Calgary-based Suncor Energy Inc. saw its earnings jump in the first half of the year, as oil demand rose and the pandemic receded, resulting in the North American retail unit standing out as the growth star.

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Maintenance turnaround projects, which limited production and sales by the refineries and oilsands operations during 2020 and early this year, also have been mostly completed to pave the way for improving performance.

“We’ve ramped up our assets and are positioned for a strong second half of 2021,” said President Mark Little in announcing results for the first six months of 2021. 

The company also plans to spend around C$500 million ($400 million) or 10% of its annual C$5 billion ($4 billion) capital budgets for greenhouse gas reduction initiatives such as clean...