This study, initiated by Syncrude's Environmental Affairs Division, was undertaken: • to specify the objectives and structure of a socio-economic impact assessment program; • to determine information required to satisfy existing and anticipated requirements of government agencies and socio-economic impact assessment and to serve Syncrude's internal planning needs; • to review the methodology of socio-economic impact assessment; • to broadly assess the availability of information for socio-economic impact assessment. The effectiveness of Syncrude's planning for the contemplated expansion of its base plant could be enhanced by initiating a program for socioeconomic assessment at an early date. Such a program would provide: (a) a means for coping with uncertainty in the future socio-economic environment of the oil sands region; (b) a framework for developing Syncrude's social policies and programs; and (c) a vehicle for coordinating its socio-economic planning activities with those of the Northeast Alberta Regional Commission and other governmental agencies. Five alternative socio-economic impact assessment programs were evaluated from the viewpoint of their value for planning.