Attention Business Editors:

OPTI Canada Announces Executive Appointments

    TSX: OPC

    CALGARY, Oct. 13 /CNW/ - OPTI Canada Inc. ("OPTI") is pleased to announce
the promotions of two members of its management team: Jim Arnold to Chief
Operating Officer and Peter Duda to Vice President, Operations. Both
appointments are effective immediately.
    "Currently, one of our primary focuses is the assembly of an outstanding
operating team as we approach the planned start-up of our Phase 1 Upgrader in
mid-2007," said Sid Dykstra, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are
extremely pleased to draw talent from within OPTI. Jim has been with OPTI
Canada since the beginning and instrumental in building the company that it is
today. Peter has extensive downstream experience, and has been building and
developing his operating team since early 2003."
    As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Arnold will be primarily responsible for
Company-operated activities that include the completion of construction of
Phase 1 of the Long Lake Project, as well as Upgrader commissioning, start-up
and operations. He will also hold responsibility for the development of future
phases of Upgrader development. Mr. Arnold will continue to report to Sid
Dykstra. Mr. Arnold established the Calgary office of OPTI Canada in 1999,
with the objective of developing integrated heavy oil and bitumen projects
utilizing OPTI's proprietary OrCrude(TM) technology, and has over 20 years of
experience in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Arnold holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical
Engineering from the University of Manitoba.
    Mr. Duda joined OPTI in early 2003 with over 23 years of experience,
focusing on refining and petrochemical plant operations both in Canada and
abroad. Recently, Mr. Duda relocated to Fort McMurray in preparation for the
commissioning, start-up and long-term operations of the Long Lake Upgrader. As
Vice President, Operations he will also be an integral part of operations
planning for future phases of growth. In his new role, Mr. Duda will continue
to report to Mr. Arnold. Mr. Duda holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from
the University of Alberta.

    About OPTI
    OPTI Canada Inc. is a Calgary, Alberta-based company focused on
developing integrated oil sands projects. The first is the fourth major
integrated oil sands project in Canada, the $3.5 billion Long Lake Project, in
a 50/50 joint venture with Nexen, Inc. The first phase of the Project consists
of 72,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) of SAGD (steam assisted gravity drainage)
bitumen production integrated with a $2.1 billion upgrading facility, operated
by OPTI, using OPTI's proprietary OrCrude(TM) process and commercially
available hydrocracking and gasification. Through gasification, this
configuration substantially reduces the exposure to and the need to purchase
natural gas. The Project is expected to produce 58,500 bbl/d of products,
primarily 39 degrees API premium sweet crude with low sulphur content, making
it a highly desirable refinery feedstock. First steam injection is scheduled
to commence in late 2006 and the Upgrader is scheduled to start up in the
third quarter of 2007. OPTI's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol OPC.
    Information about OPTI is available at http://www.opticanada.com.
Additional information regarding the Long Lake Project is available at
http://www.longlake.ca.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain information contained herein, including management's assessment
of OPTI's future plans and operations, contains forward-looking statements
that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The
Company believes that the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking
statements are reasonable based on information available to it on the date
such forward-looking statements are made. No assurances can be given as to
future results, levels of activity and achievements. Actual results may differ
materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking
statements. Material factors and assumptions relating to the forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, the following: market conditions,
law or government policy, operating conditions and costs, project schedules,
operating performance, demand for oil, gas and related products, price and
exchange rate fluctuations, commercial negotiations or other technical and
economic factors. All forward-looking statements, whether written or oral,
attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly
qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The Company
assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should
circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change. Additional
information about risks and uncertainties is contained in OPTI's current
annual information form which is available at www.sedar.com.

For further information: Alison Trollope, Investor Relations Manager, 
(403) 218-4705; OPTI Canada Inc., Suite 2100, 555 - 4th Ave. S.W., Calgary, 
Alberta, Canada T2P 3E7