Shell boosting Canadian oil sands output

CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Shell Canada Ltd. plans to expand production of heavy crude oil at its Athabasca Oil Sands Project in Alberta.

The project is a surface mining operation currently producing about 155,000 barrels of bitumen per day. It began operations in April 2003, company officials said Thursday. The expansion aims to boost output by 100,000 barrels per day by 2010.

The expansion is expected to cost Shell, which holds a 60 percent stake in the project, and its partners about $10 billion.

Western Oil Sands LP and Chevron Corp. each hold a 20 percent stake in the project.