The Muskeg River Mine, the newest of the oil sands operations, is one of two operations of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) which is owned by Shell (60%), Chevron (20%) and Western (20%). The Muskeg River Mine is operated by Albian Sands Energy Inc. The other operation in the project is the Scotford Upgrader operated by Shell Canada Ltd. The Muskeg River Mine produces 155,000 barrels of oil per day and there are 700 employees and 600 contractors involved in the project.
The Albian Sands business model focuses on four areas:
It was on programs and practices for people that Celina focussed.
The technical skills required for many occupations at the Muskeg River Mine may be acquired through trade certification, college diploma or university degree. Other on the job skills are acquired through understanding of workplace health and safety codes and safety certification such as Confined Space Training (CSTS), Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHIMS) and Mine Driver Training.
Albian has been integral in the creation of a new career and education organization, the Community Careers Cooperative, and is supportive of the Registered Apprentices Partnership (RAP) program in high schools and the Alberta Aboriginal Apprenticeship Program. Albian hires based on merit and with a particular emphasis on the essential skills of team work; oral and written communication; and the thinking skills; problem solving, decision making and critical thinking. They are supportive of summer employment programs, new graduate programs and coop programs.