Imperial Oil has chosen Finning as a mining mobile equipment supplier for the Kearl oil sands project. The ten-year agreement includes the supply of Caterpillar equipment, parts, specialized maintenance labour and training. The Kearl project is envisioned to be developed in three phases and could ultimately produce more than 300,000 barrels/d of bitumen. The first phase of the project, expected to begin production in late 2012 with total production to average 110,000 barrels/d, is anticipated to cost about $8 billion or approximately $4.50 per barrel to construct. (more…)