What does it take for a company to become the best of its kind? Because the petroleum related markets did very well recently before the Iraqi War, Canada's economy got better for every success. Let's examine some of the companies that have contributed to Canada's economy.

SYNCRUDE CANADA LIMITED

   Syncrude was established in 1978 and has become the world's largest producer of light crude oil. Syncrude supplies 13% of Canada's demand for oil. Syncrude has taken interest in many projects, such as the Syncrude 21 in the North Mine in October 1998. In fact, Syncrude has spent $6 billion capital on projects. Syncrude's active participation in projects allowed it to double its resource of oil to 150 million barrels per year, since 1999. Syncrude has taken part in the development in the potential Athabasca oil sands region, working on the Aurora project to discover plentiful bitumen. Truck-shovels were used in the process of mining. Froth pumping was developed and used because of water's excellent natural lubricity. The grand innovation brought on by this company was hydro-transport used for transportation of the extracted substance.

SUNCOR ENERGY INCORPORATION

   Since Suncor started Project Millennium, production has doubled. Suncor expected 22 000 barrels of production by 2002. There were two phases planned to Project Millenium. The first Production Enhancement Phase targeted 135 000 barrels of bitumen by 2001, which would cost Suncor $190 million. In phase two of Project Millennium, there would be elaboration of the Steepbank Mine to expand their extraction rates, upgrade plants to be able to meet demand¹. Suncor had planned the second phase of Project Millennium to cost them $2 billion with 220 000 barrels in return by 2002.

SHELL CANADA LIMITED

   The environment has been a big concern for humans due to the dramatic increase in the rate of climate changes. Shell Canada is a proud environmentally friendly company, coming up with more and more innovations to save the only planet humans have to reside on. Starting 1999, Shell's Waterton gas plant decreased the amount of wastewater they produced. Shell's petrochemical manufacturing plants also have some of the most advanced technology in the industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Shell has been a dynamic developer in petroleum and petrochemicals and advances with every step of the way.

KOCH CANADA LIMITED

   Being the largest exporter of Canadian crude oil, Koch was a top pick of UTS Energy's partnership in the oil sand project of Fort Hills. In the Fort Hills project, 78% interest was taken in leases in Fort Hills, 90 km north of Fort McMurray. Koch Canada has a good eye on the look for more profitable projects to get big bucks from.

IMPERIAL OIL LIMITED

   There are 2 500 Esso stations seen all around Canada. Imperial is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products in Canada. Imperial has had their seventh continuous year of increase in production since 1998². Imperial Oil owns and controls all of the operations in the Cold Lake oil sands development in Alberta, being the leading developer of Canada's oil sand resources.

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