The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, July 14, edition that Alberta, Ottawa and the five largest oil sands companies have signed an agreement to advance a major carbon-capture project in Northern Alberta, paving the way for increased crude production. The Globe's Emma Graney and Marieke Walsh write that the non-binding deal removes a hurdle for a new West Coast oil pipeline. It also paves the way for more financial support for Canada's largest oil sands producers to reduce emissions and boost production. The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed by provincial and federal governments in November, linking the new oil pipeline from Alberta to the West Coast with emissions reductions through the Pathways carbon capture project. However, the emissions reduction goals for Pathways have been significantly reduced from the original plan. The Globe says the new agreement -- signed July 2 but made public Monday -- signals support from governments and companies for financial and regulatory frameworks to enable sustained growth in oil sands development and production. The companies involved are Suncor Energy, Cenovus Energy, ConocoPhillips, Canadian Natural Resources and Imperial Oil.