Partial bitumen upgrader could boost Alberta GDP by $505M, s

[Oscar]

Partial bitumen upgrader could boost Alberta GDP by $505M, study says

[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/o ... -1.3923061 ]

University of Calgary research paper touts emerging technology as economical 'middle ground'

CBC News Posted: Jan 05, 2017 5:54 PM MT Last Updated: Jan 05, 2017 5:54 PM MT

A study released Thursday argues that partially upgrading oilsands crude could be very profitable for Alberta.

An investment in the emerging technology of partial bitumen upgrading has the potential to pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the provincial economy, a University of Calgary study says.

A push to accelerate development of the technology — which would turn oilsands bitumen into medium-grade crude —was one of the recommendations made by the royalty review panel in 2015.

A report released Thursday by the U of C's School of Public Policy argues that even one partial upgrader, churning out 100,000 barrels per day, could boost Alberta's annual GDP by $505 million and create 179,000 person-years of employment.

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