The approval covers three phases of expansion (F, G and H), which are expected to increase Foster Creek’s production capacity to 210,000 barrels per day (bbls/d) from the current 120,000bbls/d.
Each of the three phases is designed to add an additional 30,000bbls/d of oil production capacity to the Foster Creek facility.
Cenovus said that the next step for the expansion project is to receive endorsement from the Foster Creek/Christina Lake partnership with ConocoPhillips.
Engineering on phase F is already underway and preliminary ground work is expected to start soon.
First production from phase F is anticipated in 2014 and production from the other two phases is anticipated in 2016-2017.
A regulatory application for an additional Foster Creek expansion, phase I, is expected to be submitted by Cenovus in 2014.
