Syncrude prepares to restart coker-
Strategy in place to mitigate odour concerns

7/6/2006

(Fort McMurray, Alberta) - Syncrude will commence start-up activities on Monday, July 10th for its Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) Unit and other associated operating units. This work is expected to take several weeks prior to the units reaching full operation.

Syncrude obtained regulatory approval from Alberta Environment to resume operations of the facilities after investigating the source of odours, which impacted the communities of Fort McKay and Fort McMurray, and establishing facilities modifications and other steps to help prevent a similar occurrence.

The start-up will be conducted in a gradual, phased manner to mitigate and monitor potential odour concerns from the operation of Syncrude’s expansion facilities. The FGD will initially go online by treating tail gas from Syncrude’s sulphur recovery plants.  Once the FGD successfully commences operations and achieves reliable operations in that initial stage, feed will be introduced into Coker 8-3. This is expected to occur in late July.

Syncrude continues to conduct thorough consultations with local stakeholders on this process and have reviewed the startup plans with these groups.

There remains the possibility that some odours may be noticeable during the July start-up period although Syncrude is making every effort to ensure this work is completed safely and without any impacts on people in neighbouring communities

If you have any concerns about odours during the start-up period, they may be directed to the 24-hour Alberta Environment Hotline at 1-800-222-6514.  Health related concerns should be directed to Alberta HealthLink at 1-866-488-LINK (5465).

Syncrude’s new Flue Gas Desuphurization Unit is an important part of our commitment to improve our environmental performance, and we thank all of our neighbours for your patience and understanding during this transitional start-up period.

Please check Syncrude’s web site for regular operational updates at www.syncrude.com

Joint Venture Ownership

The Syncrude Project is a joint venture operated by Syncrude Canada Ltd. and owned by Canadian Oil Sands Limited, ConocoPhillips Oilsands Partnership II, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Limited, Murphy Oil Company Ltd., Nexen Oil Sands Partnership, and Petro-Canada Oil and Gas.

Trading Symbols for Public Syncrude Joint Venture Owners:

Canadian Oil Sands Trust (via Canadian Oil Sands Limited and Canadian Oil Sands Limited Partnership)	COS.UN – TSX
ConocoPhillips Oilsands Partnership II (wholly owned by ConocoPhillips)	COP – NYSE
Imperial Oil Resources	IMO – TSX/AMEX
Murphy Oil Company Ltd.	MUR – NYSE
Nexen Inc.	NXY – TSX/NYSE
Petro-Canada	PCA – TSX/PCZ – NYSE

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