The Hydrocarbon Upgrading Task Force (HUTF) Vision
Vision: To achieve a competitive hydrocarbon upgrading industry through refining and petrochemical plants that expand the markets for Alberta’s oilsands resource and produces higher valued products in Alberta.
The HUTF identifies key indicators of success as the following:
- World-scale integrated industrial complexes that upgrade oilsands to produce competitively priced, higher value products such as synthetic crude oil, base and specialty chemicals and other refined products.
- Oil sands production reaches three million barrels per day with a significant portion upgraded in Alberta.
- Flexible manufacturing and transportation infrastructure provides broad access to various markets.
- Albertans benefit from increased resource royalties, a higher tax base, a well-paid and skilled workforce and an increased proportion of higher value product exports.
The task force consists of 119 members from 85 organizations representing government and industry (including oilsands producers, refiners, and petrochemical stakeholders).
Connections to Other Provincial Initiatives
The HUFT is consistant with both the Provincial Energy Strategy(August 2009) and Responsible Actions: A Plan Alberta’s Oil sands
(February 2009) in its outcomes and deliverables.
Key shared deliverables:
- Extend Alberta’s role in the oil sands value-chain through the development of value-added upgrading, refining, and petrochemical facilities.
- Increase Alberta’s oil sands international market access
- Ensure oil sands development enhances Alberta’s knowledge-based and higher value export economies
