Suncor explores possibility of leaving oil in ground

The CEO of Suncor Energy says the company is discussing with the Alberta government the possibility of leaving some of itsoil in the ground.

Steve Williams says the energy giant is considering "stranding"some of its oilsands reserves if they are too expensive to produceor if they would add too much to their greenhouse gas emissionintensity levels.

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Williams says he's optimistic that the government will endorsethe idea, which runs counter to its traditional priority ondeveloping as much oil and gas resources by insisting companiesattempt to produce all recoverable barrels from their Crown-ownedleases.

Simon Dyer of the Pembina Institute says he supports the idea,adding that it could help reduce energy demand in the industry and bring down emissions.

Dyer says it won't be necessary to produce all of the crude inAlberta's oilsands if the world can switch to renewable forms of energy in the future.

Greenpeace campaigner Mike Hudema also welcomed the proposal butsays producers will have to leave behind more than just the oilthat's difficult to produce if they are sincere about reducingemissions.

In a sustainability report released earlier this week, Suncorvowed to reduce its overall emissions per barrel of oil and gas production by 30 per cent by 2030.