Syncrude unit repair might take 1-2 months

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 2 -- Syncrude Canada Ltd. could take 1-2 months to repair a problem associated with odorous emissions at its Mildred Lake oil sands plant north of Fort McMurray, Alta., reported Canadian Oil Sands Trust.

The problem forced Syncrude to shut down a third-stage expansion that was starting up in May. Syncrude believes the problem relates to a coker flue-gas desulfurization unit using technology not applied before at the plant.

Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP) ordered the shutdown following complaints by Fort McMurray residents of strong odors (OGJ Online, May 22, 2006).

Canadian Oil Sands Trust, a partner, has lowered its outlook for 2006 Syncrude production to 90-100 million bbl. The estimate for second-quarter Syncrude production has been lowered to 22 million bbl from 24 million bbl.