Projects / Base Plant

Base Plant

Suncor Energy Inc.
Turnaround in model: Nov 2026 (+15.0 kb/d, Suncor Base Plant Q4 bitumen maintenance)Integrated (mine + upgrader)SU

OperatorSuncor Energy Inc.
TypeIntegrated (mine + upgrader)
TickerSU
ST53 schemenot in ST53
DescriptionBase Plant (Oil Sands Base) is Suncor's integrated mining and upgrading complex north of Fort McMurray. Mined bitumen is upgraded on site to synthetic crude oil (SCO). It is part of Suncor's Oil Sands Operations segment and connects to the Syncrude and Fort Hills assets via bi-directional interconnecting pipelines brought into service in Q4 2020.
Source: Suncor Energy, Suncor reports fourth quarter 2020 results, 2021-02-09
Source: Suncor Energy, Q4 2025 investor presentation
StatusOperating.
Nameplate capacityUpgrader capacity of 350,000 bbl/d of SCO.
Source: Suncor Energy, Q4 2025 investor presentation

Base Mine production was 262,000 bbl/d of bitumen in 2025.
Source: Suncor Energy, Q4 2025 investor presentation

Convention (confirmed 2026-09-23): mine-bitumen capacity and upgrader SCO capacity are kept as separate lines in the model and on the project page, never blended into a single capacity figure.
Start-up / phasesnot tracked in the public data used here
Ownership / JV splitSuncor Energy Inc. owns 100% and operates Base Plant.
Source: Suncor Energy, Q4 2025 investor presentation
Product and dispositionSCO from the upgrader; mined bitumen to the upgrader (froth treatment NFT: upgrader-locked, cannot meet pipeline dilbit spec)
Source: annotations/maintenance_disposition_history.md
Process / technologyOpen-pit mining with naphtha froth treatment (NFT); mined bitumen is upgrader-locked and is upgraded on site to SCO. Note: NFT classification is secondary-sourced research.
Source: project technology research compilation, 2026-09-23
Froth treatmentNFT (naphthenic froth treatment): upgrader-locked
Source: annotations/maintenance_disposition_history.md
InterconnectsSuncor-Syncrude bi-directional interconnects (in service ~2020/21): bitumen can flow either way
Source: annotations/maintenance_disposition_history.md
Growth / expansionsNo sanctioned capacity expansion disclosed in reviewed sources. Suncor disclosed a cogeneration project at Oil Sands Base to replace existing coke-fired boilers (part of its environmental and free-funds-flow program).
Source: Suncor Energy, Suncor reports fourth quarter 2020 results, 2021-02-09
Company-disclosed maintenanceSuncor's 2026 corporate guidance disclosed maintenance at Base Plant with a quarterly production and cost effect. Specific duration not disclosed.
Source: Suncor Energy, Suncor Energy announces 2026 corporate guidance, 2025-12-11

The Upgrader 2 major five-year turnaround was completed in 2023; the Base Plant upgrader achieved 90% full-year utilization in 2023 including that turnaround.
Source: Suncor Energy, Suncor Energy achieves 2023 upstream production corporate guidance, 2024-01-03
Operating costsPer-barrel operating cost for Base Plant specifically: not disclosed. Suncor's 2026 Oil Sands Operations cost guidance (Base Plant, Firebag, MacKay River) is $26 to $29/bbl.
Source: Suncor Energy, Suncor Energy announces 2026 corporate guidance, 2025-12-11

Blank "not tracked" cells are facts not present in the public data used here. They are labeled, never estimated. Filing-sourced facts carry their document name and date; where sources disclose multiple bases for one figure, all are shown.

