Oct 26 (Reuters) - Suncor Energy SU.TO :
* CEO says company has made progress towards resolving commercial dispute with Fort Hills partner Total SA TOTF.PA
* Expects to be operating 190,000 bpd Fort Hills oil sands plant at 90 percent capacity by this time next year
* Suncor CEO expects 2018 capital spending to be in C$4.5 billion to C$5 billion range
* CEO says unit 1 upgrader at oil sands base plant will undergo major turnaround next year, maintenance also planned at Edmonton refinery
* CEO says looking at using automated vehicles at Fort Hills oil sands plant to help reduce operating costs
* Says once Fort Hills operating, company will sell nearly 200,000 bpd of its production to third parties