Natural Gas is Shell’s Fuel of Choice for the Oil Sands

Global oil giant is using natural gas to fuel its operations in the oil sands.

| More on:
The Motley Fool

Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-A) believes it has found a real win-win solution for its Canadian oil sands mining operations. The global energy giant is teaming up with Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) on new mining trucks that will run on natural gas. By making the switch, Royal Dutch Shell can cut both expenses and emissions.

The plan is to have the Caterpillar built trucks deployed by 2016. Shell is just one of the mining equipment giant’s customers that are increasingly asking for trucks that are built to run on natural gas. It makes a lot of sense, and will save a lot of cents as these giant mining trucks run around the clock while consuming an enormous amount of fuel. Further, because diesel doesn’t burn as cleanly as natural gas Shell and others can really cut emissions by making the switch.

Caterpillar is really beginning to see the fruits of an agreement it signed with Westport Innovations (TSX: WPT) (NASDAQ: WPRT) last year. The deal to co-develop natural gas technology for off-road equipment like mining trucks looks to be a smart move for both companies. By combining Westport Innovations’ technologies and expertise with Caterpillar’s off-road engine and machine product know-how, the partners are poised to deliver a solution that mining companies need.

Massive opportunity

The opportunity for companies like Westport and Caterpillar to switch mining companies to natural gas is massive. The top ten global mining companies consume about two billion gallons of diesel each year. Further, with the growth of mining operations in Canada’s oil sands that’s only expected to grow.

Shell and its partners in the region are just one of many producers considering additional oil sands projects. While Shell has not made a final investment decision to expand its Jackpine Mine, other producers are approving projects. Recently Suncor (TSX: SU) (NYSE: SU) and its partners approved the Fort Hills oil sands mining project. The Suncor operated mining project is expected to produce bitumen for the next 50 years.

One of the issues that Suncor and others have faced is the steep cost of building these projects. Further, oil produced in Western Canada sells at a discount to world prices which negatively impacts the returns these projects produce. However, using natural gas to reduce costs will help improve margins. Which is why we’ll likely see that fuel become the fuel of choice for oil sands miners in the future. It’s cheap and abundant in Canada making it the perfect choice for producers.

Investor takeaway

Canada’s oil sands have proved tougher to develop because of the lack of pipeline capacity as well as the pressure put on the industry by environmentalists. While Shell’s move doesn’t help the company get around the pipeline issues, it will help it reduce its emissions. While that alone won’t ease the fears of environmentalists, it is a step in the right direction. That’s why this really is a smart move by the company and one I expect we’ll see others follow.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Matt DiLallo owns shares of Westport Innovations.  The Motley Fool owns shares of Westport Innovations.

More on Investing

A cannabis plant grows.
Cannabis Stocks

Canopy Growth Stock Is Rising But I’m Worried About This One Thing

Canopy Growth stock is soaring as the legalization effort makes real progress in both Germany and the United States.

Read more »

young woman celebrating a victory while working with mobile phone in the office
Investing

3 Roaring Stocks to Hold for the Next 20 Years

These top TSX stocks are excellent long-term buys, given their multi-year growth potential and solid underlying businesses.

Read more »

Two seniors float in a pool.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: How to Earn $1,890 in Annual Tax-Free Income

Plunk these investments into your TFSA to earn passive income and avoid the taxman.

Read more »

grow dividends
Investing

Here’s My Top 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Right Now

Even though the TSX has been rising, there are still some good bargains out there. Here are three top compounding…

Read more »

Target. Stand out from the crowd
Investing

Prediction: This Canadian Growth Stock Could Double by 2030

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) is a top growth stock that could do well over the next six or so years.

Read more »

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

Could Investing $20,000 in Nvidia Make You a Millionaire?

Nvidia stock has made investors millionaires in the last 10 years. Is it too late to invest to become a…

Read more »

Engineers walk through a facility.
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Stock I Wouldn’t Touch With a 10-Foot Pole

AtkinsRéalis (TSX:ATRL) is one TSX stock I'd never invest in.

Read more »

money cash dividends
Stocks for Beginners

Have $500? 3 Absurdly Cheap Stocks Long-Term Investors Should Buy Right Now

If you're looking for cheap stocks, these three have a huge future ahead of them, all while costing far less…

Read more »