Cook joins North West with more than 35 years experience as a senior supply chain executive. He has substantial capital projects experience in the oil and gas industry as well as significant oil sands expertise and international experience. Prior to joining North West, he held significant supply chain management roles for projects including Shell AOSP, CNRL Horizon, and the Synenco Northern Lights Project.

"We are pleased to welcome such a seasoned individual to our team," said Gary Vassie, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, North West Upgrading. "Brian brings to North West an extensive and impressive industry background and will certainly add strength to one of the lifelines of successful project execution - supply chain management."

North West Upgrading Inc. is a Calgary-based, privately-owned company committed to building an independent, heavy oil upgrader in Sturgeon County, Alberta. The North West Upgrader will enhance the economic value of Alberta's bitumen and heavy oil production by producing light, low sulfur products and diluent. The Upgrader will have a total processing capacity of 231,000 barrels per day of blended feedstock over three phases. North West anticipates it will achieve start up for the first phase in 2011. All three phases are expected to be operating by 2015.