Suncor resumes full oil sands production following maintenance shutdown

June 20, 2003
Suncor Energy Inc., Fort McMurray, Alta., reported Thursday that operations at its original oil sands upgrading plant near Fort McMurry is ramping up to its full production capacity of 225,000 b/d of oil.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, June 20 -- Suncor Energy Inc., Fort McMurray, Alta., reported Thursday that operations at its original oil sands upgrading plant near Fort McMurry is ramping up to its full production capacity of 225,000 b/d of oil.

The facility had been shut down since May 19 for maintenance on its upgrader unit No.1. During the shutdown, Suncor also commissioned a new $80-million fractionator, which is expected to improve reliability.
Production during the unit shutdown had averaged about 110,000 b/d.

"The maintenance shutdown was an enormous task," said Mike Ashar, Suncor's Executive Vice-Pres., Oil Sands. "About 3,000 maintenance contractors worked alongside Suncor employees to get the job done safely."

Suncor said it has delayed returning one unit in Upgrader 1 by 3 weeks to conduct additional repairs to the hydrogen plant.