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.