THE VOICE OF THE CANADIAN

MINING INDUSTRY SINCE 1935

Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Syncrude is one of the largest operations in Canada’s oil sands industry, with a long history of responsible development. This is reflected through its support for local communities, Indigenous inclusion, continued improvement in environmental performance, and an emphasis on a safe, healthy and respectful workplace.

The Syncrude operation incorporates technologically advanced oil sands mines, and extraction, upgrading and utilities facilities at two sites north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Current production capacity is 350,000 barrels of high quality, light, low sulphur crude oil per day.

A culture of innovation drives continued progress, resulting in recent investments totaling over $3 billion in tailings treatment processes, fen wetland reclamation and air emissions reductions. Syncrude consistently ranks among the top R&D spenders in Canada and collaborates with industry partners through Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA).

The Syncrude Project is a Joint Venture undertaking among Suncor Energy Inc., Imperial Oil Resources Limited; Sinopec Oil Sands Partnership; and CNOOC Oil Sands Canada. Suncor’s interest is held by Canadian Oil Sands Partnership #1 and Suncor Energy Ventures Partnership, both wholly owned affiliates of Suncor Energy Inc., as the project owners (the “Owners”). Suncor Energy (Syncrude) Operating Inc. is the project operator. 

Highlights of Syncrude’s 2022 TSM results include:

Indigenous and Community Relationships

Verified at Level AAA in all areas, Syncrude has a long history of effective engagement and consultation. Syncrude has been accredited at Gold Level status in the Progressive Aboriginal Relations program of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business eight consecutive times. In 2021, 10.6 per cent of the operation’s workforce were of self-declared Indigenous descent and 27% ($973 million) of Syncrude’s overall spend was with Indigenous suppliers.

Biodiversity Conservation Management

Level AAA was achieved for all three indicators. Syncrude’s management of biodiversity includes extensive evaluation, monitoring, Indigenous engagement and reporting programs supported by progressive reclamation practices that have resulted in over 5,000 hectares of land reclaimed from mining operations to date. In 2019, Syncrude joined the governments of Alberta and Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Tallcree First Nation to establish the Birch River Wildland Provincial Park, creating the world’s largest protected area of boreal forest.

Crisis Management and Communications Planning

Syncrude scored “Yes” in all indicators of this protocol. Extensive emergency response planning is in place and emergency event simulations are conducted to ensure the quality of those plans and verify that personnel are fully trained and equipped to execute them. Pre-plans exist for all medium and high-level risks, and spokespeople are identified and trained.

Energy and GHG Emissions Management

Syncrude’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) strategy incorporates concentrated efforts to ensure the reliability of equipment, implementing new technologies and energy efficiency programs, and considering projects to offset emissions. For this protocol, Syncrude’s energy and GHG management and reporting systems achieved Level AAA ratings. The operation’s GHG target was not met in 2021 and is reflected in the B rating for performance.

Safety and Health

Syncrude was assessed at AAA in four of five indicators which is reflective of the operation’s commitment to sustain and improve safety, health and environmental performance. The AA rating in the Performance indicator confirms a strong performance management system with established targets for both leading and lagging indicators.

Tailings Management

Syncrude has long recognized the value of the Tailings Management protocol and has undergone an external audit to ensure high performance. Level AA ratings were achieved across all indicators, confirming Syncrude’s strong commitment to tailings facility integrity, emergency preparedness and responsible operations.

Water Stewardship

Syncrude has a demonstrated and strong commitment to responsible water use, and this is particularly reflected through monthly stewardship and operation-wide Key Performance Indicators. Syncrude scored A ratings in the indicators for Governance, Operational Water Management, and Performance and Reporting. Higher ratings were not achieved due to the requirement of internal or external audits at A and AA levels. For the Watershed-Scale Planning indicator, Syncrude was assessed at AAA.

For more information on Syncrude’s sustainability performance, visit www.suncor.com/en-ca/sustainability/sustainability-reporting.

Self-Assessed Results

2022 TSM Results

Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Crisis Management and Communications Planning Assessment
Facility Crisis management and communications preparednessReviewTraining
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Results as of: Dec 23, 2022
Preventing Child and Forced Labour Assessment
Facility PREVENTING FORCED LABOURPREVENTING CHILD LABOUR
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Results as of: Feb 17, 2021
Note: These requirements are assessed every three years during the external verification.
Safety and Health Assessment
Commitments and accountabilityPlanning and implementationTraining, behaviour and cultureMonitoring and reportingPerformance
Syncrude Canada Ltd.

AAA

AA

A

B

C

Results as of: Dec 23, 2022
Tailings Management Assessment
Tailings management policy and commitmentTailings management systemAssigned accountability and responsibilityAnnual tailings management reviewOperation, maintenance and surveillance (OMS) manual
Syncrude Canada Ltd.

AAA

AA

A

B

C

Results as of: Dec 23, 2022
Biodiversity Conservation Management Assessment
Commitment, accountability and communicationsConservation planning and implementationReporting
Syncrude Canada Ltd.

AAA

AA

A

B

C

Results as of: Dec 23, 2022
Energy and GHG Emissions Management Assessment
Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions managementEnergy use and greenhouse gas emissions reporting systemsEnergy and greenhouse gas emissions performance targets
Syncrude Canada Ltd.

AAA

AA

A

B

C

Results as of: Dec 23, 2022
Water Stewardship Assessment
Water governanceOperational water managementWatershed-scale planningWater reporting and performance
Syncrude Canada Ltd.

AAA

AA

A

B

C

Results as of: Dec 23, 2022
Indigenous and Community Relationships
Community of Interest IdentificationEffective Community of Interest Engagement and DialogueEffective Indigenous Engagement and DialogueCommunity Impact and Benefit ManagementCommunity of Interest Response Mechanism
Syncrude Canada Ltd.

AAA

AA

A

B

C

Results as of: Dec 23, 2022
Energy Use & Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Data
Facility Total Direct Emissions (Tonnes CO2e)Total Indirect Emissions (Tonnes CO2e)Total EmissionsTotal Energy Use (GJ)
Syncrude Canada Ltd.124760001173012487730154620000
Results as of: Dec 23, 2022

Letters of Assurance

Syncrude Canada Ltd. | 2019 | TSM Letter of Assurance

Syncrude Canada Ltd. | 2016 | TSM Letter of Assurance

Syncrude Canada Ltd. | 2013 | TSM Letter of Assurance

Syncrude Canada Ltd. | 2007 | TSM Letter of Assurance

Syncrude Canada Ltd. | 2006 | TSM Letter of Assurance





Historical TSM Results

TSM Results 2022

TSM Results 2021

- Before Revision (2022-01-04)

- Before Revision (2022-01-04)

- Before Revision (2022-01-04)

- Before Revision (2022-01-04)

- Before Revision (2022-01-04)

- Before Revision (2022-01-04)

- Before Revision (2022-01-04)

TSM Results 2019 (Externally Verified)

- Before Revision (2021-12-17)

TSM Results 2018

- Before Revision (2021-12-17)

TSM Results 2017

- Before Revision (2021-12-17)

TSM Results 2016 (Externally Verified)

TSM Results 2015

TSM Results 2014

TSM Results 2013

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