Imperial to ‘revisit’ foreign input in oilsands

[CHIMO]

EDMONTON - Imperial Oil will “revisit” its decision to buy massive modules from South Korea when it comes time to order material for the future expansion of its Kearl oilsands, its chief executive said Wednesday.

After speaking at the National Buyer/Seller Forum, Bruce March said “we will this revisit this for the expansion,” but added that his firm’s focus right now is getting the modules — stalled at the inland port of Lewiston, Idaho, amid protests from residents — on the road to Fort McMurray as soon as possible.

Currently, the $8-billion Kearl mine and bitumen production project is on time, scheduled to open late next year. Some of the modules made inEdmonton — which represents 80 per cent of the fabrication work — are ready to be shipped.

“In Canada we have to do a better job of aligning our education system, our regulatory system and labour markets and our immigration system to ensure we have enough people for these major projects.”

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Imperial+revisit+foreign+input+oilsands/4531382/story.html