The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition Suncor Energy plans to pump billions into Alberta's oil sands next year, despite lower crude prices. The Globe's Jeff Lewis writes Suncor plans to spend between $7-billion and $8-billion next year, up from a projected $6.8-billion this year, chief executive officer Steve Williams said Thursday. The $13.5-billion joint venture at Fort Hills with Teck Resources and Total SA will add 180,000 barrels per day of new capacity; first oil is slated for 2017. The spending plans are the strongest signal yet that oil sands companies are prepared to wait out the current market rout. Analysts have said integrated companies with deep pockets such as Suncor are better equipped to withstand lower prices, in part because of the impact of a weaker Canadian dollar and stronger prices for oil sands crude. American benchmark West Texas Intermediate oil has dropped more than 20 per cent since June, and broker Goldman Sachs has forecast it could sink to $75 (U.S.) later next year. "If it went to levels in the $40s and $50s, of course we'd have to reflect, but right now nothing we see will cause us to change course on that capital budget," Mr. Williams added.