solvent technologies
The steam enhancements technology portfolio encompasses all improvements to the SAGD recovery process including the addition of solvent, non-condensable gases and chemical additives as well as improvements to start-up processes
Wellbore enhancements
Improving the reliability of SAGD assets creates opportunities to be more efficient with oil recovery while using less energy and water.
TonyC
The product is used by the control room operators, supported by business translators, to evaluate current operating conditions and make recommendations for various set points to improve plant performance.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is an emissions-free energy source currently used as part of our refining operations. We believe, however, that there’s opportunity beyond its current use as a new value chain.
Cloud-based refinery digitization
Currently, we are piloting the integration of cloud computing at the Montreal refinery to capture, analyze and provide recommendations to the facility using our existing operations process data.
Carbon Capture and Storage
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a GHG emission reduction alternative that captures the carbon dioxide (CO2) created primary during the combustion of fossil fuels in different industries and stores it in underground formations safely and permanently, preventing emissions from entering the atmosphere.
Asphaltenes to Carbon Fibre
Asphaltenes to Carbon fibre is a Suncor-led project that develops carbon fibre products from recovered bitumen-derived asphaltenes.