Canada: Total sells a 10% interest in Fort Hills to Suncor

Total has signed an agreement to sell a 10% interest in the Fort Hills oil sands mining project to the operating partner Suncor Energy. The total aggregate consideration at the time of the announcement is C$ 310 million (around US$ 230 million). The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. “As a result of a full comparative analysis of its global asset portfolio in the context of lower oil prices, Total has decided to reduce its exposure to Canadian oil sands projects. Following the suspension of the Joslyn project at the beginning of 2015, the sale of this minority interest will reduce our Capex outlay in the Fort Hills project by over C$ 700 million (about US$ 530 million) from now until end-2017, and help us deliver on our global Capex reduction target”, said Arnaud Breuillac, President Exploration & Production. Upon closing, expected in the fourth quarter of 2015, Total will hold a 29.2% interest in the Fort Hills project, alongside Suncor Energy (50.8%, operator) and Teck Resources (20%). The sale also includes the transfer of a 10% interest in associated logistics in Alberta. Located in Alberta, Canada, some 90 kilometers north of Fort McMurray, Fort Hills has a planned capacity of 180,000 barrels per day. Construction activities are approximately 40% complete. The operator’s target is to start up the project by end-2017.