Fluor's project team worked with the client from the outset to develop scope and execution options. A value engineering review was conducted, leading to a 35% reduction in cost with no significant change in plant output.

Later, the project team prepared capital and operating cost estimates and provided support to overall schedule and execution plan development for project appropriations.

Engineering and procurement services were provided on budget and within schedule, including execution of a significant portion of design work in New Delhi, India.

The design represented the most extensive use of piperack and equipment modules on an Alberta oil sands project to date, with more than 65% of the piping located on more than 300 modules.

Procurement successes included 70% mill buys for piping materials while containing surplus materials to less than 3%.

Many logistics challenges were overcome, particularly in moving large and heavy pressure vessels procured from around the world. For example, a 652- ton reactor was shipped to the site using a unique jointed rail car after an ocean voyage from Japan to the head of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Other equipment was moved on a 62-car dedicated heavy haul rail shipment that, at 1.6 km long, was the longest such movement to date.

Our sulfur recovery/tail gas treating technology, offered throughout the industry, was licensed for the project.

Construction of the Sulfur Recovery Unit was performed by Fluor based on the design prepared by another contractor.

The Long Lake upgrader was completed in 2008 and is currently being operated by Nexen. We continued to provide engineering services.