The Shell Polaris carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Scotford, Alberta, is already delivering major economic impact, generating more than 2,000 jobs during its construction phase. The facility, located near Edmonton, will capture approximately 650,000 tons of CO₂ annually from Shell’s refinery and chemical plant, transporting emissions through a 22-kilometre pipeline to the Atlas storage complex for permanent underground sequestration. Construction began in late 2024, with commissioning expected in 2028.
Heavy-lift specialist Sarens has played a key role in the project’s early progress, transporting and installing several oversized process components. These include an Amine Absorber, an Amine Stripper, and a Quench Tower—each weighing over 866,000 lbs. The units were moved using two Kamag K25 platform trailers with 56 axle lines and hauled across local routes during an eight-hour operation.
Upon arrival on site, Sarens deployed a Demag CC6800 crawler crane to lift the 71-metre-tall absorber, assisted by a CC2800 tailing crane. Additional components were positioned using 24 Kamag K24 SPMTs.
Once operational, Polaris is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions from Shell’s Scotford refinery by more than 40% and cut emissions at the chemical plant by over 20%. The project also builds on the experience of the nearby Quest CCS facility, which has successfully stored more than nine million tons of CO₂ since 2015.
Sarens’ involvement reinforces its long-standing role in major Canadian infrastructure projects, including work on Scarborough General Hospital, Finch West Station, and Toronto’s Union Station.