Production

232.8 kb/d
latest actual, May 2026 (Suncor OSG)
262.1 kb/d
12-month forecast average, Oct 2026 to Sep 2027
Suncor OSG monthly production Suncor OSG monthly production kb/d 0.0 125.0 250.0 375.0 500.0 Aug 25: 257.6 kb/d Sep 25: 313.2 kb/d Oct 25: 261.1 kb/d Nov 25: 305.5 kb/d Dec 25: 318.6 kb/d Jan 26: 274.7 kb/d Feb 26: 231.7 kb/d Mar 26: 264.9 kb/d Apr 26: 244.9 kb/d May 26: 232.8 kb/d Aug 26: 290.7 kb/d Sep 26: 240.3 kb/d Oct 26: 205.4 kb/d Nov 26: 294.4 kb/d Dec 26: 315.1 kb/d Jan 27: 267.2 kb/d Feb 27: 263.0 kb/d Mar 27: 287.4 kb/d Apr 27: 273.5 kb/d May 27: 198.2 kb/d Jun 27: 219.7 kb/d Jul 27: 290.8 kb/d Aug 27: 290.7 kb/d Sep 27: 240.3 kb/d 240.3 Aug 25 Oct 25 Dec 25 Feb 26 Apr 26 Jun 26 Aug 26 Oct 26 Dec 26 Feb 27 Apr 27 Jun 27 Aug 27 Sep 27
Vintage: AER ST53 actuals through 2026-07 (ST39 through 2026-05), pulled 2026-09-22; Aug-Sep 2026 nowcast estimated, built 2026-09-23; forecast built 2026-09-22. Solid orange shading marks months with modeled maintenance on this series. Series: Suncor OSG.
Actuals (AER)Nowcast (model est.)Forecast (model)Modeled maintenance month
Suncor OSG monthly production Suncor OSG monthly production kb/d 0.0 125.0 250.0 375.0 500.0 Aug 25: 368.3 kb/d Sep 25: 389.4 kb/d Oct 25: 381.4 kb/d Nov 25: 378.2 kb/d Dec 25: 328.8 kb/d Jan 26: 373.3 kb/d Feb 26: 372.7 kb/d Mar 26: 381.8 kb/d Apr 26: 340.3 kb/d May 26: 244.0 kb/d Aug 26: 380.0 kb/d Sep 26: 334.6 kb/d Oct 26: 288.3 kb/d Nov 26: 387.0 kb/d Dec 26: 387.6 kb/d Jan 27: 367.5 kb/d Feb 27: 365.6 kb/d Mar 27: 385.7 kb/d Apr 27: 386.5 kb/d May 27: 310.2 kb/d Jun 27: 308.2 kb/d Jul 27: 367.3 kb/d Aug 27: 372.8 kb/d Sep 27: 285.3 kb/d 285.3 Aug 25 Oct 25 Dec 25 Feb 26 Apr 26 Jun 26 Aug 26 Oct 26 Dec 26 Feb 27 Apr 27 Jun 27 Aug 27 Sep 27
Vintage: AER ST53 actuals through 2026-07 (ST39 through 2026-05), pulled 2026-09-22; Aug-Sep 2026 nowcast estimated, built 2026-09-23; forecast built 2026-09-22. Solid orange shading marks months with modeled maintenance on this series. Series: Suncor OSG.
Actuals (AER)Nowcast (model est.)Forecast (model)Modeled maintenance month
Latest actuals (kb/d)
SeriesFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 2026May 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026
Suncor OSG231.7264.9244.9232.8n/an/a
Suncor OSG372.7381.8340.3244.0n/an/a
First forecast months (kb/d)
SeriesOct 2026Nov 2026Dec 2026Jan 2027Feb 2027Mar 2027
Suncor OSG205.4294.4315.1267.2263.0287.4
Suncor OSG288.3387.0387.6367.5365.6385.7

Full 26-month table with drill-down lives in the trading dashboard. Blank cells are months AER has not published yet, not zeros.

