<h2>
	The MacKay River Commercial Project</h2>
<h3>
	November 28, 2013</h3>
<p>
	Tony Hogan and his project team are building something really big. As the Senior Project Manager for Brion&rsquo;s MacKay River Commercial Project (MRCP), he is one of many people working to get the conventional steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) project ready for first steam in 2015. Phase one of the project is estimated to produce 35,000 barrels of oil per day (bbl/d), with three more phases to follow. Over its projected 45-year lifespan, the vast project is expected to recover 1.7 billion barrels of bitumen.</p>
<p>
	The MRCP is located in northeast Alberta&rsquo;s Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, about 30 kilometres northwest of Fort McMurray. Not only is the project located on a significant resource deposit, it is also close to Fort McMurray&rsquo;s established infrastructure&mdash;a great benefit when supporting a camp for several hundred people. Currently, almost 400 people work on-site with another 1,000 joining in 2014 taking the workforce to circa 1,400 at peak.</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;The engineering and procurement processes are now approximately 80% complete and in 2014 we will move into our major construction phase,&rdquo; says Mr. Hogan. WorleyParsons has been awarded the construction contract for fuel facilities and infield pipelines. Brion Energy is additionally close to awarding a similar construction contract for the central plant.</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;The startup group and operators will have a lot more work when construction of phase one is complete,&rdquo; he explains. &ldquo;At that time we will shift construction efforts to our Dover Commercial Project located 95 kilometres northwest of Fort McMurray.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	Brion will be hiring for various positions including project managers, construction managers, camp staff, logistics specialists, and health and safety support. All totaled, Brion plans to bring on more than 200 new people over the next 12-16 months to support MRCP.</p>
<p>
	The MRCP received regulatory approval in December 2011. The project contains 15 kilometres of fuel pipelines, nine well pads and 46 well pairs (a relatively low number of well pairs per pad). The equipment is heavily modularized, making it easy to dismantle, recalibrate and certify for future phases, in addition to being cost-effective over the long-term.</p>
<p>
	Brion Energy was established in 2010 as a joint venture between Athabasca Oil Corporation and PetroChina Company Limited. Brion is making bold strides in its aspirations to produce 400,000 bbl/d with minimal environmental impact.</p>
