CALGARY, Alberta, April 4 (UPI) -- The intensity of carbon dioxide emissions tied to oil sands production in Canada declined more than 20 percent, Norwegian energy company Statoil said.
Stataoil published its annual oil sands report for 2012, saying it increased oil production from Canadian tar sands fields more than 60 percent while time reducing CO2 intensity.
"We are proud of the results we have achieved and are encouraged to continue our efforts to reach our ambitious targets," regional Vice President for Statoil Stale Tungesvik said Thursday.
Production from the Leismer project in Alberta averaged 16,300 barrels per day for Statoil.
Tungesvik said Statoil aims to reduce CO2 emissions per barrel by 40 percent of baseline levels by 2025. Statoil estimates CO2 emissions per barrel last year were more than 20 percent less than the previous year.
"Statoil will continue to report publicly on our performance and progress on reaching our targets for responsible development of our oil sands assets," he said.
Tar sands production is seen as more carbon-intensive than conventional oil. U.S. and Canadian environmental groups have expressed concern that its corrosive nature makes pipeline transit dangerous.
