Syncrude Canada Ltd. and Criterion Catalyst Canada Ltd. have formed a strategic business relationship to handle hydrotreating and hydroprocessing catalyst related activities. This ‘cradle to grave’ arrangement covers all aspects from catalyst development through to recycling of spent catalyst.
This comprehensive management strategy has benefits for both the user and the supplier. Syncrude's benefits relate to improved catalyst performance, streamlined business practices and other eficiencies that reduce costs, reduced exposure to environmental issues, and improved internal focus on its core business of producing Syncrude Sweet Blend (SSB) Crude Oil.
Criterion Catalyst Canada (and its affiliates) benefits relate to efficiencies obtained in shared long-range planning efforts that permit optimal raw materials purchasing and manufacturing plant scheduling. Further benefits are obtained in R&D efforts through the synergy of idea exchange among the Alliance researchers.
This relationship has been in place since 1994. The effort required by both parties to initiate and implement this ‘cradle to grave’ arrangement has been significant. The approach is not the ‘traditional’ way and is not always consistent with the work preferences of the personnel involved. Given that, the progress so far has been gratifying. Both parties have already benefited from the improved business interface. The tangible benefits to date relate to more cost effective ways of working together. Moreover, a plan is being followed that is using Syncrude expertise with oilsands based streams and operation, and Criterion's expertise in catalyst development and manufacturing to develop more effective catalysts for the Syncrude operation.
This paper will provide an insight into the incentives, successes to date and learning associated with implementing this type of relationship between catalyst user and supplier.
The Athabasca oil sands deposit situated in the northeast portion of Alberta, Canada covers an area of over 42000 km2 and contains an estimated 200 billion cubic metres of bitumen in place with potential recoverable crude reserves of more than 50 billion cubic metres. Syncrude Canada Ltd. (a joint venture owned by Alberta Energy Company Limited, AEC Oil Sands Limited Partnership, Athabasca Oil Sands Investments Inc., Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd., Canadian Oil Sands
