By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Oct. 18 -- Suncor Energy Inc., Calgary, said mechanical problems have forced a 10-day shutdown of its northern Alberta Project Millennium oil sands development.
Suncor will repair the fractionator and perform routine maintenance during the period.
It noted the base plant, which had been averaging about 115,000 b/d, will not be producing oil while the maintenance occurs.
The shutdown will affect the yearend production target, said Suncor. Details will be made available with the company's third quarter financial results Oct. 24.
However, Suncor said the ongoing $2.8 billion (Can.) expansion project -- which will increase the production capacity of the plant to 225,000 b/d by 2002 -- will not be affected.
Commissioning of the new facilities is proceeding on schedule, and the hydrogen plant recently went into production. Suncor has started up the Millennium cokers and is generating some oil from the new plant.