Suncor’s $1.2 billion Syria natural gas project hits major milestone

CALGARY – Suncor Energy Inc. has kicked off commercial operations at its $1.2-billion Ebla natural gas development in Syria, one of many international assets it took on through its takeover of Petro-Canada last year.

Canada’s largest energy company began selling natural gas into the domestic market Monday, after successfully commissioning and testing the project’s wells, pipelines and other equipment.

 
“The team has delivered ahead of schedule, within budget and with a strong safety record,” Mark Little, senior vice-president, international and offshore, said in a statement.

 
“Achieving this significant milestone at the Ebla development is an outstanding example of the company’s project execution expertise.”

 
Ebla covers more than 1,250 square kilometres in the central part of the North African country, and includes gas producing wells, gas gathering and compression stations, about 80 kilometres of pipeline and a gas treatment plant.

 
It is designed to produce 80 million cubic feet of gas per day, for use in the Syrian market.

 
This past year, Suncor has been shedding assets that don’t fit with its oilsands-focused strategy. It has sold natural gas properties in Western Canada, the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, garnering proceeds of more than $1.54-billion so far.

 
However, the Calgary-based company has said the Syrian asset, as well as operations in Syria, Atlantic Canada and the North Sea are worth keeping.