How to read Suncor OSG: Suncor Energy Inc. facility. Actuals through 2026-05; Jun-Jul 2026 are blank until AER publishes them. The forecast repeats this plant's own seasonality; the pro-rata scaling only changes the level so the drill-down ties to the approved aggregate. Maintenance modeled down at this leaf: Suncor Base Plant Q4 bitumen maintenance, Nov 2026 -15 kb/d (quarterly event-rate; timing within Q4 unpublished, placed mid-quarter). Source: Suncor 2026 planned maintenance table (Q1 2026 investor presentation, 2026-04-01).

How to read Suncor OSG: Suncor Energy Inc. facility. Actuals through 2026-05; Jun-Jul 2026 are blank until AER publishes them. The forecast repeats this plant's own seasonality; the pro-rata scaling only changes the level so the drill-down ties to the approved aggregate. Maintenance modeled down at this leaf: Suncor Base Plant Q4 SCO and diesel maintenance, Nov 2026 -5 kb/d. Source: Suncor 2026 planned maintenance table (Q1 2026 investor presentation, 2026-04-01). Coker 8-2 redirect (approved 2026-09-23): this upgrader leaf carries a positive SCO offset for Syncrude bitumen redirected via the Suncor-Syncrude interconnect. Redirected bitumen = SCO_drop/0.843 (Syncrude observed yield) minus the mined dial-back, converted at 0.87 SCO yield. 2026-08: +7.2 kb/d (capped at +7.2: baseline 372.8 + uncapped 19.1 = 391.9 exceeded the 380.0 kb/d demonstrated headroom (Q1 2026 precedent, ~380 at 108% of ~350 nameplate); the uncaptured 11.9 kb/d SCO (13.7 kb/d bitumen) is not modeled); 2026-09: +49.3 kb/d; 2026-10: +14.3 kb/d. Source: interconnect precedent Q1 2026 (16.4 kb/d Syncrude bitumen to Base, Base at 108% utilization).

Maintenance

In the model math

Forward calendar (Oct 2026 to Sep 2027)

TimingEventImpact kb/dStandingSource
Oct 2026 to Dec 2026 (quarter precision)Turnaround-15.0Public confirmedSuncor Energy Inc., 2026 planned maintenance table (Q4 2025 / Q1 2026 investor presentations) (2026-04-01)
Oct 2026 to Dec 2026 (quarter precision)Turnaround-5.0Public confirmedSuncor Energy Inc., 2026 planned maintenance table (Q4 2025 / Q1 2026 investor presentations) (2026-04-01)

Pattern-indicated entries are indicators only: they carry no volume and never enter model math. Math requires public-confirmed guidance.

Outlook

Named assumptions: Suncor Energy Inc. facility. Actuals through 2026-05; Jun-Jul 2026 are blank until AER publishes them. The forecast repeats this plant's own seasonality; the pro-rata scaling only changes the level so the drill-down ties to the approved aggregate. Maintenance modeled down at this leaf: Suncor Base Plant Q4 bitumen maintenance, Nov 2026 -15 kb/d (quarterly event-rate; timing within Q4 unpublished, placed mid-quarter). Source: Suncor 2026 planned maintenance table (Q1 2026 investor presentation, 2026-04-01).

Named assumptions: Suncor Energy Inc. facility. Actuals through 2026-05; Jun-Jul 2026 are blank until AER publishes them. The forecast repeats this plant's own seasonality; the pro-rata scaling only changes the level so the drill-down ties to the approved aggregate. Maintenance modeled down at this leaf: Suncor Base Plant Q4 SCO and diesel maintenance, Nov 2026 -5 kb/d. Source: Suncor 2026 planned maintenance table (Q1 2026 investor presentation, 2026-04-01). Coker 8-2 redirect (approved 2026-09-23): this upgrader leaf carries a positive SCO offset for Syncrude bitumen redirected via the Suncor-Syncrude interconnect. Redirected bitumen = SCO_drop/0.843 (Syncrude observed yield) minus the mined dial-back, converted at 0.87 SCO yield. 2026-08: +7.2 kb/d (capped at +7.2: baseline 372.8 + uncapped 19.1 = 391.9 exceeded the 380.0 kb/d demonstrated headroom (Q1 2026 precedent, ~380 at 108% of ~350 nameplate); the uncaptured 11.9 kb/d SCO (13.7 kb/d bitumen) is not modeled); 2026-09: +49.3 kb/d; 2026-10: +14.3 kb/d. Source: interconnect precedent Q1 2026 (16.4 kb/d Syncrude bitumen to Base, Base at 108% utilization).

