ConocoPhillips' (COP) expansion of its Wood River Refinery will be completed and startup production will begin in early 2011, the company's senior vice president for refining, marketing and transportation, said Wednesday.

Speaking at the company's annual analyst meeting in New York, Willie Chiang also said the project is currently entering its peak construction period.

The Houston-based crude oil and natural gas company operates the Wood River refinery as part of a joint venture with Canadian oil producer EnCana Corp. (ECA). The project at the Wood River refinery in Roxana, Illinois, will expand upgrading capacity as well as increase production of clean transportation fuels for the U.S. Midwest market.

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