Suncor and Syncrude—both pioneers in the oil sands—are coming together to lead the way forward in the region. On September 30, 2021, Syncrude was integrated into Suncor operatorship representing a stronger regional model and greater competitiveness across all assets.

While an important milestone in the process, this integration will take time to finalize. We know you have questions about the change in operatorship and that’s why we’ve created this page. Our intent is to provide some clarity about what we know now, while also committing to keeping the community updated as the integration unfolds.

Suncor and Syncrude have always been deeply committed to this community and this will continue. Our relationships with Indigenous communities and partners have been a priority, whether engaging about our operations or creating business opportunities. We are proudly leading our industry on many environmental initiatives, from reducing emissions to land reclamation, water use and biodiversity.

As neighbours for almost 50 years, Syncrude and Suncor have enjoyed a close relationship and a long, proud history in the region. We will continue supporting what matters most to our employees and neighbours. Under this new structure, Suncor and Syncrude will continue to drive economic growth in Alberta and Canada.

This integration will unlock improvements and benefit from the collective strength of Suncor and Syncrude’s regional operations while advancing our shared goal of responsibly developing Alberta’s valuable oil sands resource. Together, we can benefit from shared expertise, similar operations, and the regional proximity of our assets. Ensuring our operations remain regionally and globally competitive.

Initiatives like the bi-directional pipelines connecting Suncor’s Base Plant and Syncrude’s operations, have proven that by collaborating with a shared vision to improve operating performance and efficiencies, we can achieve more.

The integration presents a significant strategic opportunity. We believe this transition will help build on the progress made to date by both operations and unlock significant value.

As long-standing neighbours and community partners, Syncrude and Suncor are excited about the economic growth and prosperity for Alberta and the rest of Canada.

We know you have questions about change in operatorship and that is why we are committed to ongoing engagement as the integration progresses. There are many decisions still to be made and full integration will take time to complete. We remain committed to sharing updates with the community and our stakeholders as this work progresses. 

What are the benefits of this integration?

As neighbours for almost fifty years, we’ve enjoyed a close relationship and a long, proud history in the region.

We share a deep commitment to working closely with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Indigenous communities and partners. Suncor becoming the operator of Syncrude presents a significant strategic opportunity. It will help unlock improvements and benefit from the collective strength of our regional operations while advancing a shared goal of responsibly developing the oil sands.

Both companies can benefit from each other’s expertise, similar operations, and the regional proximity of our assets. This will also support Syncrude’s journey to become regionally and globally competitive through improved performance it could not have captured alone.

With many benefits already achieved, Suncor and Syncrude look forward to becoming stronger together.

Will Syncrude’s head office be moving to Calgary?

Syncrude will continue to be a Fort McMurray-based operation.

Will Syncrude be keeping its name?

Syncrude has a proud brand, culture and history that will be retained and respected as we build on those strengths to become stronger together.

What impact will the integration have on jobs in region?

Syncrude and Suncor are committed to putting people first throughout this process.

Syncrude is a large and complex operation and will continue to need a skilled workforce to operate it. There will be little to no change for the vast majority of the Syncrude workforce. However, through the transition process, some workforce efficiencies and reductions are anticipated. These will be achieved through attrition, redeployment, layoffs, or a combination of those approaches.

Can I still apply for a job at Syncrude?

During the transition, some positions will still be posted by Syncrude. Visit the career sections at Syncrude.ca and Suncor.com to learn about the latest opportunities. 

Will Syncrude continue to support the community through investments and partnerships?

Syncrude and Suncor’s community investments contribute in a major way to the region’s quality of life. Syncrude’s past commitments to the community will be honoured while Suncor and Syncrude work together on how best to support the region going forward.

Will this integration result in a strengthened commitment to environmental responsibility?

Suncor and Syncrude strive to be industry leaders in sustainable energy development. Together, we will leverage the decades of experience, expertise, and innovation that both bring to priority areas like land reclamation, air quality, and water and tailings management, to further improve our environmental performance.

Suncor Energy is Canada's leading integrated energy company, with a global team of over 13,000 people. Suncor's operations include oil sands development, production and upgrading, offshore oil and gas, petroleum refining in Canada and the US, and our national Petro-Canada retail distribution network (now including Canada’s Electric Highway™ - the first-ever coast-to-coast network of EV fast chargers).

Syncrude is one of the largest operators in Canada’s oil sands industry, with an over 55-year history of innovation. Based in Fort McMurray, and with a large research and development facility in Edmonton, Syncrude is known for pioneering many of the processes used in the industry, including an expanding suite of technologies to improve environmental and economic performance.

Suncor

Syncrude

Media

For more information on Suncor, visit our website or our contact us page for a complete list of contacts.

To learn more about Syncrude, visit our website or our contact us page for a complete list of contacts. 

Media inquiries can be sent to media@suncor.com. 

Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.