Suncor Energy reports repair work underway at oil sands upgrader
Suncor Energy Inc. reports that repairs are underway following a minor fire at one of the company’s two oil sands upgraders north of Fort McMurray. The fire occurred November 26 during start-up of a vacuum unit following completion of planned maintenance. There were no injuries and the fire was extinguished within minutes.
Repairs are targeted for completion in the next three to four weeks. With upgrader 2 expected to operate at reduced rates during this period, the company anticipates total oil sands production will average approximately 235,000 barrels per day (bpd) in December. Repairs are not expected to impact Suncor’s budget estimate of 300,000 bpd in 2009.
Year-to-date oil sands production at the end of November averaged approximately 227,000 bpd. The year-to-date production volume reflects a major planned maintenance shutdown in the second quarter of 2008.
Both the 2009 production budget estimate and November year-to-date production estimate are subject to adjustment. Actual 2008 production and the 2009 production outlook will be confirmed when Suncor’s fourth quarter results are released on January 21, 2009.
