Have been told by a CNRL insider that they are no longer entertaining CVW technology... Did own DD and found:
1. CNRL are not mentioning CVW anymore in their latest "Technology and Innovation Case Studies" report (https://www.cnrl.com/sustainability/sustainability-reporting/).
2. From their 2022 Annual Tailings Management Report to the AER, submitted in April 2023 , they state the following on Page C-23:
7. Thickened NRU Tailings (NRUTT)
In 2022, Canadian Natural developed a scope for a novel tailings treatment facility to recover
naphtha and bitumen from NRU tailings prior to disposal, to improve tailings consolidation and
reduce disposal area emissions. Due to pending Intellectual Property considerations, details of the
novel process cannot be divulged at this time. The process has been evaluated via laboratory test
work to confirm technical feasibility, as well as provide inputs to design such as performance and
vessel sizing information. The majority of test work was completed in 2022, with some test work
still ongoing in 2023 for further process refinement. An updated facility estimate is expected at
the end of Q2 2023. Facility design is ready for detailed engineering.
Clearly looking at doing their own thing imo... Also checking with their IP lawyers that they do not interfere with CVW patents, but they would have checked this at least before going into FEED.