Confirmation status: model forecast; maintenance impacts enter the math only from public-confirmed guidance.

Market relevance

Base Plant SCO averages 351.0 kb/d over the forecast. At interconnected Suncor/Syncrude sites the model redirects part of the mine rate via the bi-directional interconnect during upgrader outages (Q1 2026 precedent), and flexible SAGD/PFT barrels tilt toward dilbit. Modeled maintenance peaks at Nov 2026 (+15.0 kb/d).

Basis: model-derived from the dashboard series above; no external view is added.

Related weekly notes

Sources

Suncor OSG
Source: AER ST39, oil-sands plant data (mined bitumen and SCO by facility)
Vintage: AER ST39 actuals through 2026-05, pulled 2026-09-22; forecast model _seasonal_baseline, built 2026-09-22; model nowcast (_seasonal_baseline + confirmed maintenance), built 2026-09-23
Method: actuals: ST39 plant reported. forecast: seasonal baseline, scaled pro-rata to tie to the ST3 mined bitumen line. Confirmed maintenance is deducted at this leaf after the baseline (see Why).

Suncor OSG
Source: AER ST39, oil-sands plant data (mined bitumen and SCO by facility)
Vintage: AER ST39 actuals through 2026-05, pulled 2026-09-22; forecast model _seasonal_baseline, built 2026-09-22; model nowcast (_seasonal_baseline + confirmed maintenance), built 2026-09-23
Method: actuals: ST39 plant reported. forecast: seasonal baseline, scaled pro-rata to tie to the ST3 upgraded production (SCO) line. Confirmed maintenance is deducted at this leaf after the baseline (see Why).

Full citation block

Sources
PublisherDatasetURLPublishedVintage / coverageRetrieved
Alberta Energy RegulatorST3: Alberta Energy Resource Industries Monthly Statisticshttps://www.aer.ca/data-and-performance/data-and-publications/statistical-reports/st3MonthlyActuals through 2026-07 (latest file vintage 2026-08-27)2026-09-22
Alberta Energy RegulatorST53: In-situ project data (BITUMEN sheet)https://www.aer.ca/data-and-performance/data-and-publications/statistical-reports/st53MonthlyActuals through 2026-072026-09-22
Alberta Energy RegulatorST39: Mine and upgrader facility dataURL not recorded in repoMonthlyActuals through 2026-052026-09-22
Canada Energy RegulatorPipeline throughput, capacity and apportionment (open data)https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/open/energy/throughput-capacity/Monthly, ~3-month lagJan 2018 to Jun 20262026-09-22
Company disclosuresQuarterlies, budget releases, investor presentations, earnings callsURLs per record in annotations/maintenance_forward.yamlAs publishedForward maintenance calendar window 2026-10-01 to 2027-09-30, compiled 2026-09-222026-09-22
Heavy Reading modelWCSB S&D dashboard build (21 granular leaves, grade layer, maintenance math)No public URL (repo build)Per buildForecast built 2026-09-22; Aug-Sep 2026 nowcast built 2026-09-232026-09-23

Every number on this page traces to a row above. Anything missing its own source line is flagged in place; nothing ships with an unsourced number.

Heavy Reading · the WCSB supply letter.
Public information only: AER ST3/ST39/ST53 and company disclosures via the WCSB S&D model. Nothing here is licensed data, so this page renders the same with or without ?public=1.